Critical core competencies for effective strategic leadership in project management
- Authors: Jowah, Enoch Larry
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Leadership -- Psychological aspects , Project management , Core competencies , Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017230
- Description: Project management is undeniably the fastest growing discipline as organizations move into the euphoria of projectification of their operations. Though projects have been a part of human life since time immemorial, there is a sudden realisation of the effectiveness of the methods used in project management. The enrolment of students studying for project management in tertiary institutions has shown tremendous increase. Yet the project execution process is mired by high failure rates and absence of clarity on the necessary skills required for effective project execution. The authority-gap in project management presents political and operational conflicts, and new innovative ways of authority-gap reduction need to be identified and taught in training programs. Simultaneously there is a realisation by both academics and practitioners that there is a difference between managers and leaders. Extensive studies on leadership have not allowed for a one-stop-leadership-style to be used in leadership of any form, let alone project leadership. In fact there is no standard definition of leadership as this has been heavily contextualized and thereby disallowing the creation of a universal definition. No cast-in-stone leadership styles are known and thereby leaving the research on leadership to concentrate on critical competencies required for effective leadership of projects. This study seeks to establish the core competencies needed by the project leaders and other practitioners to reduce the failure rate and maximise the benefits currently sought after by organisations. Studies have shown that the matrix structure within which the embedded projects work is a contributing factor to the failure of projects. Because projects are executed by people, it would be the proper utilisation of people’s talents and competencies that are expected to yield favourable results. Thus, whilst the matrix structure creates the authority-gap that presents a problem for effective project execution, management-by-projects still remains the best way known to add economic value to performance and productivity. The study therefore focuses on those characteristics of project leaders that will most likely make the difference in the way people perform in the workplace. The research findings emphasised the importance of empowerment of project managers and the development of their interpersonal skills of the project leader with special emphasis on extroversion, genuineness of senior management, and the responsiveness of the project leaders as important requirements for effective authority- gap reduction. These critical competencies will therefore facilitate the project execution process and enhance the empowered project leader’s ability to reduce the high project failure rate and high cost overruns. These competencies apply specifically to the human element as it relates to the role of the project leader and the interaction with the team members, this new knowledge needs to be introduced into training programs and project practitioners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Jowah, Enoch Larry
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Leadership -- Psychological aspects , Project management , Core competencies , Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017230
- Description: Project management is undeniably the fastest growing discipline as organizations move into the euphoria of projectification of their operations. Though projects have been a part of human life since time immemorial, there is a sudden realisation of the effectiveness of the methods used in project management. The enrolment of students studying for project management in tertiary institutions has shown tremendous increase. Yet the project execution process is mired by high failure rates and absence of clarity on the necessary skills required for effective project execution. The authority-gap in project management presents political and operational conflicts, and new innovative ways of authority-gap reduction need to be identified and taught in training programs. Simultaneously there is a realisation by both academics and practitioners that there is a difference between managers and leaders. Extensive studies on leadership have not allowed for a one-stop-leadership-style to be used in leadership of any form, let alone project leadership. In fact there is no standard definition of leadership as this has been heavily contextualized and thereby disallowing the creation of a universal definition. No cast-in-stone leadership styles are known and thereby leaving the research on leadership to concentrate on critical competencies required for effective leadership of projects. This study seeks to establish the core competencies needed by the project leaders and other practitioners to reduce the failure rate and maximise the benefits currently sought after by organisations. Studies have shown that the matrix structure within which the embedded projects work is a contributing factor to the failure of projects. Because projects are executed by people, it would be the proper utilisation of people’s talents and competencies that are expected to yield favourable results. Thus, whilst the matrix structure creates the authority-gap that presents a problem for effective project execution, management-by-projects still remains the best way known to add economic value to performance and productivity. The study therefore focuses on those characteristics of project leaders that will most likely make the difference in the way people perform in the workplace. The research findings emphasised the importance of empowerment of project managers and the development of their interpersonal skills of the project leader with special emphasis on extroversion, genuineness of senior management, and the responsiveness of the project leaders as important requirements for effective authority- gap reduction. These critical competencies will therefore facilitate the project execution process and enhance the empowered project leader’s ability to reduce the high project failure rate and high cost overruns. These competencies apply specifically to the human element as it relates to the role of the project leader and the interaction with the team members, this new knowledge needs to be introduced into training programs and project practitioners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Evaluating the impact of energy policies on sustainable development in South Africa
- Authors: Julius, Ibitoye Oyebanji
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Energy policy -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa Renewable energy sources -- South Africa Sustainable living -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30440 , vital:30944
- Description: The unachieved targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the end of 2015 by some developing countries including South Africa, lead to the evolution of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ensuring access to sustainable, affordable, and modern energy is one of the 17 SDGs that the countries are expected to achieve before the end of 2030. Green growth is an important strategy for attaining this goal and a pathway to achieving the other goals. Therefore, an empirical study of the impact of energy policies on sustainable development is pertinent. Despite the importance of such research, there exists a gap in the literature relating to green growth and sustainable development from the SDGs point of view. This study fills the existing lacuna by developing an intertemporal holistic model which allows a study of the impact of energy policies on sustainable development in relation to the SDGs. Specifically, this thesis employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Toda-Yamamoto approaches to analyse the long-run relationship and direction of causality respectively between green growth policies and sustainable development in South Africa from 1984 to 2016. This research provides insights into the importance of green growth for factors such as deforestation, fuel exports, energy imports and agricultural development, thus adding to the existing literature on the impact of renewable energy on a country’s social, environmental and economic conditions. Results from the analysis of the long-run relationship between green growth and macroeconomic variables, indicate a positive unidirectional relationship between changes in green growth policies and gross capital formation. This finding suggests that adopting green growth policies leads to increased investments. In contrast, green growth was found to have a negative effect on national income (gross domestic product). However, the Granger causality tests do not establish causality between these variables. Although green growth policies stimulate investments, high start-up costs associated with the implementation of these policies may mean that the resultant higher investments are yet to be translated to higher income levels in the South African economy. The findings indicate a boost in the South African balance of payment within the study period iv iv as evidenced by the positive long-run relationship between green growth policies and fuel exports. Additionally, the results indicate that green growth energy policies have assisted in improving the resilience to international oil price shocks as shown in the negative and significant long-run relationship between green growth and energy imports. With regard to environmental variables, results suggest a substitutability effect between green growth policies and the consumption of non-renewable energy. However, no evidence is found on the impact of green growth policies on the levels of deforestation and carbon dioxide(CO2) emissions, as well as natural resource depletion. In relation to the social variables, adoption of green growth policies was found to lead to improved educational quality, with causality running in both directions. This finding supports the feedback hypothesis. Similarly, green growth policies had a positive impact on agricultural development, again with causality established in both directions. The outcome of the long-run relationship between green energy consumption and unemployment shows that the green growth policies is yet to have a significant impact on unemployment reduction in South Africa. Green growth also has an insignificant and indirect relationship with GDP per capita; this result was affirmed by the absence of causality between GDP per capita and green energy consumption. This research not only makes contributions to the literature on the relevance of green growth policies for achieving economic, social and environmental sustainability, it also suggests possible policy implications which highlight the need for adoption and continued implementation of green growth policies in developing countries such as South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Julius, Ibitoye Oyebanji
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Energy policy -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa Renewable energy sources -- South Africa Sustainable living -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30440 , vital:30944
- Description: The unachieved targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the end of 2015 by some developing countries including South Africa, lead to the evolution of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ensuring access to sustainable, affordable, and modern energy is one of the 17 SDGs that the countries are expected to achieve before the end of 2030. Green growth is an important strategy for attaining this goal and a pathway to achieving the other goals. Therefore, an empirical study of the impact of energy policies on sustainable development is pertinent. Despite the importance of such research, there exists a gap in the literature relating to green growth and sustainable development from the SDGs point of view. This study fills the existing lacuna by developing an intertemporal holistic model which allows a study of the impact of energy policies on sustainable development in relation to the SDGs. Specifically, this thesis employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Toda-Yamamoto approaches to analyse the long-run relationship and direction of causality respectively between green growth policies and sustainable development in South Africa from 1984 to 2016. This research provides insights into the importance of green growth for factors such as deforestation, fuel exports, energy imports and agricultural development, thus adding to the existing literature on the impact of renewable energy on a country’s social, environmental and economic conditions. Results from the analysis of the long-run relationship between green growth and macroeconomic variables, indicate a positive unidirectional relationship between changes in green growth policies and gross capital formation. This finding suggests that adopting green growth policies leads to increased investments. In contrast, green growth was found to have a negative effect on national income (gross domestic product). However, the Granger causality tests do not establish causality between these variables. Although green growth policies stimulate investments, high start-up costs associated with the implementation of these policies may mean that the resultant higher investments are yet to be translated to higher income levels in the South African economy. The findings indicate a boost in the South African balance of payment within the study period iv iv as evidenced by the positive long-run relationship between green growth policies and fuel exports. Additionally, the results indicate that green growth energy policies have assisted in improving the resilience to international oil price shocks as shown in the negative and significant long-run relationship between green growth and energy imports. With regard to environmental variables, results suggest a substitutability effect between green growth policies and the consumption of non-renewable energy. However, no evidence is found on the impact of green growth policies on the levels of deforestation and carbon dioxide(CO2) emissions, as well as natural resource depletion. In relation to the social variables, adoption of green growth policies was found to lead to improved educational quality, with causality running in both directions. This finding supports the feedback hypothesis. Similarly, green growth policies had a positive impact on agricultural development, again with causality established in both directions. The outcome of the long-run relationship between green energy consumption and unemployment shows that the green growth policies is yet to have a significant impact on unemployment reduction in South Africa. Green growth also has an insignificant and indirect relationship with GDP per capita; this result was affirmed by the absence of causality between GDP per capita and green energy consumption. This research not only makes contributions to the literature on the relevance of green growth policies for achieving economic, social and environmental sustainability, it also suggests possible policy implications which highlight the need for adoption and continued implementation of green growth policies in developing countries such as South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Tanzania’s mediation process in the conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi parties in Burundi 1993 -2005: a mediation perspective
