Developing the marital life course perspective as a conceptual framework for describing and understanding marital life events and marital transitions
- Authors: Rautenbach, John Victor
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Marriage , Marital status , Married people
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/2991 , vital:20384
- Description: This research seeks to explore the development of the Marital Life Course Perspective as a conceptual framework for describing and understanding marital life events and marital transitions. The study’s orientation is guided by the Life Course Perspective (Glen Elder Jr.) as a theoretical framework and draws on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Jonathan Smith) and Concept Analysis (Walker & Avant) as methodological approaches. One hundred and thirty (130) academic works that use the term marital life course in their texts constituted a literature-dataset for a Concept Analysis (Walker & Avant, 1988; 2011) that tracked the theoretical development of the Marital Life Course Perspective since 1980 (George, 1980, p. 80). The residents of retirement centres and old age homes in East London and Buffalo City (all older than 65 years of age) were invited to share a retrospective history of their relationship experiences, about their multiple marital life events and the marital transitions that shaped their marital life course. The 16 women who participated in the in-depth interviews had all been previously married more than once and were currently single due to divorce or the death of their husbands. This empirical data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as a guide (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2009). After the analysis and synthesis of both datasets the following proposed operational definition of the Marital Life Course Perspective was constructed: The Marital Life Course Perspective is a conceptual framework for describing and understanding marital life events and marital transitions. As a subset of the Life Course Perspective, the Marital Life Course Perspective seeks to understand all stages of the marital experience within their wider social and cultural contexts, which are shaped by the historical dimension of a cohort’s specific time and geographic location. Marital life events include, but are not limited to, marital status changes. An individual may experience multiple marriage life events throughout their life, each with associated role transitions that vary according to their temporality and the individuals whose lives are linked to the marital experience. Well-being and transition outcomes across the marital life course may be promoted or impeded by an interplay of risk and protective factors, and agency-related capacity or resilience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Rautenbach, John Victor
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Marriage , Marital status , Married people
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/2991 , vital:20384
- Description: This research seeks to explore the development of the Marital Life Course Perspective as a conceptual framework for describing and understanding marital life events and marital transitions. The study’s orientation is guided by the Life Course Perspective (Glen Elder Jr.) as a theoretical framework and draws on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Jonathan Smith) and Concept Analysis (Walker & Avant) as methodological approaches. One hundred and thirty (130) academic works that use the term marital life course in their texts constituted a literature-dataset for a Concept Analysis (Walker & Avant, 1988; 2011) that tracked the theoretical development of the Marital Life Course Perspective since 1980 (George, 1980, p. 80). The residents of retirement centres and old age homes in East London and Buffalo City (all older than 65 years of age) were invited to share a retrospective history of their relationship experiences, about their multiple marital life events and the marital transitions that shaped their marital life course. The 16 women who participated in the in-depth interviews had all been previously married more than once and were currently single due to divorce or the death of their husbands. This empirical data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as a guide (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2009). After the analysis and synthesis of both datasets the following proposed operational definition of the Marital Life Course Perspective was constructed: The Marital Life Course Perspective is a conceptual framework for describing and understanding marital life events and marital transitions. As a subset of the Life Course Perspective, the Marital Life Course Perspective seeks to understand all stages of the marital experience within their wider social and cultural contexts, which are shaped by the historical dimension of a cohort’s specific time and geographic location. Marital life events include, but are not limited to, marital status changes. An individual may experience multiple marriage life events throughout their life, each with associated role transitions that vary according to their temporality and the individuals whose lives are linked to the marital experience. Well-being and transition outcomes across the marital life course may be promoted or impeded by an interplay of risk and protective factors, and agency-related capacity or resilience.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
An international study on the influence of intrinsic rewards on the intrinsic motivation, work engagement and retention of employees in non-profit organisations
- Authors: Renard, Michelle
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Employee motivation , Achievement motivation , Organisational behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5148 , vital:20815
- Description: The primary objective of this thesis was to investigate whether intrinsic rewards play a role in the intrinsic motivation, work engagement and retention of employees working within non-profit organisations in Australia, Belgium, South Africa and the United States of America. It therefore served to form a cross-cultural comparison between employees from these four geographically dispersed yet culturally similar countries. A further aim was to determine whether demographic differences occurred across the four constructs studied. In order to achieve these objectives, a theoretical model was constructed to highlight the relationships between the constructs under study. The study made use of both qualitative and quantitative research to achieve the above-mentioned objectives. As a result of the data obtained from 15 qualitative interviews conducted with non-profit employees in Belgium and South Africa, two measuring instruments, namely the Intrinsic Work Rewards Scale and the Intrinsic Work Motivation Scale, were developed to assess intrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation respectively. These measuring instruments were qualitatively piloted on a sample of academics and non-profit employees, and were translated from English into Dutch for use on the Belgian sample. Once these instruments had been refined, they were combined with instruments to measure work engagement and intention to quit to form a composite questionnaire. This questionnaire was completed electronically by 587 non-profit employees from the four countries under study. Data analysis was conducted in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency tables, Cronbach’s alpha testing, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlations, chi-square tests, t-tests, analysis of variance and structural equation modelling. The quantitative findings showed that intrinsic rewards lead to higher levels of intrinsic motivation, which in turn causes higher levels of work engagement and lower levels of intention to quit. Intrinsic rewards were also found directly to predict a reduction in employees’ intentions to quit their non-profit organisations, and work engagement directly predicted an increase in intention to quit. From a cross-cultural perspective, practically significant inter-country differences were discovered across the intrinsic rewards of meaningful work and challenging work; across intrinsic motivation and its three dimensions (personal connection to one’s work, personal desire to make a difference, and personal desire to perform); and across work engagement and its three factors (absorption, dedication and vigour). In addition to these inter-country results, age and job level differences were discovered across the four constructs under study, together with significant correlations between the four constructs. The Intrinsic Work Rewards Scale and the Intrinsic Work Motivation Scale were successfully validated in both English and Dutch in this study, with a number of forms of validity being confirmed through factor analyses and correlations. Reliability was proven through satisfactory Cronbach’s alpha values being obtained for both language versions of the instruments. These results theoretically contribute to literature pertaining to intrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation as a result of the development of two measuring instruments that were empirically validated to assess these constructs. Furthermore, the results make a valuable contribution to the field of rewards management globally. This study’s findings provide evidence for causal relationships between four constructs not previously tested empirically, specifically within Australia, Belgium, South Africa and the United States of America. Consequently, this study’s results hold important implications for the management of non-profit employees worldwide.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Renard, Michelle
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Employee motivation , Achievement motivation , Organisational behaviour
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5148 , vital:20815
