Using data analysis and Information visualization techniques to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets
- Authors: Nyumbeka, Dumisani Joshua
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Information visualization Finance -- Mathematical models , Database management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12983 , vital:27141
- Description: There have been a number of technological advances in the last ten years, which has resulted in the amount of data generated in organisations increasing by more than 200% during this period. This rapid increase in data means that if financial institutions are to derive significant value from this data, they need to identify new ways to analyse this data effectively. Due to the considerable size of the data, financial institutions also need to consider how to effectively visualise the data. Traditional tools such as relational database management systems have problems processing large amounts of data due to memory constraints, latency issues and the presence of both structured and unstructured data The aim of this research was to use data analysis and information visualisation techniques (IV) to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets. In order to visually analyse the data effectively, the underlying data model must produce results that are reliable. A large financial data set was identified, and used to demonstrate that IV techniques can be used to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets. A review of the literature on large financial data sets, visual analytics, existing data management and data visualisation tools identified the shortcomings of existing tools. This resulted in the determination of the requirements for the data management tool, and the IV tool. The data management tool identified was a data warehouse and the IV toolkit identified was Tableau. The IV techniques identified included the Overview, Dashboards and Colour Blending. The IV tool was implemented and published online and can be accessed through a web browser interface. The data warehouse and the IV tool were evaluated to determine their accuracy and effectiveness in supporting the effective analysis of the large financial data set. The experiment used to evaluate the data warehouse yielded positive results, showing that only about 4% of the records had incorrect data. The results of the user study were positive and no major usability issues were identified. The participants found the IV techniques effective for analysing the large financial data set.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Nyumbeka, Dumisani Joshua
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Information visualization Finance -- Mathematical models , Database management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12983 , vital:27141
- Description: There have been a number of technological advances in the last ten years, which has resulted in the amount of data generated in organisations increasing by more than 200% during this period. This rapid increase in data means that if financial institutions are to derive significant value from this data, they need to identify new ways to analyse this data effectively. Due to the considerable size of the data, financial institutions also need to consider how to effectively visualise the data. Traditional tools such as relational database management systems have problems processing large amounts of data due to memory constraints, latency issues and the presence of both structured and unstructured data The aim of this research was to use data analysis and information visualisation techniques (IV) to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets. In order to visually analyse the data effectively, the underlying data model must produce results that are reliable. A large financial data set was identified, and used to demonstrate that IV techniques can be used to support the effective analysis of large financial data sets. A review of the literature on large financial data sets, visual analytics, existing data management and data visualisation tools identified the shortcomings of existing tools. This resulted in the determination of the requirements for the data management tool, and the IV tool. The data management tool identified was a data warehouse and the IV toolkit identified was Tableau. The IV techniques identified included the Overview, Dashboards and Colour Blending. The IV tool was implemented and published online and can be accessed through a web browser interface. The data warehouse and the IV tool were evaluated to determine their accuracy and effectiveness in supporting the effective analysis of the large financial data set. The experiment used to evaluate the data warehouse yielded positive results, showing that only about 4% of the records had incorrect data. The results of the user study were positive and no major usability issues were identified. The participants found the IV techniques effective for analysing the large financial data set.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Using data mining techniques for the prediction of student dropouts from university science programs
- Authors: Vambe, William Tichaona
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Data mining Dropout behavior, Prediction of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12314 , vital:39252
- Description: Data Mining has taken a center stage in education for addressing student dropout challenges as it has become one of the major threat affecting Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs). Being able to predict students who are likely to dropout helps the university to assist those facing challenges early. This will results in producing more graduates with the intellectual capital who will provide skills in the industries, hence addressing the major challenge of skill shortage being faced in South Africa. Studies and researches as purported in literature have been done to address this major threat of dropout challenge by using the theoretical approach which banked on Tinto’s model, followed by the traditional and statistical approach. However, the two lacked accuracy and the automation aspect which makes them difficult and time-consuming to use as they require to be tested periodically for them to be validated. Recently data mining has become a vital tool for predicting non-linear phenomenon including where there is missing data and bringing about accuracy and automation aspect. Data mining usefulness and reliability assessment in education made it possible to be used for prediction by different researchers. As such this research used data mining approach that integrates classification and prediction techniques to analyze student academic data at the University of Fort Hare to create a model for student dropout using preentry data and university academic performance of each student. Following Knowledge Discovery from Database (KDD) framework, data for the students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science programs between 2003 and 2014 was selected. It went through preprocessing and transformation as to deal with the missing data and noise data. Classification algorithms were then used for student characterization. Decision