- Authors: Kanuwa, Juma Mabasa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mediation -- Tanzania , Mediation -- Burundi Conflict management -- Tanzania Conflict management -- Burundi Hutu (African people) -- Burundi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30671 , vital:31011
- Description: The goal of this research was to examine Tanzania’s mediation process in the conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi parties in Burundi from 1993 to 2005, from a mediation theoretical perspective. To achieve this, a critical paradigm was used as the way to view the mediation process in the Great Lakes Region. The study also aimed at attaining a grounded theoretical understanding of the topic under study, including an in depth understanding of Tanzania’s history in conflict resolution, the historical causes of Burundi’s deep-rooted social conflict, theories of conflict and conflict resolution, third party intervention and mediation theories and perspectives. This study is underpinned by Bercovitch’s Mediation Framework and its quest for problem-solving. It is a qualitative study that used documentary review, individual interviews and focus group interviews as data-gathering instruments. The selection of the study sample was carried out according to a purposive approach. The data was collected from minutes of meetings, verbatim reports, letters, journals, books, individual interviews and focus group interviews. The findings of the study culminated in three major findings which are: the finding of the first research question on Tanzania’s mediation process that Tanzania’s motivation for mediating stemmed from its traditional foreign policy, the effectiveness of the intervention stemmed from its sound understanding of the root causes of the conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi and because the parties retained ownership of the mediation process. Other success factors were due to the third-party collaboration with International Organizations, and the use of a transformative mediation approach. The finding in respect of the second research question comparing Tanzania’s mediation process with the mediation perspectives of Bercovitch and Burton was that there were similarities which were based on their assumptions in respect of social conflict, responses to conflict, the objectives of mediation, the role of mediator, the mediation action itself, the focus of mediator, timing of mediation and the success of mediation. With regards to the third question, the findings proposed improvements in respect of vii professionalism of the mediator, a change of mediation culture and attitude, the personality of mediators, diplomatic support for mediation and the institutionalisation and consolidation of conflict management. The study concluded by proposing a Professional Integration Mediation Practice (PIMP) framework. The PIMP framework was developed, based on the findings of the study, and anticipates the provision of guidance to mediators and facilitators on the use of a more Professional Integration Mediation Practice approach to facilitate a positive mediation process. The PIMP framework further provides a range of advantages in the process of conflict resolution with respect to deep–rooted social conflict. However, there is a need for agreement of international organizations on the use of professional mediators and facilitators in a mediation process. The PIMP framework can go a long way to effectively resolve deep–rooted social conflicts with the appropriate support of international organisations, and the international community as a whole.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kanuwa, Juma Mabasa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Mediation -- Tanzania , Mediation -- Burundi Conflict management -- Tanzania Conflict management -- Burundi Hutu (African people) -- Burundi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30671 , vital:31011
- Description: The goal of this research was to examine Tanzania’s mediation process in the conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi parties in Burundi from 1993 to 2005, from a mediation theoretical perspective. To achieve this, a critical paradigm was used as the way to view the mediation process in the Great Lakes Region. The study also aimed at attaining a grounded theoretical understanding of the topic under study, including an in depth understanding of Tanzania’s history in conflict resolution, the historical causes of Burundi’s deep-rooted social conflict, theories of conflict and conflict resolution, third party intervention and mediation theories and perspectives. This study is underpinned by Bercovitch’s Mediation Framework and its quest for problem-solving. It is a qualitative study that used documentary review, individual interviews and focus group interviews as data-gathering instruments. The selection of the study sample was carried out according to a purposive approach. The data was collected from minutes of meetings, verbatim reports, letters, journals, books, individual interviews and focus group interviews. The findings of the study culminated in three major findings which are: the finding of the first research question on Tanzania’s mediation process that Tanzania’s motivation for mediating stemmed from its traditional foreign policy, the effectiveness of the intervention stemmed from its sound understanding of the root causes of the conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi and because the parties retained ownership of the mediation process. Other success factors were due to the third-party collaboration with International Organizations, and the use of a transformative mediation approach. The finding in respect of the second research question comparing Tanzania’s mediation process with the mediation perspectives of Bercovitch and Burton was that there were similarities which were based on their assumptions in respect of social conflict, responses to conflict, the objectives of mediation, the role of mediator, the mediation action itself, the focus of mediator, timing of mediation and the success of mediation. With regards to the third question, the findings proposed improvements in respect of vii professionalism of the mediator, a change of mediation culture and attitude, the personality of mediators, diplomatic support for mediation and the institutionalisation and consolidation of conflict management. The study concluded by proposing a Professional Integration Mediation Practice (PIMP) framework. The PIMP framework was developed, based on the findings of the study, and anticipates the provision of guidance to mediators and facilitators on the use of a more Professional Integration Mediation Practice approach to facilitate a positive mediation process. The PIMP framework further provides a range of advantages in the process of conflict resolution with respect to deep–rooted social conflict. However, there is a need for agreement of international organizations on the use of professional mediators and facilitators in a mediation process. The PIMP framework can go a long way to effectively resolve deep–rooted social conflicts with the appropriate support of international organisations, and the international community as a whole.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Uphononongo lwemiba yentlalo inkcubeko noburharha ephembelela ababhali kuthiyo lwabalinganiswa kwiincwadi zedrama zesiXhosa ezichongiweyo
- Authors: Kapa, Nompumelelo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Characters and characteristics in literature Xhosa drama
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8440 , vital:32795
- Description: Olu phando luzakuqwalasela iimeko abathi bazilandele ababhali xa bathiya abalinganiswa phantsi kweemeko zenkcubeko noburharha, kwakunye nokubaluleka kwalo gabalala. Oku kuzakwenziwa kuboniswa nenxaxheba elithi liyidlale ebomini. Kuza kuhlalutywa ezi ncwadi zilandelayo:Amaza ngokubhalwe ngu-Z.S. Qangule, Buzani kuBawo ngu-W.K.Tamsanqa Akwaba ng-T.Ntwana, Iziphumo Zodendo ngu-L.E.Menze, Emgxobhozweni ngu-B.B.Mkonto, Yeha Mfazi Obulala Indoda ngu-L.L.Ngewu, Hay’Ukuzenza ngu-C.F.Jaji. Kwezi ncwadi kuzakuhlalutywa iimeko ezilandelwa ngababhali xa bethiya abalinganiswa kunye nendima edlalwa ligama lo mlinganiswa ngamnye ebalini, oku kuza kubonisa indlela ekuthiywa ngayo ekuhlaleni kwakunye nokubaluleka kwegama kumnini lo. Isahluko sokuqala sizakunika amagqabantshintshi ngolu phando. Esi sahlukosiqulathe oku kulandelayo:Ingabula zigcawu ngophando• Imvelaphi ngentsusa yokuthiywa kwegama• Iinjongo zolu phando• Okunye okufunyenweyo kolu phando• Indlela oluza kuqhutywa ngayo olu phando• Iingxaki zolu phando• Imibuzo yolu phando• Amagqabantshintshi ngezahluko zoluphando Isahluko sesibini siqwalasele ithiyori ezakuthi isetyenziswe kolu phando . Oku kwenziwa ngokuthi kuqwalaselwe ukuba bathini abanye ababhali ngothiyo. Isahluko sesithathu luphononongo lwabalinganiswa kwincwadi nganye kwezichongiweyo, kulandelwa inkcubeko neemeko zasekuhlaleni . Isahluko sesine sijonge ubugcisa boburharha obulandelwe ngababhali xa bathiya abalinganiswa, kwiincwadi ezichongiweyo, kwakunye nendima ethi edlalwe ngabalinganiswa ebalini. Isahluko sesihlanu nesisesokugqibela, siveza ulwazi oluthe lwafumaneka kuthiyo ngqo, luthelekisa nothiyo ezincwadini,sishwankathela iziphumo zophando.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kapa, Nompumelelo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Characters and characteristics in literature Xhosa drama
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8440 , vital:32795
- Description: Olu phando luzakuqwalasela iimeko abathi bazilandele ababhali xa bathiya abalinganiswa phantsi kweemeko zenkcubeko noburharha, kwakunye nokubaluleka kwalo gabalala. Oku kuzakwenziwa kuboniswa nenxaxheba elithi liyidlale ebomini. Kuza kuhlalutywa ezi ncwadi zilandelayo:Amaza ngokubhalwe ngu-Z.S. Qangule, Buzani kuBawo ngu-W.K.Tamsanqa Akwaba ng-T.Ntwana, Iziphumo Zodendo ngu-L.E.Menze, Emgxobhozweni ngu-B.B.Mkonto, Yeha Mfazi Obulala Indoda ngu-L.L.Ngewu, Hay’Ukuzenza ngu-C.F.Jaji. Kwezi ncwadi kuzakuhlalutywa iimeko ezilandelwa ngababhali xa bethiya abalinganiswa kunye nendima edlalwa ligama lo mlinganiswa ngamnye ebalini, oku kuza kubonisa indlela ekuthiywa ngayo ekuhlaleni kwakunye nokubaluleka kwegama kumnini lo. Isahluko sokuqala sizakunika amagqabantshintshi ngolu phando. Esi sahlukosiqulathe oku kulandelayo:Ingabula zigcawu ngophando• Imvelaphi ngentsusa yokuthiywa kwegama• Iinjongo zolu phando• Okunye okufunyenweyo kolu phando• Indlela oluza kuqhutywa ngayo olu phando• Iingxaki zolu phando• Imibuzo yolu phando• Amagqabantshintshi ngezahluko zoluphando Isahluko sesibini siqwalasele ithiyori ezakuthi isetyenziswe kolu phando . Oku kwenziwa ngokuthi kuqwalaselwe ukuba bathini abanye ababhali ngothiyo. Isahluko sesithathu luphononongo lwabalinganiswa kwincwadi nganye kwezichongiweyo, kulandelwa inkcubeko neemeko zasekuhlaleni . Isahluko sesine sijonge ubugcisa boburharha obulandelwe ngababhali xa bathiya abalinganiswa, kwiincwadi ezichongiweyo, kwakunye nendima ethi edlalwe ngabalinganiswa ebalini. Isahluko sesihlanu nesisesokugqibela, siveza ulwazi oluthe lwafumaneka kuthiyo ngqo, luthelekisa nothiyo ezincwadini,sishwankathela iziphumo zophando.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Determinants of export performance among small to medium enterprises in Zimbabwe
- Karambakuwa, Tapuwa Roseline
- Authors: Karambakuwa, Tapuwa Roseline
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economics -- Zimbabwe Small business -- Zimbabwe -- Management , Shipping -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17647 , vital:28424