- Description: The primary objective of this thesis was to investigate whether intrinsic rewards play a role in the intrinsic motivation, work engagement and retention of employees working within non-profit organisations in Australia, Belgium, South Africa and the United States of America. It therefore served to form a cross-cultural comparison between employees from these four geographically dispersed yet culturally similar countries. A further aim was to determine whether demographic differences occurred across the four constructs studied. In order to achieve these objectives, a theoretical model was constructed to highlight the relationships between the constructs under study. The study made use of both qualitative and quantitative research to achieve the above-mentioned objectives. As a result of the data obtained from 15 qualitative interviews conducted with non-profit employees in Belgium and South Africa, two measuring instruments, namely the Intrinsic Work Rewards Scale and the Intrinsic Work Motivation Scale, were developed to assess intrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation respectively. These measuring instruments were qualitatively piloted on a sample of academics and non-profit employees, and were translated from English into Dutch for use on the Belgian sample. Once these instruments had been refined, they were combined with instruments to measure work engagement and intention to quit to form a composite questionnaire. This questionnaire was completed electronically by 587 non-profit employees from the four countries under study. Data analysis was conducted in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency tables, Cronbach’s alpha testing, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlations, chi-square tests, t-tests, analysis of variance and structural equation modelling. The quantitative findings showed that intrinsic rewards lead to higher levels of intrinsic motivation, which in turn causes higher levels of work engagement and lower levels of intention to quit. Intrinsic rewards were also found directly to predict a reduction in employees’ intentions to quit their non-profit organisations, and work engagement directly predicted an increase in intention to quit. From a cross-cultural perspective, practically significant inter-country differences were discovered across the intrinsic rewards of meaningful work and challenging work; across intrinsic motivation and its three dimensions (personal connection to one’s work, personal desire to make a difference, and personal desire to perform); and across work engagement and its three factors (absorption, dedication and vigour). In addition to these inter-country results, age and job level differences were discovered across the four constructs under study, together with significant correlations between the four constructs. The Intrinsic Work Rewards Scale and the Intrinsic Work Motivation Scale were successfully validated in both English and Dutch in this study, with a number of forms of validity being confirmed through factor analyses and correlations. Reliability was proven through satisfactory Cronbach’s alpha values being obtained for both language versions of the instruments. These results theoretically contribute to literature pertaining to intrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation as a result of the development of two measuring instruments that were empirically validated to assess these constructs. Furthermore, the results make a valuable contribution to the field of rewards management globally. This study’s findings provide evidence for causal relationships between four constructs not previously tested empirically, specifically within Australia, Belgium, South Africa and the United States of America. Consequently, this study’s results hold important implications for the management of non-profit employees worldwide.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Capacity building for developmental local government in the Kicukiro District of Rwanda
- Authors: Rutebuka, Balinda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- Rwanda , Economic development -- Rwanda , Local government -- Rwanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8490 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020906
- Description: This study investigated the capacity building for developmental local government with reference to the Kicukiro District of Rwanda. Its aim was to examine the contribution of capacity-building interventions towards a developmental local government and at the same time investigate factors that hinder their implementation in Kicukiro district. The study provides an extensive historical background on local government in Rwa-nda with a particular focus on its policy, legal and institutional framework, whereby the developmental local government environment has been analysed. Furthermore, this study explores the theoretical framework of capacity building in general, and in this regard particular emphasis was given to capacity building in relation to developmental local government. The study also argued that without appropriate capacity it would be difficult for the district to fulfil its developmental mandate. This research followed both qualitative and quantitative approaches of study. It involved a survey in which a structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews were used as data gathering instruments. Through data analysis, findings of the study have shed light on the fact that capacity building constitutes an indispensable mechanism for local government to achieve its developmental mandate, despite challenges associated with the process of capacity building. The study found that the Kicukiro district has made a significant progress towards the implementation of capacity-building interventions despite the fact that these interventions are still fragmented, uncoordinated and still supply-driven. Furthermore, the study revealed that the capacities already built generated considerable impetus that contributed to socio-economic development within the Kicukiro district. The study also found that despite the progress made in both capacity building and development in Kicukiro district, there are capacity gaps and factors which are undermining further progress in this regard. Therefore, the study recommends, among others, an effective co-ordination of capacity-building interventions in order to avoid duplication and fragmentation of capacity-building efforts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Rutebuka, Balinda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainable development -- Rwanda , Economic development -- Rwanda , Local government -- Rwanda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8490 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020906
- Description: This study investigated the capacity building for developmental local government with reference to the Kicukiro District of Rwanda. Its aim was to examine the contribution of capacity-building interventions towards a developmental local government and at the same time investigate factors that hinder their implementation in Kicukiro district. The study provides an extensive historical background on local government in Rwa-nda with a particular focus on its policy, legal and institutional framework, whereby the developmental local government environment has been analysed. Furthermore, this study explores the theoretical framework of capacity building in general, and in this regard particular emphasis was given to capacity building in relation to developmental local government. The study also argued that without appropriate capacity it would be difficult for the district to fulfil its developmental mandate. This research followed both qualitative and quantitative approaches of study. It involved a survey in which a structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews were used as data gathering instruments. Through data analysis, findings of the study have shed light on the fact that capacity building constitutes an indispensable mechanism for local government to achieve its developmental mandate, despite challenges associated with the process of capacity building. The study found that the Kicukiro district has made a significant progress towards the implementation of capacity-building interventions despite the fact that these interventions are still fragmented, uncoordinated and still supply-driven. Furthermore, the study revealed that the capacities already built generated considerable impetus that contributed to socio-economic development within the Kicukiro district. The study also found that despite the progress made in both capacity building and development in Kicukiro district, there are capacity gaps and factors which are undermining further progress in this regard. Therefore, the study recommends, among others, an effective co-ordination of capacity-building interventions in order to avoid duplication and fragmentation of capacity-building efforts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Strategies to facilitate community-based health care for severely and persistently mentally ill persons
- Authors: Shasha, Nontembeko Grycelda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mentally ill -- Rehabilitation , Community mental health services , Community mental health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3755 , vital:20461
- Description: The goal of mental health delivery system is to allow the individual with severe and persistent mental illness to live and function effectively in the community and to ensure that the consumers and their families have access to accurate information that promotes learning, self-monitoring and accountability (Stuart & Laraia, 2005:710). In community-based health care, the persons living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) are in their natural environment in the context of the family and the community. The goals of care are focused around maximizing the person living with SPMI’s quality of life (Hunt, 2001:15-16). In South Africa, an integrated package of essential Primary Health Care (PHC) services has been made available to the entire population in order to provide the solid foundation of a single unified health care service (Department of Health, 2000:4). The assessment of health care needs of persons living with SPMI is a dynamic on-going process that is used to collect information, recognise changes, analyse needs and plan health care to provide baseline information to help evaluate the physiological and psychological normality and functional capacity of persons with SPMI (Hunt, 2001:100). There is insufficient information from the Department of Health to either satisfy the enquiry of whether the health care needs of persons living with SPMI are being met comprehensively or whether the practitioners rendering community-based health care are knowledgeable and comply with PHC norms and standards developed by this Department. The researcher is interested in understanding how the persons living with SPMI and their families experience the community-based health care provided by PHC nurses. The purpose of this research study is to develop strategies that would assist the PHC nurses in the selected rural areas of the Eastern Cape to facilitate community-based health care and to render a health care service relevant to the health care needs of the persons living with SPMI and their families. To achieve the objective of the study, the research design was based on a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual research approach. Phase one includes describing and selecting the research population and the sampling process prior to conducting the field work which comprises individual interviews with persons living with SPMI and their families as well as PHC nurses. According to Dickoff, James and Weidenbach (1968:422) and Chinn and Kramer (1995:78), this strategy involves identifying concepts from fieldwork and creating conceptual meaning to provide a foundation for developing strategies to facilitate community-based care for persons living with mental illness. Phase two of the research design will focus on development of conceptual framework in order to allow better understanding of the phenomenon of interest, as the major concepts will be simplified by connecting all related concepts together by means of statements. This was done by making use of the themes identified during data analysis and the literature sources used throughout this research process. The evaluation criteria of Chinn and Kramer (2008:237-248) were used to evaluate the strategies. It is therefore concluded that the researcher succeeded in achieving the purpose of this study because strategies which were understandable, clear, applicable and relevant to the nursing practice have been developed for use by Department of Health and Primary Health Care to facilitate the multifaceted role of the PHC nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Shasha, Nontembeko Grycelda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Mentally ill -- Rehabilitation , Community mental health services , Community mental health services -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3755 , vital:20461