- Description: There is consensus that Small to Medium Enterprises (SME) exports play a critical role in the development of economies. It has been widely acknowledged in empirical research done around the world that small businesses make a significant contribution to economic development, employment, competitiveness and the reduction of regional disparities. However, empirical literature gives conflicting evidence on the determinants of export performance among SMEs. The study contributes towards the debate on SME exports by: (i) investigating the variables that determine export performance among SMEs in Zimbabwe (ii) establishing the competi-tiveness of Zimbabwe’s exports and (iii) ascertaining the major constraints faced by SME ex-porters in Zimbabwe The researcher gathered data from 120 SMEs and 10 institutions in Zimbabwe for the period 2009 to 2015. SME samples were chosen from Harare, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East provinces while all 10 of the institutions were chosen from Harare province. Convenient non-probability sampling method was used to select SMEs while stratified sampling technique was applied in the selection of institutions. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed. For the quantitative approach, panel data ordinary least squares method was used in the form of the gravity model of trade. Export intensity (used as a measure of exports) was regressed against support institutions, business ownership, research & development, educational years, use of export processing zones, product type, export years, firm size, firm age, gender, distance from trading partner, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of trading partner, and GDP of Zimbabwe. The random effects estimation method was used, basing on results from the Durbin-Wu-Hausman test. The null hypothesis was based on the premise that the variables under study do not determine export intensity of SMEs in Zimbabwe. Other null hypothesis were that the major constraint faced by SME exporters in Zimbabwe is not access to finance and that Zimbabwe’s exports are not competitive in the mining, agricultural and manufacturing sectors. The revealed comparative advantage index was computed to measure the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s exports.For the qualitative approach, the study used the triangulation method which involved combining and utilising the questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions. The results from the study indicated that following variables increased export intensity of Zimbabwean SMEs; business ownership, use of export processing zones, export years, firm size, and GDP of trading partner. The following variables have an inverse relationship with the export intensity of Zimbabwean SMEs: gender, distance from trading partner and research & development. The results also indicated that these further variables do not determine the export intensity of SMEs in Zimbabwe: support institutions, years of education, product type, firm age and GDP of Zimbabwe. The major constraint faced by exporting SMEs in Zimbabwe is limited access to finance. Zimbabwe is competitive in the agricultural and mining sector exports, but not in manufacturing sector exports The policy implication of the findings is that SME support needs to go beyond support institutions when it comes to SME export promotion. Further SMEs in the agriculture and mining sectors need to be promoted for export growth since Zimbabwe is competitive in these sectors. However the manufacturing sector cannot be ignored, since many economies have developed due to exports of manufactured products and a country needs to have balanced export growth in both primary and manufacturing sectors. In order to have motivated, career SME exporters, entrepreneurship education should begin from primary school right up to university so as to improve entrepreneurial aspirations, attitudes and behaviour in the long run.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Karambakuwa, Tapuwa Roseline
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Economics -- Zimbabwe Small business -- Zimbabwe -- Management , Shipping -- Economic aspects -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17647 , vital:28424
- Description: There is consensus that Small to Medium Enterprises (SME) exports play a critical role in the development of economies. It has been widely acknowledged in empirical research done around the world that small businesses make a significant contribution to economic development, employment, competitiveness and the reduction of regional disparities. However, empirical literature gives conflicting evidence on the determinants of export performance among SMEs. The study contributes towards the debate on SME exports by: (i) investigating the variables that determine export performance among SMEs in Zimbabwe (ii) establishing the competi-tiveness of Zimbabwe’s exports and (iii) ascertaining the major constraints faced by SME ex-porters in Zimbabwe The researcher gathered data from 120 SMEs and 10 institutions in Zimbabwe for the period 2009 to 2015. SME samples were chosen from Harare, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East provinces while all 10 of the institutions were chosen from Harare province. Convenient non-probability sampling method was used to select SMEs while stratified sampling technique was applied in the selection of institutions. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed. For the quantitative approach, panel data ordinary least squares method was used in the form of the gravity model of trade. Export intensity (used as a measure of exports) was regressed against support institutions, business ownership, research & development, educational years, use of export processing zones, product type, export years, firm size, firm age, gender, distance from trading partner, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of trading partner, and GDP of Zimbabwe. The random effects estimation method was used, basing on results from the Durbin-Wu-Hausman test. The null hypothesis was based on the premise that the variables under study do not determine export intensity of SMEs in Zimbabwe. Other null hypothesis were that the major constraint faced by SME exporters in Zimbabwe is not access to finance and that Zimbabwe’s exports are not competitive in the mining, agricultural and manufacturing sectors. The revealed comparative advantage index was computed to measure the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s exports.For the qualitative approach, the study used the triangulation method which involved combining and utilising the questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions. The results from the study indicated that following variables increased export intensity of Zimbabwean SMEs; business ownership, use of export processing zones, export years, firm size, and GDP of trading partner. The following variables have an inverse relationship with the export intensity of Zimbabwean SMEs: gender, distance from trading partner and research & development. The results also indicated that these further variables do not determine the export intensity of SMEs in Zimbabwe: support institutions, years of education, product type, firm age and GDP of Zimbabwe. The major constraint faced by exporting SMEs in Zimbabwe is limited access to finance. Zimbabwe is competitive in the agricultural and mining sector exports, but not in manufacturing sector exports The policy implication of the findings is that SME support needs to go beyond support institutions when it comes to SME export promotion. Further SMEs in the agriculture and mining sectors need to be promoted for export growth since Zimbabwe is competitive in these sectors. However the manufacturing sector cannot be ignored, since many economies have developed due to exports of manufactured products and a country needs to have balanced export growth in both primary and manufacturing sectors. In order to have motivated, career SME exporters, entrepreneurship education should begin from primary school right up to university so as to improve entrepreneurial aspirations, attitudes and behaviour in the long run.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
A framework for the secure consumerisation of mobile, handheld devices in the healthcare institutional context
- Authors: Kativu, Tatenda Kevin
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mobile computing -- Hospitals -- South Africa Electronic data processing -- Security measures -- South Africa , Wireless communication systems -- Social aspects Medical care -- Technological innovations -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18630 , vital:28696
- Description: The advances in communication technologies have resulted in a significant shift in the workplace culture. Mobile computing devices are increasingly becoming an integral part of workplace culture. Mobility has several advantages to the organisation, one such example is the “always online” workforce resulting in increased productivity hours. As a result, organisations are increasingly providing mobile computing devices to the workforce to enable remote productivity at the organisations cost. A challenge associated with mobility is that these devices are likely to connect to a variety of networks, some which may insecure, and because of their smaller form factor and perceived value, are vulnerable to loss and theft amongst other information security challenges. Increased mobility has far reaching benefits for remote and rural communities, particularly in the healthcare domain where health workers are able to provide services to previously inaccessible populations. The adverse economic and infrastructure environment means institution provided devices make up the bulk of the mobile computing devices, and taking away the ownership, the usage patterns and the susceptibility of information to adversity are similar. It is for this reason that this study focuses on information security on institution provided devices in a rural healthcare setting. This study falls into the design science paradigm and is guided by the principles of design science proposed by Hevner et al. The research process incorporates literature reviews focusing on health information systems security and identifying theoretical constructs that support the low-resource based secure deployment of health information technologies. Thereafter, the artifact is developed and evaluated through an implementation case study and expert reviews. The outcomes from the feedback are integrated into the framework.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kativu, Tatenda Kevin
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Mobile computing -- Hospitals -- South Africa Electronic data processing -- Security measures -- South Africa , Wireless communication systems -- Social aspects Medical care -- Technological innovations -- Developing countries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18630 , vital:28696
- Description: The advances in communication technologies have resulted in a significant shift in the workplace culture. Mobile computing devices are increasingly becoming an integral part of workplace culture. Mobility has several advantages to the organisation, one such example is the “always online” workforce resulting in increased productivity hours. As a result, organisations are increasingly providing mobile computing devices to the workforce to enable remote productivity at the organisations cost. A challenge associated with mobility is that these devices are likely to connect to a variety of networks, some which may insecure, and because of their smaller form factor and perceived value, are vulnerable to loss and theft amongst other information security challenges. Increased mobility has far reaching benefits for remote and rural communities, particularly in the healthcare domain where health workers are able to provide services to previously inaccessible populations. The adverse economic and infrastructure environment means institution provided devices make up the bulk of the mobile computing devices, and taking away the ownership, the usage patterns and the susceptibility of information to adversity are similar. It is for this reason that this study focuses on information security on institution provided devices in a rural healthcare setting. This study falls into the design science paradigm and is guided by the principles of design science proposed by Hevner et al. The research process incorporates literature reviews focusing on health information systems security and identifying theoretical constructs that support the low-resource based secure deployment of health information technologies. Thereafter, the artifact is developed and evaluated through an implementation case study and expert reviews. The outcomes from the feedback are integrated into the framework.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of public spending on economic growth, employment and poverty reduction in South Africa
- Authors: Kavese, Kambale
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Expenditures, Public -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa Labor economics -- South Africa Employment (Economic theory) Poor -- Employment -- South Africa South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39940 , vital:35570
- Description: This study seeks to assess the effect of public spending on economic growth, employment, and poverty reduction. The co-existence of a sound fiscal policy and a substantial government expenditure but insignificant returns in terms of social development suggests the potential of a dilemma that needs to be investigated, and to reflect on the dynamics of selected marginalised groups of people and marginalised areas. Hence, the “social inclusion” strategy of the RDP in 1994, and the “inclusive economy” strategy of the NDP in 2014 were implemented with one single objective in mind, that is to narrow the gaps associated with the legacy of apartheid. Despite the implantation of government plans like the RDP and recently the NDP, and regardless of the effective use of fiscal policy, low growth has continued during the post-recession era; unemployment and inequality have persistently remained at high levels. This paradox has led to controversies around fiscal policy’s dual role of stimulating economic growth and income redistribution. To achieve the research objective, the study employs four types of empirical techniques: the nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag (N-ARDL) cointegration model; the economy-wide Leontief approach calibrated on the supply and use tables (dynamic SUT model); a partial general equilibrium approach based on the Social Accounting Matrix (SAM model) used for micro-simulations; and lastly a contemporaneous dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to assess the effect of fiscal policy on macroeconomic and socioeconomic variables. The study found that during the post-recession era, expansionary fiscal policy had a positive but minute effect on growth, employment and poverty reduction. The effect of government spending has had a minimal effect on historically marginalised groups of people and marginalised areas. This is why a tortoise pace in reducing poverty and inequality has persisted. So, the study recommends that governments should follow a priorities-based government spending policy which fits well with the current situation of the country. Moreover, South Africa needs to adopt international standards and best practices of “science-based strategic” rather than that of “evidence-based strategy” and ensure that only programmes that have proved to be effective be financed in the fiscal budget.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Kavese, Kambale
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Expenditures, Public -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa Labor economics -- South Africa Employment (Economic theory) Poor -- Employment -- South Africa South Africa -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/39940 , vital:35570
- Description: This study seeks to assess the effect of public spending on economic growth, employment, and poverty reduction. The co-existence of a sound fiscal policy and a substantial government expenditure but insignificant returns in terms of social development suggests the potential of a dilemma that needs to be investigated, and to reflect on the dynamics of selected marginalised groups of people and marginalised areas. Hence, the “social inclusion” strategy of the RDP in 1994, and the “inclusive economy” strategy of the NDP in 2014 were implemented with one single objective in mind, that is to narrow the gaps associated with the legacy of apartheid. Despite the implantation of government plans like the RDP and recently the NDP, and regardless of the effective use of fiscal policy, low growth has continued during the post-recession era; unemployment and inequality have persistently remained at high levels. This paradox has led to controversies around fiscal policy’s dual role of stimulating economic growth and income redistribution. To achieve the research objective, the study employs four types of empirical techniques: the nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag (N-ARDL) cointegration model; the economy-wide Leontief approach calibrated on the supply and use tables (dynamic SUT model); a partial general equilibrium approach based on the Social Accounting Matrix (SAM model) used for micro-simulations; and lastly a contemporaneous dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to assess the effect of fiscal policy on macroeconomic and socioeconomic variables. The study found that during the post-recession era, expansionary fiscal policy had a positive but minute effect on growth, employment and poverty reduction. The effect of government spending has had a minimal effect on historically marginalised groups of people and marginalised areas. This is why a tortoise pace in reducing poverty and inequality has persisted. So, the study recommends that governments should follow a priorities-based government spending policy which fits well with the current situation of the country. Moreover, South Africa needs to adopt international standards and best practices of “science-based strategic” rather than that of “evidence-based strategy” and ensure that only programmes that have proved to be effective be financed in the fiscal budget.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Causes of staff turnover in selected departments: province of the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Khelekethe, Eric Phathisile
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8836 , vital:26434
- Description: This research focused on the impact of staff turnover in selected departments of the Province of the Eastern Cape Province. High staff turnover rate may jeopardise efforts to attain organisational objectives. In addition, `when an organisation loses a critical employee, there is a negative impact, on innovation; consistency in providing service to guests may be jeopardised, and major delays in the delivery of services to customers may occur. The research design used in this study contained elements of both the quantitative and qualitative approaches, which allowed the researcher to use structured questionnaires in data collection, on which space was provided for comments. This study was influenced and shaped by the concerns raised by a number of General Managers in the course of various provincial meetings. The main purpose of this research was to identify retention strategies that could be used by selected departments to reduce the turnover of their talented staff. The research also investigated methods to retain knowledge within departments that could possibly be lost due to a high turnover rate among talented staff. The first step used to resolve the issues discussed above was to conduct a full literature study. The literature study sought to reveal what characteristics were required in the departments that ensured that staff would be happy in those departments and remain there for a long time. The literature study also covered what knowledge management methods could be used in managing valuable knowledge. Secondly, the views of current staff and management of the selected departments on staff and knowledge management strategies were solicited in an empirical study, which involved the completion of structured questionnaires. It is the researcher’s aim that this study will, firstly, contribute to the existing body of knowledge of staff turnover and that the Provincial Departments will take into cognisance the problems that lead to employee turnover. Secondly, that it will contribute to an improvement in employee working conditions in various Provincial Government departments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Khelekethe, Eric Phathisile
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8836 , vital:26434
- Description: This research focused on the impact of staff turnover in selected departments of the Province of the Eastern Cape Province. High staff turnover rate may jeopardise efforts to attain organisational objectives. In addition, `when an organisation loses a critical employee, there is a negative impact, on innovation; consistency in providing service to guests may be jeopardised, and major delays in the delivery of services to customers may occur. The research design used in this study contained elements of both the quantitative and qualitative approaches, which allowed the researcher to use structured questionnaires in data collection, on which space was provided for comments. This study was influenced and shaped by the concerns raised by a number of General Managers in the course of various provincial meetings. The main purpose of this research was to identify retention strategies that could be used by selected departments to reduce the turnover of their talented staff. The research also investigated methods to retain knowledge within departments that could possibly be lost due to a high turnover rate among talented staff. The first step used to resolve the issues discussed above was to conduct a full literature study. The literature study sought to reveal what characteristics were required in the departments that ensured that staff would be happy in those departments and remain there for a long time. The literature study also covered what knowledge management methods could be used in managing valuable knowledge. Secondly, the views of current staff and management of the selected departments on staff and knowledge management strategies were solicited in an empirical study, which involved the completion of structured questionnaires. It is the researcher’s aim that this study will, firstly, contribute to the existing body of knowledge of staff turnover and that the Provincial Departments will take into cognisance the problems that lead to employee turnover. Secondly, that it will contribute to an improvement in employee working conditions in various Provincial Government departments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A critical analysis of child labour and human resource development in Uganda
- Authors: Kibukamusoke, Martha
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Child labor -- Uganda , Child soldiers -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:16128 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1196 , Child labor -- Uganda , Child soldiers -- Uganda
- Description: This study is a critical analysis of child labour and human resource development in Uganda. The study was undertaken because of the growing concern about child-labour practices in African countries, Uganda being an example. The incidence of child labour and the form that it takes are driven by supply-anddemand factors countrywide, but also by the sheer need of children to survive. Child labour is considered to be a fundamental child development problem. Children are involved in a number of child-labour practices such as prostitution in the commercial and tourism sex industry, forced begging on the streets, and forced soldiering. They may be used as camel jockeys, domestic servants, farm labourers/herders, mine labourers, produce porters, roadside sellers/street vendors, sweetshop-industry labourers, cooks and porters for rebels. The persistent exploitation of children involved in hazardous work and conditions has become overwhelming in Uganda. Poverty as one of the major causes for the growing numbers of child labourers in the agricultural sector in Uganda has caused a number of children to engage in child-labour activities to earn extra income for household survival. Many children have opted for partial attendance in school, eventually dropping out. Parents have also frequently influenced children to work on family farms, thus contributing to the children dropping out of school. Child-labour practices have become entrenched in the social and moral fabric of Ugandan society, and for this reason, research endeavours to uncover ways and methods to reverse this situation. The main objectives of this research were to establish the impact of poverty on child labour, to assess the effect of the social and cultural setup on child labour, to find out the impact of child-labour legislation enforcement, to determine the 5 influence of the HIV and AIDS pandemic on child labour, to establish the effect of the educational system and technological advancement on child labour, to establish the level of awareness of human rights in the community, and to establish the impact of human rights activists on the prevention of child labour. The study was undertaken in Masindi District in Budongo Sub County, in three parishes, Nyabyeya, Nyantonzi and Kasongoire. The respondents used for the study included child labourers, their parents, farmers, and community leaders. The method used to get to the sample was purposive sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires for written answers and a tape recorder for oral answers. Both primary and secondary data was collected, verified, edited, checked, coded, analysed, and then exported to Excel and SPSS. Collecting the data was a challenging exercise for the researcher. Experiences were varied, in the hospitality and willingness of respondents to learn more about child issues. Although respondents were willing to participate in the data collection exercise, social and cultural values did not permit all of them to share their views with the researcher. To collect data from respondents, the researcher had to ensure that remuneration was in place at the end of the exercise. The respondents filled out the questionnaires only after learning of the availability of a reward for every questionnaire answered. More setbacks were the need to travel long distances, and enduring the poor infrastructure, poor sanitation, and epidemic outbreaks, some of which diluted the quality of data collected. During group interviews, most parents were not entirely truthful about involving their children in child-labour activities. Although most respondents had an idea of what child labour is, their ignorance levels on the topic prevented them from stopping their children from working. The major findings of the research were that the cultural, social and economic setup of the community in the study area favoured child labour, although the child-labour legislation is against using children as labourers. Various ethnicities 6 in the study area considered a person between the ages of 5 and 12 years to be a child, yet the Constitution of Uganda dictates the age of childhood to be below 18 years. This causes conflict in the definition of who a child is. Although parents were aware of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) regulation penalties for not taking children to school, they still permitted children to engage in child-labour activities, and little has been done by government to curb the culprits. Awareness of the Sub Counties and Credit Co-operatives (SACCOs) and their implementation has not helped to reduce poverty in the area studied, resulting in an increased school dropout rate among school-going-age children, as well as more child-labour activities. The major conclusion of the study was that little has been done to increase the awareness levels of the teachers, parents and their children about child labour and its legislation, their knowledge of and involvement in micro-finance institutions in the community, and the availability of vocational training institutions. Little has therefore been done to reduce child-labour activities, improve the economic status of the community, and improve their human resource skills. The major recommendations of the research to the study are that culture should not override the Constitution as far as the definition of age limit is concerned. The government should carry out stakeholder analyses, and implement a life-skills and sensitisation programme in order to improve child participation in the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme. Government should ensure that the society is given information about basic accounting, project planning and management skills, in order to be effectively involved in the economic programmes of SACCOs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Kibukamusoke, Martha
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Child labor -- Uganda , Child soldiers -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:16128 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1196 , Child labor -- Uganda , Child soldiers -- Uganda