- Description: The goal of mental health delivery system is to allow the individual with severe and persistent mental illness to live and function effectively in the community and to ensure that the consumers and their families have access to accurate information that promotes learning, self-monitoring and accountability (Stuart & Laraia, 2005:710). In community-based health care, the persons living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) are in their natural environment in the context of the family and the community. The goals of care are focused around maximizing the person living with SPMI’s quality of life (Hunt, 2001:15-16). In South Africa, an integrated package of essential Primary Health Care (PHC) services has been made available to the entire population in order to provide the solid foundation of a single unified health care service (Department of Health, 2000:4). The assessment of health care needs of persons living with SPMI is a dynamic on-going process that is used to collect information, recognise changes, analyse needs and plan health care to provide baseline information to help evaluate the physiological and psychological normality and functional capacity of persons with SPMI (Hunt, 2001:100). There is insufficient information from the Department of Health to either satisfy the enquiry of whether the health care needs of persons living with SPMI are being met comprehensively or whether the practitioners rendering community-based health care are knowledgeable and comply with PHC norms and standards developed by this Department. The researcher is interested in understanding how the persons living with SPMI and their families experience the community-based health care provided by PHC nurses. The purpose of this research study is to develop strategies that would assist the PHC nurses in the selected rural areas of the Eastern Cape to facilitate community-based health care and to render a health care service relevant to the health care needs of the persons living with SPMI and their families. To achieve the objective of the study, the research design was based on a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual research approach. Phase one includes describing and selecting the research population and the sampling process prior to conducting the field work which comprises individual interviews with persons living with SPMI and their families as well as PHC nurses. According to Dickoff, James and Weidenbach (1968:422) and Chinn and Kramer (1995:78), this strategy involves identifying concepts from fieldwork and creating conceptual meaning to provide a foundation for developing strategies to facilitate community-based care for persons living with mental illness. Phase two of the research design will focus on development of conceptual framework in order to allow better understanding of the phenomenon of interest, as the major concepts will be simplified by connecting all related concepts together by means of statements. This was done by making use of the themes identified during data analysis and the literature sources used throughout this research process. The evaluation criteria of Chinn and Kramer (2008:237-248) were used to evaluate the strategies. It is therefore concluded that the researcher succeeded in achieving the purpose of this study because strategies which were understandable, clear, applicable and relevant to the nursing practice have been developed for use by Department of Health and Primary Health Care to facilitate the multifaceted role of the PHC nurses.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Nutritional value and cultivation requirements of Cleome Gynandra: a wild vegetable growing in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Sowunmi, Linda Ifeanyichukwu
- Authors: Sowunmi, Linda Ifeanyichukwu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Ethnobotany -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vegetables -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nutrition -- South Africa -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2600 , vital:27907
- Description: South Africa has wide ranges of plants among which are leafy vegetables growing in the wild. These wild vegetables have been reported to have high nutritive and medicinal potentials. Yet, there is still high prevalence of malnutrition and micronutrients deficiencies among the low income bracket of the population. Effective utilization of wild vegetables has been proposed as part of the solutions to address the problem of dietary deficiencies among the populace. Their importance is mainly as relish to accompany and complement starch based diets. They are also known to serve as supplements for food which have the potential to improve the health status of its consumers in many rural communities. Cleome gynandra L. (Capparaceae) is one of the underutilized species mentioned during asurvey conducted in Nkonkobe municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The plant is an erect annual herb with alternate, palmately compound leaves and its petals are white, pink or lilac. It grows as a weed in this part of the Province and is usually gathered from the wild for food and medicine. It is commonly found on wastes land, road sides and on grass lands. Therefore, this research work was designed to contribute to the possible domestication of this wild vegetable in order to explore the nutritive and therapeutic potentials which would broaden the food base in the Eastern Cape Province. The ultra-micromorphological features of plants have become an essential tool in proper identification and authentication of several plant species. In the light of this, the micromorphology of Cleome gynandra was examined to reveal the micro-morphological characters of the plantand to determine if micro and macro mineral elements are present using energy dispersive x-rays. The present study revealed the epidermal cells of the leaves to be asymmetric in shape with undulating cell walls having four subsidiary cells around the stomata. The leaves have anomocyctic stomata which are more distributed in the abaxial surface than the adaxial surface. The mean length and width of the guard cells in the abaxial surface are 0.09 ± 0.01 mm and 0.08 ± 0.01 mm respectively while that of adaxial surface are 0.1± 0.01 mm and 0.07 ± 0.01 mm respectively. The energy dispersive x-rays (EDXS) micro-analysis of the leaf revealed the presence of phosphorus, manganese, iron, calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium and zinc as the major constituents of the crystal deposits present in the stomata pores and the mesophyll. C. gynandra was collected from the wild and analysed for its mineral and proximatecomposition using standard analytical methods. The plant showed high levels of sodium, iron, zinc, calcium and potassium while many other macro and micro minerals were moderately present. Amongst the proximate factors investigated, moisture content was found to be 82.1% while crude fibre and protein contents were 39.9 percent and 31.03 percent respectively. Vitamin C was also high (345.3 mg/100g). The anti-nutrients compositions revealed low concentrations of oxalate (7.4 ± 0.4) and phytate (0.6 ± 0.0) mg/100g. The study revealed high nutritive value of the species growing naturally from the wild. Interest in the phenolic compounds has greatly increased recently because these compounds have been implicated in suppressing the risk of degenerative diseases in humans. The pharmacological properties of plants may be related to their antioxidant capacities and hence there was need to investigate the antioxidant potential using aqueous, ethanolic and acetone extracts of different parts of C. gynandra. The quantities of phenols, flavonoids and flavonols were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in both aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaf while the concentration of proanthocyanidins was higher in the aqueous stem extract compared to other plant parts. The aqueous extract of the different parts exhibited better ABTS, reducing power and NO radical scavenging abilities than ethanol extract.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Sowunmi, Linda Ifeanyichukwu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Ethnobotany -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vegetables -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Nutrition -- South Africa -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2600 , vital:27907
- Description: South Africa has wide ranges of plants among which are leafy vegetables growing in the wild. These wild vegetables have been reported to have high nutritive and medicinal potentials. Yet, there is still high prevalence of malnutrition and micronutrients deficiencies among the low income bracket of the population. Effective utilization of wild vegetables has been proposed as part of the solutions to address the problem of dietary deficiencies among the populace. Their importance is mainly as relish to accompany and complement starch based diets. They are also known to serve as supplements for food which have the potential to improve the health status of its consumers in many rural communities. Cleome gynandra L. (Capparaceae) is one of the underutilized species mentioned during asurvey conducted in Nkonkobe municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The plant is an erect annual herb with alternate, palmately compound leaves and its petals are white, pink or lilac. It grows as a weed in this part of the Province and is usually gathered from the wild for food and medicine. It is commonly found on wastes land, road sides and on grass lands. Therefore, this research work was designed to contribute to the possible domestication of this wild vegetable in order to explore the nutritive and therapeutic potentials which would broaden the food base in the Eastern Cape Province. The ultra-micromorphological features of plants have become an essential tool in proper identification and authentication of several plant species. In the light of this, the micromorphology of Cleome gynandra was examined to reveal the micro-morphological characters of the plantand to determine if micro and macro mineral elements are present using energy dispersive x-rays. The present study revealed the epidermal cells of the leaves to be asymmetric in shape with undulating cell walls having four subsidiary cells around the stomata. The leaves have anomocyctic stomata which are more distributed in the abaxial surface than the adaxial surface. The mean length and width of the guard cells in the abaxial surface are 0.09 ± 0.01 mm and 0.08 ± 0.01 mm respectively while that of adaxial surface are 0.1± 0.01 mm and 0.07 ± 0.01 mm respectively. The energy dispersive x-rays (EDXS) micro-analysis of the leaf revealed the presence of phosphorus, manganese, iron, calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium and zinc as the major constituents of the crystal deposits present in the stomata pores and the mesophyll. C. gynandra was collected from the wild and analysed for its mineral and proximatecomposition using standard analytical methods. The plant showed high levels of sodium, iron, zinc, calcium and potassium while many other macro and micro minerals were moderately present. Amongst the proximate factors investigated, moisture content was found to be 82.1% while crude fibre and protein contents were 39.9 percent and 31.03 percent respectively. Vitamin C was also high (345.3 mg/100g). The anti-nutrients compositions revealed low concentrations of oxalate (7.4 ± 0.4) and phytate (0.6 ± 0.0) mg/100g. The study revealed high nutritive value of the species growing naturally from the wild. Interest in the phenolic compounds has greatly increased recently because these compounds have been implicated in suppressing the risk of degenerative diseases in humans. The pharmacological properties of plants may be related to their antioxidant capacities and hence there was need to investigate the antioxidant potential using aqueous, ethanolic and acetone extracts of different parts of C. gynandra. The quantities of phenols, flavonoids and flavonols were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in both aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaf while the concentration of proanthocyanidins was higher in the aqueous stem extract compared to other plant parts. The aqueous extract of the different parts exhibited better ABTS, reducing power and NO radical scavenging abilities than ethanol extract.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Evaluating the effectiveness of public participation in the environmental impact assessment process in South Africa
- Authors: Uithaler, Eldrid Marlon
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Environmental impact analysis -- South Africa , Environmental policy -- Citizen participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5928 , vital:21015
- Description: This research is based on reflections of various practitioners and their views on how public participation processes may or may not contribute to effective EIA decisions. It is therefore grounded in what is described as practitioner-based research. To study comparative development activities effectively, one must draw on many disciplines and construct a balanced understanding of historical and contemporary development processes. No single conventional disciplinary area of research is able to integrate the issues of public participation, EIA and decision-making in the context of the current development debate. The emergence of Trans-disciplinary areas of research allows for such integration. The Africa Earth Observatory Network (AEON) institute creates the space for this study to achieve an integrated response to the question of the effectiveness of public participation in EIA and decision-making. This further creates the opportunity to contribute and expand the growing body of knowledge and literature of public participation in the earth stewardship science discipline. Making use of triangulation, this study fulfils four major tasks: firstly, an assessment is made on the historical and theoretical importance, process and outcome of both EIA and public participation internationally and in South Africa. Secondly, three prominent case studies (i) the Coega IDZ, (ii) the Pondoland N2 Toll Road, and (iii) the anticipated Hydraulic Fracturing in the Karoo each focusses on concerns of an environmental, socio-economic, and political nature to assess if the public participation process has had influence, if any, on the final decisions for these projects to go-ahead. Thirdly, a survey was conducted to establish the views and perceptions of practitioners in the EIA and public participation domain on the effectiveness of public participation in EIA processes. Lastly, face-to-face interviews were conducted with various ‘pracademics’, i.e. consultants, practitioners, government, and non-governmental officials to establish their views on how public participation may or may not influence EIA decisions. Utilising the International Association for Public Participation’s (IAP2) participation spectrum as an evaluation tool, this research explores thirteen key criteria normally attributed to effective public participation. This provides a scale (inform, involve, consult, collaborate) to assess whether public participation in EIA in South Africa is least effective (inform) or most effective (collaborate). My research confirms that in South Africa an enabling environment to address impacts on our environment is emerging. One of the main challenges remains putting in place robust, clear and effective regulations, models or approaches that provide for effective public participation and decision-making in EIAs. My research also suggests that the legislation on which EIA is based cannot by itself guarantee the effectiveness of public participation processes. In practice, EIA is an institutional process of power division between different actors, and the practitioner or ‘pracademic’ has to play a more fundamental role to ensure effectiveness and fairness in the public participation process. Academic commentators should therefore call for new approaches that emphasise collaborative interaction between decision-makers and the public as well as deliberation amongst participants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Uithaler, Eldrid Marlon
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Environmental impact analysis -- South Africa , Environmental policy -- Citizen participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5928 , vital:21015
- Description: This research is based on reflections of various practitioners and their views on how public participation processes may or may not contribute to effective EIA decisions. It is therefore grounded in what is described as practitioner-based research. To study comparative development activities effectively, one must draw on many disciplines and construct a balanced understanding of historical and contemporary development processes. No single conventional disciplinary area of research is able to integrate the issues of public participation, EIA and decision-making in the context of the current development debate. The emergence of Trans-disciplinary areas of research allows for such integration. The Africa Earth Observatory Network (AEON) institute creates the space for this study to achieve an integrated response to the question of the effectiveness of public participation in EIA and decision-making. This further creates the opportunity to contribute and expand the growing body of knowledge and literature of public participation in the earth stewardship science discipline. Making use of triangulation, this study fulfils four major tasks: firstly, an assessment is made on the historical and theoretical importance, process and outcome of both EIA and public participation internationally and in South Africa. Secondly, three prominent case studies (i) the Coega IDZ, (ii) the Pondoland N2 Toll Road, and (iii) the anticipated Hydraulic Fracturing in the Karoo each focusses on concerns of an environmental, socio-economic, and political nature to assess if the public participation process has had influence, if any, on the final decisions for these projects to go-ahead. Thirdly, a survey was conducted to establish the views and perceptions of practitioners in the EIA and public participation domain on the effectiveness of public participation in EIA processes. Lastly, face-to-face interviews were conducted with various ‘pracademics’, i.e. consultants, practitioners, government, and non-governmental officials to establish their views on how public participation may or may not influence EIA decisions. Utilising the International Association for Public Participation’s (IAP2) participation spectrum as an evaluation tool, this research explores thirteen key criteria normally attributed to effective public participation. This provides a scale (inform, involve, consult, collaborate) to assess whether public participation in EIA in South Africa is least effective (inform) or most effective (collaborate). My research confirms that in South Africa an enabling environment to address impacts on our environment is emerging. One of the main challenges remains putting in place robust, clear and effective regulations, models or approaches that provide for effective public participation and decision-making in EIAs. My research also suggests that the legislation on which EIA is based cannot by itself guarantee the effectiveness of public participation processes. In practice, EIA is an institutional process of power division between different actors, and the practitioner or ‘pracademic’ has to play a more fundamental role to ensure effectiveness and fairness in the public participation process. Academic commentators should therefore call for new approaches that emphasise collaborative interaction between decision-makers and the public as well as deliberation amongst participants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Co-mapping the maze: a complex systems view of human trafficking in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Van der Westhuizen, Amanda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Human trafficking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forced labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23305 , vital:30523