- Description: This study is a critical analysis of child labour and human resource development in Uganda. The study was undertaken because of the growing concern about child-labour practices in African countries, Uganda being an example. The incidence of child labour and the form that it takes are driven by supply-anddemand factors countrywide, but also by the sheer need of children to survive. Child labour is considered to be a fundamental child development problem. Children are involved in a number of child-labour practices such as prostitution in the commercial and tourism sex industry, forced begging on the streets, and forced soldiering. They may be used as camel jockeys, domestic servants, farm labourers/herders, mine labourers, produce porters, roadside sellers/street vendors, sweetshop-industry labourers, cooks and porters for rebels. The persistent exploitation of children involved in hazardous work and conditions has become overwhelming in Uganda. Poverty as one of the major causes for the growing numbers of child labourers in the agricultural sector in Uganda has caused a number of children to engage in child-labour activities to earn extra income for household survival. Many children have opted for partial attendance in school, eventually dropping out. Parents have also frequently influenced children to work on family farms, thus contributing to the children dropping out of school. Child-labour practices have become entrenched in the social and moral fabric of Ugandan society, and for this reason, research endeavours to uncover ways and methods to reverse this situation. The main objectives of this research were to establish the impact of poverty on child labour, to assess the effect of the social and cultural setup on child labour, to find out the impact of child-labour legislation enforcement, to determine the 5 influence of the HIV and AIDS pandemic on child labour, to establish the effect of the educational system and technological advancement on child labour, to establish the level of awareness of human rights in the community, and to establish the impact of human rights activists on the prevention of child labour. The study was undertaken in Masindi District in Budongo Sub County, in three parishes, Nyabyeya, Nyantonzi and Kasongoire. The respondents used for the study included child labourers, their parents, farmers, and community leaders. The method used to get to the sample was purposive sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires for written answers and a tape recorder for oral answers. Both primary and secondary data was collected, verified, edited, checked, coded, analysed, and then exported to Excel and SPSS. Collecting the data was a challenging exercise for the researcher. Experiences were varied, in the hospitality and willingness of respondents to learn more about child issues. Although respondents were willing to participate in the data collection exercise, social and cultural values did not permit all of them to share their views with the researcher. To collect data from respondents, the researcher had to ensure that remuneration was in place at the end of the exercise. The respondents filled out the questionnaires only after learning of the availability of a reward for every questionnaire answered. More setbacks were the need to travel long distances, and enduring the poor infrastructure, poor sanitation, and epidemic outbreaks, some of which diluted the quality of data collected. During group interviews, most parents were not entirely truthful about involving their children in child-labour activities. Although most respondents had an idea of what child labour is, their ignorance levels on the topic prevented them from stopping their children from working. The major findings of the research were that the cultural, social and economic setup of the community in the study area favoured child labour, although the child-labour legislation is against using children as labourers. Various ethnicities 6 in the study area considered a person between the ages of 5 and 12 years to be a child, yet the Constitution of Uganda dictates the age of childhood to be below 18 years. This causes conflict in the definition of who a child is. Although parents were aware of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) regulation penalties for not taking children to school, they still permitted children to engage in child-labour activities, and little has been done by government to curb the culprits. Awareness of the Sub Counties and Credit Co-operatives (SACCOs) and their implementation has not helped to reduce poverty in the area studied, resulting in an increased school dropout rate among school-going-age children, as well as more child-labour activities. The major conclusion of the study was that little has been done to increase the awareness levels of the teachers, parents and their children about child labour and its legislation, their knowledge of and involvement in micro-finance institutions in the community, and the availability of vocational training institutions. Little has therefore been done to reduce child-labour activities, improve the economic status of the community, and improve their human resource skills. The major recommendations of the research to the study are that culture should not override the Constitution as far as the definition of age limit is concerned. The government should carry out stakeholder analyses, and implement a life-skills and sensitisation programme in order to improve child participation in the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme. Government should ensure that the society is given information about basic accounting, project planning and management skills, in order to be effectively involved in the economic programmes of SACCOs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
The effects of environmental variability on the physiology and ecology of Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi (Steindachner, 1881) (Sparidae)
- Authors: Kisten, Yanasivan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Freshwater fishes -- South Africa , Fishes -- Ecology Freshwater fishes -- Ecology Estuarine ecology -- South Africa Estuaries -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31424 , vital:31374
- Description: Estuaries are important nursery areas for early stages of marine estuarine-dependent fishes, such as the sparid Rhabdosargus holubi. Estuaries provide food, shelter from predators and optimal habitats and environmental conditions for growth and development. However, estuaries are environmentally dynamic and resident organisms must be able to adapt to rapid changes. Such changes are potentially further exacerbated anthropogenically by water and land use practices such as freshwater abstraction, impoundment, pollution and anthropogenically driven climatic change. An effective approach to better understanding the current and future impacts of these kinds of changes, is by assessing the environmental adaptability of organisms, especially to extreme conditions such as droughts and resulting water shortages, which are prevalent in some parts of southern Africa. This thesis examines the effect of various environmental changes such as salinity, turbidity and temperature on the ecology and physiology of a South African common endemic fish species, the Cape stumpnose, R. holubi. Previous work on the species have investigated short term impacts on physiology while this study investigates medium to short term impacts. The specie’s wide distribution in South Africa and tolerance enabled a range of environmental, ecological and physiological relationships to be tested in the context of a changing world. These included: 1) determining the relationship between environmental variability and the distribution and abundance of R. holubi larvae in 25 estuaries along the temperate coast of South Africa; 2) determining the relationship between environmental variability and the movement of larvae and juveniles within two permanently open estuaries; 3) determining the impact of shock and acclimatization on R. holubi salinity tolerance ranges under hypersaline conditions; 4) II determining the impact of hypersalinity on the potential long term impacts growth and skeletal deformities of juvenile R. holubi in aquaria. The findings of these studies suggest that larval occurrence and density within estuaries is a function of salinity and turbidity, by proxy indicating a preference for high freshwater inflow especially in estuary types such as permanently open estuaries. The movement of larvae and juveniles within these estuaries is also mediated by salinity, turbidity and temperature, indicating the importance of seasonality along with environmental conditions and potential olfactory recruitment cues driven by freshwater flow. Tolerance experiments showed that slower acclimation to higher salinities can expand the previously reported tolerance range indicating the potential for adaptation. Physiological experiments showed negative impacts on respiration at salinities exceeding 45, indicating potential long-term physiological effects in hypersaline conditions. Further, living at high salinities for extended periods may have potentially negative effects on long term physiology, particularly growth and skeletal development. The overall results indicate that low salinity (5–18), high turbidity (20–30 NTU) and high temperature (5–22°C) are integral to the distribution and abundance of the species in permanently open estuaries. This conforms to the general rule that estuarine-associated marine fish have higher growth rates in salinities of 12-19. However, juveniles are also adapted to survive at higher salinities for long periods (2 months in the current thesis). This explains why R. holubi is one of the few species in the estuarine fish community that may persist during droughts. The predicted future changes in coastal temperatures and rainfall by climate change investigators, are likely to result in range shifts and changes in recruitment times of estuarine fish communities. The current work addresses novel aspects of the ecology and physiology of R. holubi and indicates that this species will play an increasingly important role within the estuaries of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kisten, Yanasivan
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Freshwater fishes -- South Africa , Fishes -- Ecology Freshwater fishes -- Ecology Estuarine ecology -- South Africa Estuaries -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/31424 , vital:31374
- Description: Estuaries are important nursery areas for early stages of marine estuarine-dependent fishes, such as the sparid Rhabdosargus holubi. Estuaries provide food, shelter from predators and optimal habitats and environmental conditions for growth and development. However, estuaries are environmentally dynamic and resident organisms must be able to adapt to rapid changes. Such changes are potentially further exacerbated anthropogenically by water and land use practices such as freshwater abstraction, impoundment, pollution and anthropogenically driven climatic change. An effective approach to better understanding the current and future impacts of these kinds of changes, is by assessing the environmental adaptability of organisms, especially to extreme conditions such as droughts and resulting water shortages, which are prevalent in some parts of southern Africa. This thesis examines the effect of various environmental changes such as salinity, turbidity and temperature on the ecology and physiology of a South African common endemic fish species, the Cape stumpnose, R. holubi. Previous work on the species have investigated short term impacts on physiology while this study investigates medium to short term impacts. The specie’s wide distribution in South Africa and tolerance enabled a range of environmental, ecological and physiological relationships to be tested in the context of a changing world. These included: 1) determining the relationship between environmental variability and the distribution and abundance of R. holubi larvae in 25 estuaries along the temperate coast of South Africa; 2) determining the relationship between environmental variability and the movement of larvae and juveniles within two permanently open estuaries; 3) determining the impact of shock and acclimatization on R. holubi salinity tolerance ranges under hypersaline conditions; 4) II determining the impact of hypersalinity on the potential long term impacts growth and skeletal deformities of juvenile R. holubi in aquaria. The findings of these studies suggest that larval occurrence and density within estuaries is a function of salinity and turbidity, by proxy indicating a preference for high freshwater inflow especially in estuary types such as permanently open estuaries. The movement of larvae and juveniles within these estuaries is also mediated by salinity, turbidity and temperature, indicating the importance of seasonality along with environmental conditions and potential olfactory recruitment cues driven by freshwater flow. Tolerance experiments showed that slower acclimation to higher salinities can expand the previously reported tolerance range indicating the potential for adaptation. Physiological experiments showed negative impacts on respiration at salinities exceeding 45, indicating potential long-term physiological effects in hypersaline conditions. Further, living at high salinities for extended periods may have potentially negative effects on long term physiology, particularly growth and skeletal development. The overall results indicate that low salinity (5–18), high turbidity (20–30 NTU) and high temperature (5–22°C) are integral to the distribution and abundance of the species in permanently open estuaries. This conforms to the general rule that estuarine-associated marine fish have higher growth rates in salinities of 12-19. However, juveniles are also adapted to survive at higher salinities for long periods (2 months in the current thesis). This explains why R. holubi is one of the few species in the estuarine fish community that may persist during droughts. The predicted future changes in coastal temperatures and rainfall by climate change investigators, are likely to result in range shifts and changes in recruitment times of estuarine fish communities. The current work addresses novel aspects of the ecology and physiology of R. holubi and indicates that this species will play an increasingly important role within the estuaries of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Understanding suicide: a psychobiographical study of Ian Kevin Curtis
- Authors: Kitching, Philip Herman
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Psychology -- Biographical methods Personality -- Research -- Methodology , Suicide Suicidal behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18178 , vital:28583