- Description: Researchers have described human trafficking as a complex, multi-layered crime. South Africa, including the Eastern Cape Province, is a source, transit, and destination country for trafficked people. However, a dearth of research on human trafficking exists in the province. Furthermore, traditional, modernist research using reductionist methods to investigate complex phenomena has proven unable to capture the complex interrelationships between the myriad of interrelated elements inherent in complex phenomena. In this qualitative study, I explore and describe the human trafficking system in the Eastern Cape via participants’ perspectives through a complex systems approach that consists of two complementary theories, namely Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory of human development and complexity theory. The participants, who were knowledgeable about human trafficking in the province, were obtained through purposive and snowball sampling. Data collection took place through open-ended interviews with individual participants. I analysed the data according to Miles and Huberman’s data analysis process and Braun and Clarke’s thematic data analysis process. The findings demonstrate that the complex systems approach successfully facilitated the mapping and conceptualisation of an in-depth, multi-level picture of the complex interrelationships within and between multiple system components in the human trafficking system and its environment in relation to the Eastern Cape Province. Participants’ perspectives revealed two main themes, namely, the prominence of the nonlinear interactions between traffickers and trafficked persons in the holistic human trafficking system and the major obstacle regarding the lack of witness credibility for human trafficking prosecutions to be successful. Utilising complex systems theory to conduct further human trafficking research could assist counter-trafficking stakeholders with an alternative approach to generating effective planning and executing counter human trafficking strategies in a rapidly changing and increasing complex interconnected world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Van der Westhuizen, Amanda
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Human trafficking -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forced labor -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23305 , vital:30523
- Description: Researchers have described human trafficking as a complex, multi-layered crime. South Africa, including the Eastern Cape Province, is a source, transit, and destination country for trafficked people. However, a dearth of research on human trafficking exists in the province. Furthermore, traditional, modernist research using reductionist methods to investigate complex phenomena has proven unable to capture the complex interrelationships between the myriad of interrelated elements inherent in complex phenomena. In this qualitative study, I explore and describe the human trafficking system in the Eastern Cape via participants’ perspectives through a complex systems approach that consists of two complementary theories, namely Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory of human development and complexity theory. The participants, who were knowledgeable about human trafficking in the province, were obtained through purposive and snowball sampling. Data collection took place through open-ended interviews with individual participants. I analysed the data according to Miles and Huberman’s data analysis process and Braun and Clarke’s thematic data analysis process. The findings demonstrate that the complex systems approach successfully facilitated the mapping and conceptualisation of an in-depth, multi-level picture of the complex interrelationships within and between multiple system components in the human trafficking system and its environment in relation to the Eastern Cape Province. Participants’ perspectives revealed two main themes, namely, the prominence of the nonlinear interactions between traffickers and trafficked persons in the holistic human trafficking system and the major obstacle regarding the lack of witness credibility for human trafficking prosecutions to be successful. Utilising complex systems theory to conduct further human trafficking research could assist counter-trafficking stakeholders with an alternative approach to generating effective planning and executing counter human trafficking strategies in a rapidly changing and increasing complex interconnected world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Countertrade as a development tool: a comparative analytical approach
- Authors: Van Dyk, Johannes Jacobus
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Countertrade , Countertrade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5054 , vital:20795
- Description: This study explores the consequences of defence countertrade arrangements for national development based on the South African experience in comparative perspective. Although defence countertrade has been controversial in many contexts, it is concluded that it may play a positive developmental role. This is premised on the central role governments can play in ensuring that countertrade's role in national economic development – global pressures and neo-liberalism notwithstanding – remains an important tool through which active industrial policy may be pursued. This can include developing and maintaining a defence industrial base (DIB) in those countries that have such capabilities. Countertrade occurs under two kinds of market conditions. The one is where there is a natural need for trading but it is constrained in some way, for example, by an absence of currency or an oversupply. Under these conditions countries can resort to bartering, which involves a commodity for commodity exchange and no money. The second market condition is one where countertrade is purposefully structured to secure reciprocal benefits as a condition of a commercial sales transaction - defence or civil in nature. This is referred to as leveraged procurement and manifests primarily as defence offsets involving the defence industrial base, which is the concern of this study. Around 40 per cent of countries, including South Africa, use various purposely structured government procurement programmes when procuring goods and services abroad. These programmes apply the principle of reciprocity through the use of internationally accepted countertrade practices that manifest in many diverse ways. Although „countertrade‘ is the collective term, it is regularly referred to as „offsets‘. Procurement leverage is used to secure some reciprocal benefit from the foreign seller (benefits sought vary from country to country). Countertrade-related practices occur widely despite the fact that the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA6) rules out the use of offsets. Their use is viewed as a discriminatory procurement practice that interferes with free trade. However, the WTO allows for exceptions in the case of developing countries and also for national security and public health contracts. It is important to note that countertrade (and offset) practices, valued in billions of US Dollars, are applicable mostly to defence contracts, although becoming increasingly relevant in non-defence (i.e. civil) government procurements. This research systematically interrogated and investigated issues surrounding the origins and subsequent popular and increased use of countertrade since the 1980s. The purported negative impact of defence-related offsets on the defence industrial base (i.e. the loss or gain of jobs, technology and market share) of both the exporting and receiving countries is of particular concern to the US government and the European Union (EU). My exploratory mixed method research, together with practitioner (insider) and reflexive research approaches, culminated in a primarily descriptive, qualitative, analytical narrative. The research is further founded on structured survey questionnaires. These specific research approaches are known to be subjective and biased and I thus needed to take extra care to prevent emotive subjectivities, primarily through triangulating my findings against a variety of other views and arguments pertaining to the research question. This was done to provide for a holistic overview, and in consideration of the case study, in particular. It must be noted that South Africa has two sets of industrial participation policies and practices. One is Defence Industrial Participation (DIP) managed exclusively by Armscor, South Africa's acquisition agency, which favours pursuing defence industry development objectives. The other is the National Industrial Participation Programme (NIPP), managed independently by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The NIPP is primarily focused on the civil industry with a bias towards manufacturing, investments and exports. The DIP is the focus of the case study element of this research. Since its inception in 1968, Armscor has been tasked with establishing a DIB. Until the late 1980s, this DIB made huge strides in developing unique defence equipment to cater for the harsh Southern African environment and its military operational conditions. The DIB's development was enhanced further by the various UN embargoes imposed on the former South African apartheid government. Owing to these embargoes, Armscor dealt with all its defence imports (and exports) in a clandestine manner. Armscor was the only government entity that applied countertrade from around 1988 until 1996 when the DTI introduced NIPP. During the latter part of 1996, Armscor redrafted its countertrade policy with the new DIP policy approved in early 1997. This policy was applied during the biggest arms transaction in South Africa‟s history, namely, the Strategic Defence Package (SDP). A DIP commitment of circa R15 billion resulted from the equipment bought under the SDP. This study investigated how the DIP manifested in practice from 2000 to 2012 within the DIB that involved numerous South African Defence Industry (SADI) entities. The study considered the DIB, its growth and decline, and to what extent the DIP assisted it to retain its capabilities and capacities, including the retention of jobs. Hence, parts of the case study cover issues related to the South African military complex and the SDP‟s selection process. Subsequent investigations into alleged acts of misconduct and maladministration in the selection process, fraud and corruption are also covered, although not in detail, since this matter is sub judice the outcome of the 2011 presidential appointed Arms Procurement Commission (APC) of inquiry that is anticipating completing its investigations in 2015. Although there are many derivative views on the actual defence equipment needs of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the study did not endeavour to analyse these views in depth as they are adequately covered in the 1996 Defence Review. Similarly, there are views expressed that South Africa paid much more for its equipment compared with similar types of equipment bought by other countries. A cost comparative analysis was not performed as the exact configuration of each type of equipment can differ substantially