- Description: Psychobiography can be viewed as the re-writing of an individual‟s life story previously undetected. In general, it consists of a combination of two central elements: biography and psychological theory, which aim to explain the particular individual‟s psychological development. This particular study serves to explore the extraordinary life of renowned singer and songwriter, Ian Kevin Curtis (1956-1980), who died by suicide at the early age of 23. The basis for this investigation will take the form of notable biographical accounts of the subject‟s life, together with the application of Thomas Joiner‟s (2005) interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide which identifies factors that lead to suicidal ideation - in an attempt to understand the psychological circumstances that contributed to Curtis‟s suicide. In doing so, Adler‟s (1929) theory of Individual Psychology was applied to the life of Curtis in an attempt to build on Joiner‟s theory. This led to the concept of control being introduced and contributed to the development of an intake form to identify those at risk for suicide. It is hoped that exploring the psychological circumstances that contributed to Curtis‟s suicide and their interpretation by the subject will bring about an understanding of the risk factors that may induce suicide and, by extension, will highlight the relevance of this psychobiographical study as a tool for investigating and promoting preventative measures concerning suicide. The psychobiographical data collection and analysis for this research thesis will be guided by Yin‟s (2003) theory of „analytic generalisation‟ which uses a theoretical framework in selecting relevant data which develops a matrix as a descriptive framework for organising and integrating that data, and Alexander‟s (1988) analytical model which focuses on lifting out themes through principal identifiers of salience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Kitching, Philip Herman
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Psychology -- Biographical methods Personality -- Research -- Methodology , Suicide Suicidal behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18178 , vital:28583
- Description: Psychobiography can be viewed as the re-writing of an individual‟s life story previously undetected. In general, it consists of a combination of two central elements: biography and psychological theory, which aim to explain the particular individual‟s psychological development. This particular study serves to explore the extraordinary life of renowned singer and songwriter, Ian Kevin Curtis (1956-1980), who died by suicide at the early age of 23. The basis for this investigation will take the form of notable biographical accounts of the subject‟s life, together with the application of Thomas Joiner‟s (2005) interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide which identifies factors that lead to suicidal ideation - in an attempt to understand the psychological circumstances that contributed to Curtis‟s suicide. In doing so, Adler‟s (1929) theory of Individual Psychology was applied to the life of Curtis in an attempt to build on Joiner‟s theory. This led to the concept of control being introduced and contributed to the development of an intake form to identify those at risk for suicide. It is hoped that exploring the psychological circumstances that contributed to Curtis‟s suicide and their interpretation by the subject will bring about an understanding of the risk factors that may induce suicide and, by extension, will highlight the relevance of this psychobiographical study as a tool for investigating and promoting preventative measures concerning suicide. The psychobiographical data collection and analysis for this research thesis will be guided by Yin‟s (2003) theory of „analytic generalisation‟ which uses a theoretical framework in selecting relevant data which develops a matrix as a descriptive framework for organising and integrating that data, and Alexander‟s (1988) analytical model which focuses on lifting out themes through principal identifiers of salience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The development of novel cancer targeting agents
- Authors: Knoetze, Steyn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Cancer -- Research , Cancer -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10397 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010636 , Cancer -- Research , Cancer -- Treatment
- Description: The search for the cure for cancer is currently a multi-billion dollar industry and the search for the elusive “magic bullet”, i.e. the perfect cancer drug that would interact therapeutically with cancerous tissues while having a minimal effect on healthy cells, is the topic of many research studies in the world today. A large number of novel drugs or drug complexes and conjugates are being synthesized and subjected to rigorous evaluation in the race to find the perfect cure. ECDG (Ethylene diCysteine DeoxyGlucose) seems to have promising cancer targeting ability. Even though this compound has been described in a few publications, we could not find any reference to the current use of ECDG in oncology clinics, either as a therapeutic agent, or as a diagnostic tool for imaging purposes. It was also not possible to purchase pure ECDG anywhere in the world. This prompted us to further investigate ECDG as a possible candidate for cancer targeting research, either as an imaging agent for cancer diagnosis or complexed with an anti-cancer agent for therapeutic purposes. Detailed investigations done in our laboratory can be divided into the following categories: - Development of a synthetic method for ECDG on a multigram scale ; - Purification of prepared ECDG not using the described dialysis method that only allows the purification of small quantities of ECDG (mg scale) ; Detailed investigation of the chemistry involved in the preparation of pure ECDG and its metal complexes ; - Investigation of the stability of ECDG and its metal complexes that is essential data required for any pharmaceutical agent ; - Preparation of ECDG complexes for use as a diagnostic tool, i.e. complexation with 99mTc ; Investigation of the bio distribution of ECDG-ReO complexes ; - Preparation of an ECDG kit as a diagnostic tool for use in oncology clinics. The development of novel aromatic ligands having similar characteristics compared to ECDG, containing an N2S2 chromophore as donor atoms, to further investigate their targeting capabilities, have also been investigated. All intermediates and final compounds were characterized mainly by ESI MS, in some cases IR and NMR whenever available. Successful preparation and purification of ECDG ands its metal complexes was achieved and extensively characterized and evaluated. Efforts directed towards the development of ECDG at NECSA, South Africa, were also rewarded with significant success. Furthermore, significant development regarding the synthesis of two novel compounds with ECDG-like characteristics was also completed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Knoetze, Steyn
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Cancer -- Research , Cancer -- Treatment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10397 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010636 , Cancer -- Research , Cancer -- Treatment
- Description: The search for the cure for cancer is currently a multi-billion dollar industry and the search for the elusive “magic bullet”, i.e. the perfect cancer drug that would interact therapeutically with cancerous tissues while having a minimal effect on healthy cells, is the topic of many research studies in the world today. A large number of novel drugs or drug complexes and conjugates are being synthesized and subjected to rigorous evaluation in the race to find the perfect cure. ECDG (Ethylene diCysteine DeoxyGlucose) seems to have promising cancer targeting ability. Even though this compound has been described in a few publications, we could not find any reference to the current use of ECDG in oncology clinics, either as a therapeutic agent, or as a diagnostic tool for imaging purposes. It was also not possible to purchase pure ECDG anywhere in the world. This prompted us to further investigate ECDG as a possible candidate for cancer targeting research, either as an imaging agent for cancer diagnosis or complexed with an anti-cancer agent for therapeutic purposes. Detailed investigations done in our laboratory can be divided into the following categories: - Development of a synthetic method for ECDG on a multigram scale ; - Purification of prepared ECDG not using the described dialysis method that only allows the purification of small quantities of ECDG (mg scale) ; Detailed investigation of the chemistry involved in the preparation of pure ECDG and its metal complexes ; - Investigation of the stability of ECDG and its metal complexes that is essential data required for any pharmaceutical agent ; - Preparation of ECDG complexes for use as a diagnostic tool, i.e. complexation with 99mTc ; Investigation of the bio distribution of ECDG-ReO complexes ; - Preparation of an ECDG kit as a diagnostic tool for use in oncology clinics. The development of novel aromatic ligands having similar characteristics compared to ECDG, containing an N2S2 chromophore as donor atoms, to further investigate their targeting capabilities, have also been investigated. All intermediates and final compounds were characterized mainly by ESI MS, in some cases IR and NMR whenever available. Successful preparation and purification of ECDG ands its metal complexes was achieved and extensively characterized and evaluated. Efforts directed towards the development of ECDG at NECSA, South Africa, were also rewarded with significant success. Furthermore, significant development regarding the synthesis of two novel compounds with ECDG-like characteristics was also completed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The future of banking in South Africa towards 2055: disruptive innovation scenarios
- Authors: Koekemoer, Jonathan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Finance -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40577 , vital:36184
- Description: The research effort developed four possible scenarios for the future of banking in South Africa towards 2055. The scenarios sought to stimulate thought on the possible, probable, plausible and preferred effects of disruptive innovation and regulation in the South African banking sector. The scenarios were developed in strict accordance with the 5 stages, and 9 steps, of the scenario-based planning process of futures studies. A conceptual futures studies model for banking in South Africa was developed to guide and clarify the way in which the research on South African banking can be integrated into the body of existing futures studies theory. The research study began with a comprehensive environmental scan, where various megatrends and driving forces are identified. A PESTEL analysis provided a deeper understanding of the driving forces. A Real-Time Delphi study was conducted in order to validate and prioritise the megatrends and driving forces that emerged. As a result, the research study was able to present four plausible scenarios that provide a better understanding of the future of banking in South Africa over the decades to come. The research presents banking as a complex, multi-faceted sector that is heavily influenced by advances in technology. The Real-Time Delphi research allowed the aggregation of expert knowledge. This is used as a guide to assist decision-makers and industry leaders in the adoption of appropriate business models and strategies towards a preferred future state. The research defined the Integrated Vision as the preferred future state for the South African banking sector towards 2055. The study closes a research gap where current strategies deviate from proposed strategies that drive the achievement of the Integrated Vision by 2055. Finally, contextually aligned practical recommendations are provided to assist decision-makers, industry leaders and change agents to work towards a preferable future state. The proposed recommendations are placed into broad categories of innovation, financial inclusion and collaborative regulatory relationships. The research makes a meaningful contribution to the South African banking sector by introducing a forward-looking, systems-thinking approach to disruptive innovation and regulation in the South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Koekemoer, Jonathan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Finance -- South Africa , Economic development -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40577 , vital:36184
- Description: The research effort developed four possible scenarios for the future of banking in South Africa towards 2055. The scenarios sought to stimulate thought on the possible, probable, plausible and preferred effects of disruptive innovation and regulation in the South African banking sector. The scenarios were developed in strict accordance with the 5 stages, and 9 steps, of the scenario-based planning process of futures studies. A conceptual futures studies model for banking in South Africa was developed to guide and clarify the way in which the research on South African banking can be integrated into the body of existing futures studies theory. The research study began with a comprehensive environmental scan, where various megatrends and driving forces are identified. A PESTEL analysis provided a deeper understanding of the driving forces. A Real-Time Delphi study was conducted in order to validate and prioritise the megatrends and driving forces that emerged. As a result, the research study was able to present four plausible scenarios that provide a better understanding of the future of banking in South Africa over the decades to come. The research presents banking as a complex, multi-faceted sector that is heavily influenced by advances in technology. The Real-Time Delphi research allowed the aggregation of expert knowledge. This is used as a guide to assist decision-makers and industry leaders in the adoption of appropriate business models and strategies towards a preferred future state. The research defined the Integrated Vision as the preferred future state for the South African banking sector towards 2055. The study closes a research gap where current strategies deviate from proposed strategies that drive the achievement of the Integrated Vision by 2055. Finally, contextually aligned practical recommendations are provided to assist decision-makers, industry leaders and change agents to work towards a preferable future state. The proposed recommendations are placed into broad categories of innovation, financial inclusion and collaborative regulatory relationships. The research makes a meaningful contribution to the South African banking sector by introducing a forward-looking, systems-thinking approach to disruptive innovation and regulation in the South African context.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A strategy towards implementing standardised data structures in municipal information systems
- Authors: Koekemoer, Silma Marguerite
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Data structures (Computer science) , Municipal government -- Data processing Public administration -- Data processing Management information systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46064 , vital:39482