due to the unique operational needs of the various defence forces – the exact configuration of such equipment is not in the public domain, since it is a sovereign security concern. Despite many opposing views, it is concluded that DIP (also referred to as defence offsets) has worked for South Africa: in many ways the South African DIP practice compares favourably with internationally accepted best practices. The research‟s postulation that countertrade can be used as a possible development mechanism is therefore supported by the findings of this study that showed that DIP had a positive retention impact on the DIB, and jobs, and made a positive contribution to Gross National Product (GNP7). The study found that the 1997 DIP policy needed to be much better aligned with the broader strategic national industrial development aims and objectives, including better corroboration with the NIPP. In this respect critical inferences are made that the DIP policy primarily focused on the SADI and its capabilities, without considering its wider application in a broader industrial sense. However, in the context of the Armscor legal mandate (i.t.o. Act 57 of 1968) ensuring the establishment of a DIB in South Africa, the DIP policy was clear in its intent to specifically further the interests of only the SADI. However, the 2014 Defence Review recommends that the DIP policy should be much more focused and even prescriptive when considering specific strategic defence needs. Although DIP policy directives contain requirements for establishing strategic local capabilities and capacities that could adequately cater for logistic support, repair and maintenance of foreign produced defence equipment, this aspect was not well contracted in the 1999 SDP. There is also general consensus that foreign obligors should in future not be allowed the freedoms of choice evident in the SDP‟s DIP process, which resulted in numerous smaller companies not benefitting as was generally anticipated. Future defence contracts should not be signed without an appropriate DIP business plan. Hence, all indications are that the DIP regime in South Africa is set to become much more stringent in its application and subsequent discharge administration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Van Dyk, Johannes Jacobus
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Countertrade , Countertrade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5054 , vital:20795
- Description: This study explores the consequences of defence countertrade arrangements for national development based on the South African experience in comparative perspective. Although defence countertrade has been controversial in many contexts, it is concluded that it may play a positive developmental role. This is premised on the central role governments can play in ensuring that countertrade's role in national economic development – global pressures and neo-liberalism notwithstanding – remains an important tool through which active industrial policy may be pursued. This can include developing and maintaining a defence industrial base (DIB) in those countries that have such capabilities. Countertrade occurs under two kinds of market conditions. The one is where there is a natural need for trading but it is constrained in some way, for example, by an absence of currency or an oversupply. Under these conditions countries can resort to bartering, which involves a commodity for commodity exchange and no money. The second market condition is one where countertrade is purposefully structured to secure reciprocal benefits as a condition of a commercial sales transaction - defence or civil in nature. This is referred to as leveraged procurement and manifests primarily as defence offsets involving the defence industrial base, which is the concern of this study. Around 40 per cent of countries, including South Africa, use various purposely structured government procurement programmes when procuring goods and services abroad. These programmes apply the principle of reciprocity through the use of internationally accepted countertrade practices that manifest in many diverse ways. Although „countertrade‘ is the collective term, it is regularly referred to as „offsets‘. Procurement leverage is used to secure some reciprocal benefit from the foreign seller (benefits sought vary from country to country). Countertrade-related practices occur widely despite the fact that the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA6) rules out the use of offsets. Their use is viewed as a discriminatory procurement practice that interferes with free trade. However, the WTO allows for exceptions in the case of developing countries and also for national security and public health contracts. It is important to note that countertrade (and offset) practices, valued in billions of US Dollars, are applicable mostly to defence contracts, although becoming increasingly relevant in non-defence (i.e. civil) government procurements. This research systematically interrogated and investigated issues surrounding the origins and subsequent popular and increased use of countertrade since the 1980s. The purported negative impact of defence-related offsets on the defence industrial base (i.e. the loss or gain of jobs, technology and market share) of both the exporting and receiving countries is of particular concern to the US government and the European Union (EU). My exploratory mixed method research, together with practitioner (insider) and reflexive research approaches, culminated in a primarily descriptive, qualitative, analytical narrative. The research is further founded on structured survey questionnaires. These specific research approaches are known to be subjective and biased and I thus needed to take extra care to prevent emotive subjectivities, primarily through triangulating my findings against a variety of other views and arguments pertaining to the research question. This was done to provide for a holistic overview, and in consideration of the case study, in particular. It must be noted that South Africa has two sets of industrial participation policies and practices. One is Defence Industrial Participation (DIP) managed exclusively by Armscor, South Africa's acquisition agency, which favours pursuing defence industry development objectives. The other is the National Industrial Participation Programme (NIPP), managed independently by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The NIPP is primarily focused on the civil industry with a bias towards manufacturing, investments and exports. The DIP is the focus of the case study element of this research. Since its inception in 1968, Armscor has been tasked with establishing a DIB. Until the late 1980s, this DIB made huge strides in developing unique defence equipment to cater for the harsh Southern African environment and its military operational conditions. The DIB's development was enhanced further by the various UN embargoes imposed on the former South African apartheid government. Owing to these embargoes, Armscor dealt with all its defence imports (and exports) in a clandestine manner. Armscor was the only government entity that applied countertrade from around 1988 until 1996 when the DTI introduced NIPP. During the latter part of 1996, Armscor redrafted its countertrade policy with the new DIP policy approved in early 1997. This policy was applied during the biggest arms transaction in South Africa‟s history, namely, the Strategic Defence Package (SDP). A DIP commitment of circa R15 billion resulted from the equipment bought under the SDP. This study investigated how the DIP manifested in practice from 2000 to 2012 within the DIB that involved numerous South African Defence Industry (SADI) entities. The study considered the DIB, its growth and decline, and to what extent the DIP assisted it to retain its capabilities and capacities, including the retention of jobs. Hence, parts of the case study cover issues related to the South African military complex and the SDP‟s selection process. Subsequent investigations into alleged acts of misconduct and maladministration in the selection process, fraud and corruption are also covered, although not in detail, since this matter is sub judice the outcome of the 2011 presidential appointed Arms Procurement Commission (APC) of inquiry that is anticipating completing its investigations in 2015. Although there are many derivative views on the actual defence equipment needs of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the study did not endeavour to analyse these views in depth as they are adequately covered in the 1996 Defence Review. Similarly, there are views expressed that South Africa paid much more for its equipment compared with similar types of equipment bought by other countries. A cost comparative analysis was not performed as the exact configuration of each type of equipment can differ substantially due to the unique operational needs of the various defence forces – the exact configuration of such equipment is not in the public domain, since it is a sovereign security concern. Despite many opposing views, it is concluded that DIP (also referred to as defence offsets) has worked for South Africa: in many ways the South African DIP practice compares favourably with internationally accepted best practices. The research‟s postulation that countertrade can be used as a possible development mechanism is therefore supported by the findings of this study that showed that DIP had a positive retention impact on the DIB, and jobs, and made a positive contribution to Gross National Product (GNP7). The study found that the 1997 DIP policy needed to be much better aligned with the broader strategic national industrial development aims and objectives, including better corroboration with the NIPP. In this respect critical inferences are made that the DIP policy primarily focused on the SADI and its capabilities, without considering its wider application in a broader industrial sense. However, in the context of the Armscor legal mandate (i.t.o. Act 57 of 1968) ensuring the establishment of a DIB in South Africa, the DIP policy was clear in its intent to specifically further the interests of only the SADI. However, the 2014 Defence Review recommends that the DIP policy should be much more focused and even prescriptive when considering specific strategic defence needs. Although DIP policy directives contain requirements for establishing strategic local capabilities and capacities that could adequately cater for logistic support, repair and maintenance of foreign produced defence equipment, this aspect was not well contracted in the 1999 SDP. There is also general consensus that foreign obligors should in future not be allowed the freedoms of choice evident in the SDP‟s DIP process, which resulted in numerous smaller companies not benefitting as was generally anticipated. Future defence contracts should not be signed without an appropriate DIP business plan. Hence, all indications are that the DIP regime in South Africa is set to become much more stringent in its application and subsequent discharge administration.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A critical assessment of responsible tourism practices: a case study of Stormsriver adventures
- Authors: Van Zyl, Shireen Rosemary
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainable tourism , Tourism -- Management , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4954 , vital:20770
- Description: The research problem was based on the private sector implementation of Responsible Tourism, since 1996, perceived to be slow and challenging (Frey & George, 2010: 107). The South Africa Government proposed Responsible Tourism as the guiding principle for sustainable tourism development (Goodwin, 2011: 138). The problem is compounded by shortcomings identified in the nature of the research conducted about tourism and communities and the methodologies used. Tourism-Community relationships Theory was applied as the conceptual framework of the study. This theory advocates a holistic approach when conducting research about the impacts of tourism, encompassing community perspectives, attitudes, reactions and considerations for the future development and control of tourism (Pearce, Moscardo & Ross, 1996: 2). The insights gained contributed an emic understanding of the keyinformants’ perspectives imparted in their own language. This study is located in the Interpretevist paradigm, underpinned by Constructivist philosophy. Meaning is created through the reality of key-informants, their perspectives and the interaction of individuals in a community (Cresswell, 2014: 8). The Instrumental Case Study Approach (Stake, 1995) contributed an etic perspective in terms of the researcher’s interpretations. The single, qualitative case was applied to gain deeper insights about the phenomenon of Responsible tourism. The case investigated was Stormsriver Adventures (SRA), an eco-adventure tourism business in the Tsitsikamma tourism destination in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. SRA is reputed to be business best practice in its implementation of Responsible Tourism. Data triangulation was established through multiple methods of data collection, namely in-depth interviews with key-informants, documentation sourced from them and researcher observation. Data analysis methods, namely direct interpretation, categorical aggregation, pattern seeking and naturalistic generalisations (Stake, 1995), were used. The member checking process assisted with establishing data triangulation as keyinformants corroborated or dispelled the researcher’s interpretation of data. Findings were structured according to within-case themes, namely SRA’s perspective of its Responsible Tourism practices, the community’s perspective of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices and perspectives about the future development and control of tourism. The study contributes new theoretical insights through applying the inductive approach to selected findings. Findings indicate that the perspectives of the community are divided. SRA keyinformants conveyed positive economic, social and environmental impacts of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices. Key-informants not directly linked to SRA raised negative economic impacts and questioned the accuracy of SRA’s marketing messages. Within-case conclusions are that it is not the responsibility of one tourism business that practices Responsible Tourism to achieve sustainability within the tourism destination. To this end it is recommended that SRA and the community find common ground and that the misunderstandings that exist, be addressed. The study concludes that in order to achieve successful Responsible Tourism- Community Relationships, a holistically and integrated approach is required. To this end the recommendations made provide an implementation framework within the context of a tourism destination. The study adds value to the field knowledge about the implementation of Responsible Tourism by the private sector in South Africa and also contributes new knowledge to the field of tourism in terms of the particular methodology used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Van Zyl, Shireen Rosemary
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Sustainable tourism , Tourism -- Management , Economic development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4954 , vital:20770
- Description: The research problem was based on the private sector implementation of Responsible Tourism, since 1996, perceived to be slow and challenging (Frey & George, 2010: 107). The South Africa Government proposed Responsible Tourism as the guiding principle for sustainable tourism development (Goodwin, 2011: 138). The problem is compounded by shortcomings identified in the nature of the research conducted about tourism and communities and the methodologies used. Tourism-Community relationships Theory was applied as the conceptual framework of the study. This theory advocates a holistic approach when conducting research about the impacts of tourism, encompassing community perspectives, attitudes, reactions and considerations for the future development and control of tourism (Pearce, Moscardo & Ross, 1996: 2). The insights gained contributed an emic understanding of the keyinformants’ perspectives imparted in their own language. This study is located in the Interpretevist paradigm, underpinned by Constructivist philosophy. Meaning is created through the reality of key-informants, their perspectives and the interaction of individuals in a community (Cresswell, 2014: 8). The Instrumental Case Study Approach (Stake, 1995) contributed an etic perspective in terms of the researcher’s interpretations. The single, qualitative case was applied to gain deeper insights about the phenomenon of Responsible tourism. The case investigated was Stormsriver Adventures (SRA), an eco-adventure tourism business in the Tsitsikamma tourism destination in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. SRA is reputed to be business best practice in its implementation of Responsible Tourism. Data triangulation was established through multiple methods of data collection, namely in-depth interviews with key-informants, documentation sourced from them and researcher observation. Data analysis methods, namely direct interpretation, categorical aggregation, pattern seeking and naturalistic generalisations (Stake, 1995), were used. The member checking process assisted with establishing data triangulation as keyinformants corroborated or dispelled the researcher’s interpretation of data. Findings were structured according to within-case themes, namely SRA’s perspective of its Responsible Tourism practices, the community’s perspective of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices and perspectives about the future development and control of tourism. The study contributes new theoretical insights through applying the inductive approach to selected findings. Findings indicate that the perspectives of the community are divided. SRA keyinformants conveyed positive economic, social and environmental impacts of SRA’s Responsible Tourism practices. Key-informants not directly linked to SRA raised negative economic impacts and questioned the accuracy of SRA’s marketing messages. Within-case conclusions are that it is not the responsibility of one tourism business that practices Responsible Tourism to achieve sustainability within the tourism destination. To this end it is recommended that SRA and the community find common ground and that the misunderstandings that exist, be addressed. The study concludes that in order to achieve successful Responsible Tourism- Community Relationships, a holistically and integrated approach is required. To this end the recommendations made provide an implementation framework within the context of a tourism destination. The study adds value to the field knowledge about the implementation of Responsible Tourism by the private sector in South Africa and also contributes new knowledge to the field of tourism in terms of the particular methodology used.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The effects of outsourcing practices conducted by organisations in Nairobi
- Authors: Wachira, Wanjungu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Contracting out , Industrial management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4988 , vital:20775
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between outsourcing and development in Nairobi. The key research question for this study is what are the impacts of outsourcing practices conducted by organisations in Nairobi? Data were obtained from questionnaires distributed in December 2010. A total of 85 profit-making firms in Nairobi with a sample of 165 management employees were selected for this study. The empirical findings obtained relate to four outsourcing theories. Transaction Cost Analysis (TCA) Theory focuses on the cost savings that result from outsourcing. Agency Outsourcing Theory centres on outsourcing firms hiring agents to achieve productivity. Hiring agents may result in permanent staff being retrenched and additional outsourcing personnel being contracted and job creation and/or job loss results. Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT) emphasises the importance of an outsourcing provider conforming to quality management principles. Resource Based Theory (RBT) proposes that organisations need a collection of resources and capabilities to execute outsourcing successfully. Findings further suggested that outsourcing can yield positive and/or negative outcomes depending on risks encountered, the business environment, company policies, function/s to be outsourced, and the competence and commitment of an outsourcing vendor. To further enhance the positive impact of outsourcing three improvements need to be executed: formulation of standard policies, price regulations, and commitment of outsourcing firms in adhering to set contract deadlines. It is suggested that the following would allow organisations to gain more from outsourcing in the future: the adoption of international/offshore outsourcing practices, more commitment by outsourcing consultants, the standardisation of charges for outsourcing contracts, and the use of new technology that would improve how outsourcing is conducted. It is concluded that the positive impacts of outsourcing would foster development to some extent while the possible negative impact of outsourcing would impede development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Wachira, Wanjungu
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Contracting out , Industrial management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4988 , vital:20775