- Description: The regulation pertaining to a Standard Chart of Accounts (SCOA) for Municipalities was published in 2014 and is applicable to all 257 municipalities and municipal entities in South Africa. The regulation represents a data classification framework or structure and affects all financial management and internal control systems (FMICS) used by municipalities and municipal entities, and affects key business processes within these organisations. Compliance with the SCOA regulation means that the full municipal accountability cycle should accommodate all seven of the SCOA segments, from the budget through transacting and reporting at the transaction level, with all seven of the segments being embedded in the master data table of the municipal FMICS. While the change to technology and systems may be self-evident, the related business change should not be underestimated. This information technology (IT) driven organisational change across the whole municipal environment represents the research topic and key objective of this research study, namely, a strategy towards implementing standard data structures in municipal IT systems. The study followed a pragmatic philosophy using diagnostic reasoning based on an inductive approach, multiple action research methods and a descriptive case study to derive the proposed implementation strategy. The research subjects, which included 25 pilot municipalities, were studied for the duration of the pilot implementation of the strategy with the objective of identifying and utilising the lessons learnt from their experience to fast track the rollout of the strategy to non-pilot municipalities. The study was limited to the local government environment and to South Africa as a geographic area and involved an accidental sample aligned to the implementation project under investigation. The proposed implementation strategy was, however, of a generic nature and is therefore applicable to any other institution or environment engaged in a similar implementation project. The main contribution of the study is an implementation strategy for standard data structures in municipal financial information systems and which consists of seven diagnostics, 17 guiding policies and 48 coherent actions. The strategy was developed and refined during six cycles of data collection, which were conducted at 25 municipalities actively involved in implementing of the standard data structures. The secondary contributions of the research study include three conference papers and one submission to an academic journal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Koekemoer, Silma Marguerite
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Data structures (Computer science) , Municipal government -- Data processing Public administration -- Data processing Management information systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46064 , vital:39482
- Description: The regulation pertaining to a Standard Chart of Accounts (SCOA) for Municipalities was published in 2014 and is applicable to all 257 municipalities and municipal entities in South Africa. The regulation represents a data classification framework or structure and affects all financial management and internal control systems (FMICS) used by municipalities and municipal entities, and affects key business processes within these organisations. Compliance with the SCOA regulation means that the full municipal accountability cycle should accommodate all seven of the SCOA segments, from the budget through transacting and reporting at the transaction level, with all seven of the segments being embedded in the master data table of the municipal FMICS. While the change to technology and systems may be self-evident, the related business change should not be underestimated. This information technology (IT) driven organisational change across the whole municipal environment represents the research topic and key objective of this research study, namely, a strategy towards implementing standard data structures in municipal IT systems. The study followed a pragmatic philosophy using diagnostic reasoning based on an inductive approach, multiple action research methods and a descriptive case study to derive the proposed implementation strategy. The research subjects, which included 25 pilot municipalities, were studied for the duration of the pilot implementation of the strategy with the objective of identifying and utilising the lessons learnt from their experience to fast track the rollout of the strategy to non-pilot municipalities. The study was limited to the local government environment and to South Africa as a geographic area and involved an accidental sample aligned to the implementation project under investigation. The proposed implementation strategy was, however, of a generic nature and is therefore applicable to any other institution or environment engaged in a similar implementation project. The main contribution of the study is an implementation strategy for standard data structures in municipal financial information systems and which consists of seven diagnostics, 17 guiding policies and 48 coherent actions. The strategy was developed and refined during six cycles of data collection, which were conducted at 25 municipalities actively involved in implementing of the standard data structures. The secondary contributions of the research study include three conference papers and one submission to an academic journal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
A critical analysis of selected literary techniques in P.T. Mtuze’s prose narratives
- Authors: Kondowe, Zandile Ziyanda
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Xhosa literature -- History and criticism Literary style
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33217 , vital:32570
- Description: The main purpose of this study is to provide a critical analysis of selected literary techniques in P.T. Mtuze’s prose narratives. This study seeks to analyse his style of writing in all his texts. The aspects of his style under stylistic techniques and criticism will serve as a foundation theory that will link the study to the analysis of definitions and referencing under imagery and its aspects; including humour, satire, idioms, proverbs, literary techniques, and figures of speech. Mtuze is noted as one of the most prolific writers due to his ingenuity in language skills, especially in isiXhosa. Mtuze is one of the best humoristic writers; hence he is popular due to applying humour in the prose works he wrote. This study is divided into seven chapters, and the theory which is used for this study is also scrutinised in order to get a sense of what the author intended to deliver through his texts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kondowe, Zandile Ziyanda
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Xhosa literature -- History and criticism Literary style
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/33217 , vital:32570
- Description: The main purpose of this study is to provide a critical analysis of selected literary techniques in P.T. Mtuze’s prose narratives. This study seeks to analyse his style of writing in all his texts. The aspects of his style under stylistic techniques and criticism will serve as a foundation theory that will link the study to the analysis of definitions and referencing under imagery and its aspects; including humour, satire, idioms, proverbs, literary techniques, and figures of speech. Mtuze is noted as one of the most prolific writers due to his ingenuity in language skills, especially in isiXhosa. Mtuze is one of the best humoristic writers; hence he is popular due to applying humour in the prose works he wrote. This study is divided into seven chapters, and the theory which is used for this study is also scrutinised in order to get a sense of what the author intended to deliver through his texts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Whither South Africa – neoliberalism or an embodied communitarian indigenous ethic?
- Authors: Konik, Inga
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Neoliberalism -- South Africa Communitarianism , Literature and society South Africa -- Politics and government -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21656 , vital:29729
- Description: This thesis offers a critique of neoliberal transformation in South Africa, which process results in growing social inequality and political apathy among citizens. Many scholars have made political-economic and historical analyses of the neoliberal transition, emphasizing structural changes at work at a ‘macro’ level. However, little attention has been paid to changes that have taken place in South Africa at the ‘micro’ level – changes to individual subjectivity and gender codes. That said, the thesis opens by summarizing the above mentioned political-economic accounts of neoliberalism in South Africa, because such works are indispensable to understanding how the regime is embedded within and buttressed by major global institutions. Yet, to achieve a holistic grasp of ‘neoliberal South Africa,’ more is needed. A sociological investigation into the impact of neoliberalism on ordinary people’s self-identification uncovers deep cultural reasons for the continued perpetuation of this unjust political-economic system. Only if it can be understood why people comply with the system in the face of suffering, can effective counter-measures be proposed and implemented over time. This thesis is inherently transdisciplinary. The approach rejects the privileging of one discipline over others, and likewise cautions against collapsing or dissolving disciplines into one another. Instead, recognizing the valuable contribution that each discipline can make to critical scrutiny of a particular issue, a form of methodological transversalism is used to bring different disciplines into dialogue with one another. Following this interplay of structural and subjective analysis, the thesis uncovers the role that consumerism plays in the political neutralization of South Africans. Consumer culture, tied as it is to profitable accumulation, instigates the neoliberal ‘values’ of economistic calculation, competition, and social atomization. This ethos is inculcated in individuals, both at work and during leisure hours. Moreover, consumerism derives much of its power from its ‘sexual sell,’ the creation of fashionable and ‘exemplary’ models of masculinity and femininity. In South Africa, these hegemonic gender models serve to instill competitive individualism while derogating indigenous values. The thesis proposes that in order to counter neoliberal hegemony in South Africa, and begin reclaiming the cultural autonomy of its peoples, it is important to invigorate indigenous communitarian practices and norms. The original contribution of this thesis consists in placing the African ethos of ubuntu in transversal dialogue with global ecological feminist voices. Both political perspectives reinforce a liberatory alternative vision for a future based on principles of embodied relationality, care giving and protection of community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Konik, Inga
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Neoliberalism -- South Africa Communitarianism , Literature and society South Africa -- Politics and government -- 21st century
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21656 , vital:29729
- Description: This thesis offers a critique of neoliberal transformation in South Africa, which process results in growing social inequality and political apathy among citizens. Many scholars have made political-economic and historical analyses of the neoliberal transition, emphasizing structural changes at work at a ‘macro’ level. However, little attention has been paid to changes that have taken place in South Africa at the ‘micro’ level – changes to individual subjectivity and gender codes. That said, the thesis opens by summarizing the above mentioned political-economic accounts of neoliberalism in South Africa, because such works are indispensable to understanding how the regime is embedded within and buttressed by major global institutions. Yet, to achieve a holistic grasp of ‘neoliberal South Africa,’ more is needed. A sociological investigation into the impact of neoliberalism on ordinary people’s self-identification uncovers deep cultural reasons for the continued perpetuation of this unjust political-economic system. Only if it can be understood why people comply with the system in the face of suffering, can effective counter-measures be proposed and implemented over time. This thesis is inherently transdisciplinary. The approach rejects the privileging of one discipline over others, and likewise cautions against collapsing or dissolving disciplines into one another. Instead, recognizing the valuable contribution that each discipline can make to critical scrutiny of a particular issue, a form of methodological transversalism is used to bring different disciplines into dialogue with one another. Following this interplay of structural and subjective analysis, the thesis uncovers the role that consumerism plays in the political neutralization of South Africans. Consumer culture, tied as it is to profitable accumulation, instigates the neoliberal ‘values’ of economistic calculation, competition, and social atomization. This ethos is inculcated in individuals, both at work and during leisure hours. Moreover, consumerism derives much of its power from its ‘sexual sell,’ the creation of fashionable and ‘exemplary’ models of masculinity and femininity. In South Africa, these hegemonic gender models serve to instill competitive individualism while derogating indigenous values. The thesis proposes that in order to counter neoliberal hegemony in South Africa, and begin reclaiming the cultural autonomy of its peoples, it is important to invigorate indigenous communitarian practices and norms. The original contribution of this thesis consists in placing the African ethos of ubuntu in transversal dialogue with global ecological feminist voices. Both political perspectives reinforce a liberatory alternative vision for a future based on principles of embodied relationality, care giving and protection of community.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Black women’s narratives of womanhood: before and after hysterectomy
- Kota-Nyati, Phumeza Patricia
- Authors: Kota-Nyati, Phumeza Patricia