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between outsourcing and development in Nairobi. The key research question for this study is what are the impacts of outsourcing practices conducted by organisations in Nairobi? Data were obtained from questionnaires distributed in December 2010. A total of 85 profit-making firms in Nairobi with a sample of 165 management employees were selected for this study. The empirical findings obtained relate to four outsourcing theories. Transaction Cost Analysis (TCA) Theory focuses on the cost savings that result from outsourcing. Agency Outsourcing Theory centres on outsourcing firms hiring agents to achieve productivity. Hiring agents may result in permanent staff being retrenched and additional outsourcing personnel being contracted and job creation and/or job loss results. Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT) emphasises the importance of an outsourcing provider conforming to quality management principles. Resource Based Theory (RBT) proposes that organisations need a collection of resources and capabilities to execute outsourcing successfully. Findings further suggested that outsourcing can yield positive and/or negative outcomes depending on risks encountered, the business environment, company policies, function/s to be outsourced, and the competence and commitment of an outsourcing vendor. To further enhance the positive impact of outsourcing three improvements need to be executed: formulation of standard policies, price regulations, and commitment of outsourcing firms in adhering to set contract deadlines. It is suggested that the following would allow organisations to gain more from outsourcing in the future: the adoption of international/offshore outsourcing practices, more commitment by outsourcing consultants, the standardisation of charges for outsourcing contracts, and the use of new technology that would improve how outsourcing is conducted. It is concluded that the positive impacts of outsourcing would foster development to some extent while the possible negative impact of outsourcing would impede development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The impact of domain knowledge-driven variable derivation on classifier performance for corporate data mining
- Authors: Welcker, Laura Joana Maria
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Data mining , Business -- Data processing , Database management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5009 , vital:20778
- Description: The technological progress in terms of increasing computational power and growing virtual space to collect data offers great potential for businesses to benefit from data mining applications. Data mining can create a competitive advantage for corporations by discovering business relevant information, such as patterns, relationships, and rules. The role of the human user within the data mining process is crucial, which is why the research area of domain knowledge becomes increasingly important. This thesis investigates the impact of domain knowledge-driven variable derivation on classifier performance for corporate data mining. Domain knowledge is defined as methodological, data and business know-how. The thesis investigates the topic from a new perspective by shifting the focus from a one-sided approach, namely a purely analytic or purely theoretical approach towards a target group-oriented (researcher and practitioner) approach which puts the methodological aspect by means of a scientific guideline in the centre of the research. In order to ensure feasibility and practical relevance of the guideline, it is adapted and applied to the requirements of a practical business case. Thus, the thesis examines the topic from both perspectives, a theoretical and practical perspective. Therewith, it overcomes the limitation of a one-sided approach which mostly lacks practical relevance or generalisability of the results. The primary objective of this thesis is to provide a scientific guideline which should enable both practitioners and researchers to move forward the domain knowledge-driven research for variable derivation on a corporate basis. In the theoretical part, a broad overview of the main aspects which are necessary to undertake the research are given, such as the concept of domain knowledge, the data mining task of classification, variable derivation as a subtask of data preparation, and evaluation techniques. This part of the thesis refers to the methodological aspect of domain knowledge. In the practical part, a research design is developed for testing six hypotheses related to domain knowledge-driven variable derivation. The major contribution of the empirical study is concerned with testing the impact of domain knowledge on a real business data set compared to the impact of a standard and randomly derived data set. The business application of the research is a binary classification problem in the domain of an insurance business, which deals with the prediction of damages in legal expenses insurances. Domain knowledge is expressed through deriving the corporate variables by means of the business and data-driven constructive induction strategy. Six variable derivation steps are investigated: normalisation, instance relation, discretisation, categorical encoding, ratio, and multivariate mathematical function. The impact of the domain knowledge is examined by pairwise (with and without derived variables) performance comparisons for five classification techniques (decision trees, naive Bayes, logistic regression, artificial neural networks, k-nearest neighbours). The impact is measured by two classifier performance criteria: sensitivity and area under the ROC-curve (AUC). The McNemar significance test is used to verify the results. Based on the results, two hypotheses are clearly verified and accepted, three hypotheses are partly verified, and one hypothesis had to be rejected on the basis of the case study results. The thesis reveals a significant positive impact of domain knowledge-driven variable derivation on classifier performance for options of all six tested steps. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the classification technique influences the impact of the variable derivation steps, and the bundling of steps has a significant higher performance impact if the variables are derived by using domain knowledge (compared to a non-knowledge application). Finally, the research turns out that an empirical examination of the domain knowledge impact is very complex due to a high level of interaction between the selected research parameters (variable derivation step, classification technique, and performance criteria).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Welcker, Laura Joana Maria
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Data mining , Business -- Data processing , Database management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/5009 , vital:20778
- Description: The technological progress in terms of increasing computational power and growing virtual space to collect data offers great potential for businesses to benefit from data mining applications. Data mining can create a competitive advantage for corporations by discovering business relevant information, such as patterns, relationships, and rules. The role of the human user within the data mining process is crucial, which is why the research area of domain knowledge becomes increasingly important. This thesis investigates the impact of domain knowledge-driven variable derivation on classifier performance for corporate data mining. Domain knowledge is defined as methodological, data and business know-how. The thesis investigates the topic from a new perspective by shifting the focus from a one-sided approach, namely a purely analytic or purely theoretical approach towards a target group-oriented (researcher and practitioner) approach which puts the methodological aspect by means of a scientific guideline in the centre of the research. In order to ensure feasibility and practical relevance of the guideline, it is adapted and applied to the requirements of a practical business case. Thus, the thesis examines the topic from both perspectives, a theoretical and practical perspective. Therewith, it overcomes the limitation of a one-sided approach which mostly lacks practical relevance or generalisability of the results. The primary objective of this thesis is to provide a scientific guideline which should enable both practitioners and researchers to move forward the domain knowledge-driven research for variable derivation on a corporate basis. In the theoretical part, a broad overview of the main aspects which are necessary to undertake the research are given, such as the concept of domain knowledge, the data mining task of classification, variable derivation as a subtask of data preparation, and evaluation techniques. This part of the thesis refers to the methodological aspect of domain knowledge. In the practical part, a research design is developed for testing six hypotheses related to domain knowledge-driven variable derivation. The major contribution of the empirical study is concerned with testing the impact of domain knowledge on a real business data set compared to the impact of a standard and randomly derived data set. The business application of the research is a binary classification problem in the domain of an insurance business, which deals with the prediction of damages in legal expenses insurances. Domain knowledge is expressed through deriving the corporate variables by means of the business and data-driven constructive induction strategy. Six variable derivation steps are investigated: normalisation, instance relation, discretisation, categorical encoding, ratio, and multivariate mathematical function. The impact of the domain knowledge is examined by pairwise (with and without derived variables) performance comparisons for five classification techniques (decision trees, naive Bayes, logistic regression, artificial neural networks, k-nearest neighbours). The impact is measured by two classifier performance criteria: sensitivity and area under the ROC-curve (AUC). The McNemar significance test is used to verify the results. Based on the results, two hypotheses are clearly verified and accepted, three hypotheses are partly verified, and one hypothesis had to be rejected on the basis of the case study results. The thesis reveals a significant positive impact of domain knowledge-driven variable derivation on classifier performance for options of all six tested steps. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the classification technique influences the impact of the variable derivation steps, and the bundling of steps has a significant higher performance impact if the variables are derived by using domain knowledge (compared to a non-knowledge application). Finally, the research turns out that an empirical examination of the domain knowledge impact is very complex due to a high level of interaction between the selected research parameters (variable derivation step, classification technique, and performance criteria).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015