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Hysterectomy -- psychological aspects , Women -- psychological aspects Gender identity Intersectionality (Sociology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29995 , vital:30807
- Description: The removal of the uterus, medically referred to as a hysterectomy, is a permanent and irreversible procedure that potentially results in a number of immediate and significant effects. Performing a hysterectomy is at times the only medical option to a long and traumatic history of pelvic pains and surgeries. The decision to undergo this very costly, painful, and life-changing procedure can have an influence on the way women view themselves. Women’s narratives of womanhood before and after hysterectomy need to be understood within the context of women’s socially constructed identities. Gendered identity has been closely linked to genital and/or reproductive organs and the removal of these organs may influence the way women and societies define womanhood.The interpretive paradigm of constructionism with a narrative inquiry design was used as the lens to examine the women’s experiences. In-depth interviews were analysed through thematic analysis. The findings of this research revealed negative experiences resulting from severe symptoms before hysterectomy, exposed multi-layered structures of power and dominance during treatment, and indicated positive outcomes of hysterectomy. The findings should inform medical and allied practitioners regarding hysterectomy as a treatment option and add to the theoretical debate on the relationships between hysterectomy, womanhood, and identity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kota-Nyati, Phumeza Patricia
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Hysterectomy -- psychological aspects , Women -- psychological aspects Gender identity Intersectionality (Sociology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/29995 , vital:30807
- Description: The removal of the uterus, medically referred to as a hysterectomy, is a permanent and irreversible procedure that potentially results in a number of immediate and significant effects. Performing a hysterectomy is at times the only medical option to a long and traumatic history of pelvic pains and surgeries. The decision to undergo this very costly, painful, and life-changing procedure can have an influence on the way women view themselves. Women’s narratives of womanhood before and after hysterectomy need to be understood within the context of women’s socially constructed identities. Gendered identity has been closely linked to genital and/or reproductive organs and the removal of these organs may influence the way women and societies define womanhood.The interpretive paradigm of constructionism with a narrative inquiry design was used as the lens to examine the women’s experiences. In-depth interviews were analysed through thematic analysis. The findings of this research revealed negative experiences resulting from severe symptoms before hysterectomy, exposed multi-layered structures of power and dominance during treatment, and indicated positive outcomes of hysterectomy. The findings should inform medical and allied practitioners regarding hysterectomy as a treatment option and add to the theoretical debate on the relationships between hysterectomy, womanhood, and identity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Development of a community pharmacy experiential learning programme in a South African context: a design research approach
- Kritiotis, Lia Costas, Thesis Advisor
- Authors: Kritiotis, Lia Costas , Thesis Advisor
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pharmacists -- Training of , Experintial training , Community development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17481 , vital:28353
- Description: Application of the design research approach to devise, develop and optimise an experiential learning programme and adaptation of the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) to understand community pharmacists’ motives, are unique contributions to the global pharmacy education setting. This study generated new theory, in the form of substantive and procedural claims (design principles) regarding experiential learning programmes and preceptor and student motivation in a South African pharmacy educational context, which can be added to the existing international landscape and more importantly, plant the foundational seeds of insight that can be utilised as guiding tools by other South African pharmacy faculties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kritiotis, Lia Costas , Thesis Advisor
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Pharmacists -- Training of , Experintial training , Community development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17481 , vital:28353
- Description: Application of the design research approach to devise, develop and optimise an experiential learning programme and adaptation of the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) to understand community pharmacists’ motives, are unique contributions to the global pharmacy education setting. This study generated new theory, in the form of substantive and procedural claims (design principles) regarding experiential learning programmes and preceptor and student motivation in a South African pharmacy educational context, which can be added to the existing international landscape and more importantly, plant the foundational seeds of insight that can be utilised as guiding tools by other South African pharmacy faculties.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Development and evaluation of the coach-athlete relationship enhancement intervention
- Authors: Kuit, Wim
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Interpersonal relations , Coaching (Athletics) -- Psychological aspects Sports -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22508 , vital:29989
- Description: An expanding body of sport psychology theory and research has highlighted the central role of the coach-athlete relationship (CAR) in the performance, satisfaction and well-being of coaches as well as athletes. Models have been developed that identify the key dimensions of CAR quality and the interpersonal behaviour that maintains it, but there remains a need for interventions that support coaches and athletes to optimise their interpersonal skills. This can be done by harnessing recent advances in personality theory which emphasise a more holistic and developmental view of the person and provide a basis for greater mutual understanding and adaptive interpersonal behaviour change in the CAR. The aims of this study were to develop the Coach-Athlete Relationship Enhancement (CARE) intervention through an integration of the Enneagram personality typology with current models of the CAR, and then to evaluate the impact of the CARE intervention on CAR quality. Sixty-two university-level athletes and their nine coaches participated in the study. Quantitative and qualitative results indicate that the CARE intervention significantly enhanced CAR quality, including direct and meta-perceptions of closeness, commitment and complementarity, as well as co-orientation. Intervention outcomes included enhanced mutual understanding in the CAR, enhanced self-awareness, enhanced team relationships, and adaptive interpersonal behaviour change. These outcomes were associated with a shared awareness between coaches and athletes of their Enneagram personality type traits and motivations. Coach-athlete relationship quality was further enhanced by re-constructing coaches’ and athletes’ personal narratives based on self-descriptions of Enneagram type strengths, and a redefinition of individuals’ core motivations to incorporate adaptive interpersonal behaviour change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kuit, Wim
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Interpersonal relations , Coaching (Athletics) -- Psychological aspects Sports -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22508 , vital:29989
- Description: An expanding body of sport psychology theory and research has highlighted the central role of the coach-athlete relationship (CAR) in the performance, satisfaction and well-being of coaches as well as athletes. Models have been developed that identify the key dimensions of CAR quality and the interpersonal behaviour that maintains it, but there remains a need for interventions that support coaches and athletes to optimise their interpersonal skills. This can be done by harnessing recent advances in personality theory which emphasise a more holistic and developmental view of the person and provide a basis for greater mutual understanding and adaptive interpersonal behaviour change in the CAR. The aims of this study were to develop the Coach-Athlete Relationship Enhancement (CARE) intervention through an integration of the Enneagram personality typology with current models of the CAR, and then to evaluate the impact of the CARE intervention on CAR quality. Sixty-two university-level athletes and their nine coaches participated in the study. Quantitative and qualitative results indicate that the CARE intervention significantly enhanced CAR quality, including direct and meta-perceptions of closeness, commitment and complementarity, as well as co-orientation. Intervention outcomes included enhanced mutual understanding in the CAR, enhanced self-awareness, enhanced team relationships, and adaptive interpersonal behaviour change. These outcomes were associated with a shared awareness between coaches and athletes of their Enneagram personality type traits and motivations. Coach-athlete relationship quality was further enhanced by re-constructing coaches’ and athletes’ personal narratives based on self-descriptions of Enneagram type strengths, and a redefinition of individuals’ core motivations to incorporate adaptive interpersonal behaviour change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A framework for improving construction workers’ health and safety practices in Lagos, Nigeria
- Authors: Kukoyi, Patricia Omega
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Health aspects -- Lagos -- Nigeria , Industrial safety -- Lagos -- Nigeria Sustainable construction -- Lagos -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30962 , vital:31235
- Description: The construction sector is known for its poor health and safety (H&S) record. This situation contributes to the poor performance of construction projects and poor worker productivity. In view of this, the research was undertaken to improve workers’ H&S practices. This study determined how the systems thinking approach will mitigate unhealthy and unsafe construction practices in Lagos, Nigeria by developing interventions, and proposing a model for improved H&S practices. The study utilised a mixed research method approach. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used specifically the concurrent embedded method to obtain and analyse the data. The sample size for the quantitative study was 375 respondents and a total of 40 respondents were engaged in the qualitative study. The sample consisted of designers, contractors, clients, quantity surveyors, project managers, construction managers, supervisors, and construction workers (masons, carpenters, painters, roofers, electricians) based in Lagos, Nigeria. The findings reveal that there is inadequate consideration for H&S during the procurement of construction projects. Furthermore, the absence of H&S regulations relating to the construction sector was observed. Unsafe practices at construction sites in Nigeria can be attributed to this discovery. The study reveals that the regulatory system, the organisation, the individual and the work environment all have an impact on H&S work practices. Although the contractors are mainly responsible for H&S at construction sites, other construction stakeholders (such as clients, consultants, etc.) influence H&S practices. The findings highlight the need for the adoption of a holistic approach to facilitate improvement in H&S practices on construction sites. The research has contributed to the body of knowledge by developing a framework for improving workers’ H&S performance on construction sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kukoyi, Patricia Omega
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Health aspects -- Lagos -- Nigeria , Industrial safety -- Lagos -- Nigeria Sustainable construction -- Lagos -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30962 , vital:31235
- Description: The construction sector is known for its poor health and safety (H&S) record. This situation contributes to the poor performance of construction projects and poor worker productivity. In view of this, the research was undertaken to improve workers’ H&S practices. This study determined how the systems thinking approach will mitigate unhealthy and unsafe construction practices in Lagos, Nigeria by developing interventions, and proposing a model for improved H&S practices. The study utilised a mixed research method approach. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used specifically the concurrent embedded method to obtain and analyse the data. The sample size for the quantitative study was 375 respondents and a total of 40 respondents were engaged in the qualitative study. The sample consisted of designers, contractors, clients, quantity surveyors, project managers, construction managers, supervisors, and construction workers (masons, carpenters, painters, roofers, electricians) based in Lagos, Nigeria. The findings reveal that there is inadequate consideration for H&S during the procurement of construction projects. Furthermore, the absence of H&S regulations relating to the construction sector was observed. Unsafe practices at construction sites in Nigeria can be attributed to this discovery. The study reveals that the regulatory system, the organisation, the individual and the work environment all have an impact on H&S work practices. Although the contractors are mainly responsible for H&S at construction sites, other construction stakeholders (such as clients, consultants, etc.) influence H&S practices. The findings highlight the need for the adoption of a holistic approach to facilitate improvement in H&S practices on construction sites. The research has contributed to the body of knowledge by developing a framework for improving workers’ H&S performance on construction sites.
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- Date Issued: 2018