trees (J48) which are found in Weka software were used to build the model for data mining and prediction. The reason for choosing decision trees was it’s ability to deal with textual, nominal and numeric data as was the case with our input data and because they have good precision.The model was then trained using a train data set, validated and evaluated with another data set. Experimental results demonstrations that data mining is useful in predicting students who have chances to drop out. A critical analysis of correctly classifying instances, the confusion matrix and ROC area shows that the model can correctly classify and predict those who are likely to dropout. The model accuracy was 66percent which is a good percentage as supported in literature which means the results produced can be reliably used for assessment and make strategic decisions. Furthermore, the model took a matter of seconds to compute the results when supplied with 400 instances which prove that it is effective and efficient. Grounding our conclusion from these experimental results, this research proved that Data Mining is useful for bringing about automation, accuracy in prediction of student dropouts and the results can be reliably depended on for decision making by faculty managers who are the decision makers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Using data mining techniques for the prediction of student dropouts from university science programs
- Authors: Vambe, William Tichaona
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Data mining Dropout behavior, Prediction of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12314 , vital:39252
- Description: Data Mining has taken a center stage in education for addressing student dropout challenges as it has become one of the major threat affecting Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs). Being able to predict students who are likely to dropout helps the university to assist those facing challenges early. This will results in producing more graduates with the intellectual capital who will provide skills in the industries, hence addressing the major challenge of skill shortage being faced in South Africa. Studies and researches as purported in literature have been done to address this major threat of dropout challenge by using the theoretical approach which banked on Tinto’s model, followed by the traditional and statistical approach. However, the two lacked accuracy and the automation aspect which makes them difficult and time-consuming to use as they require to be tested periodically for them to be validated. Recently data mining has become a vital tool for predicting non-linear phenomenon including where there is missing data and bringing about accuracy and automation aspect. Data mining usefulness and reliability assessment in education made it possible to be used for prediction by different researchers. As such this research used data mining approach that integrates classification and prediction techniques to analyze student academic data at the University of Fort Hare to create a model for student dropout using preentry data and university academic performance of each student. Following Knowledge Discovery from Database (KDD) framework, data for the students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science programs between 2003 and 2014 was selected. It went through preprocessing and transformation as to deal with the missing data and noise data. Classification algorithms were then used for student characterization. Decision trees (J48) which are found in Weka software were used to build the model for data mining and prediction. The reason for choosing decision trees was it’s ability to deal with textual, nominal and numeric data as was the case with our input data and because they have good precision.The model was then trained using a train data set, validated and evaluated with another data set. Experimental results demonstrations that data mining is useful in predicting students who have chances to drop out. A critical analysis of correctly classifying instances, the confusion matrix and ROC area shows that the model can correctly classify and predict those who are likely to dropout. The model accuracy was 66percent which is a good percentage as supported in literature which means the results produced can be reliably used for assessment and make strategic decisions. Furthermore, the model took a matter of seconds to compute the results when supplied with 400 instances which prove that it is effective and efficient. Grounding our conclusion from these experimental results, this research proved that Data Mining is useful for bringing about automation, accuracy in prediction of student dropouts and the results can be reliably depended on for decision making by faculty managers who are the decision makers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Utilisation of university health care services by employees of the University of Fort Hare
- Authors: Fritsche, Ntombikayise
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion Health services administration Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5950 , vital:29449
- Description: Background: University of Fort Hare (UFH) provides health care services to its students and staff; however, whether the health care services are being utilised by the staff is only speculative. Hence, the aim of the study was to determine the level of employees’ awareness regarding availability of University Health Care Services (UHS) and factors responsible for their utilization. wildlife and thereby may constitute a serious risk to public health. Therefore, it is recommended that proper regulation of the use of the compounds and their safe disposal be ensured to protect aquatic resources and the well-being of humans. Methodology: This quantitative descriptive study involved conveniently selected 255 UFH employees who were either permanently employed or on contract employment for two years and above. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire solicited information on demographics variables, awareness of employees regarding the existence of university health services, and factors affecting utilization of university health services (UHS) by employees. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (logistic regression analysis). Results: -Two hundred and thirty three (91 percent) of sampled UFH employees in both campuses are aware of the UHS. The longer the duration of employment and the older the employee (above 50 years old) the more likely the employees are aware of UHS. However, the elderly employees displayed poor utilization of health care services. Accessibility of UHS (96 percent), satisfaction with UHS (95 percent), listening to others (word of mouth) (61.2 percent) and having a health concern (51 percent) encourage UHS utilization whereas being unaware (8.6 percent) of the UHS remains the barrier for utilisation. Having medical aid (81 percent) prevent those who are aware of UHS from utilising the university health care services. Operating hours (30 percent), staff attitudes (50 percent) and long waiting time (70 percent) with lack of essential medicines (38 percent) prohibit employees from revisiting. Conclusion: The University of Fort Hare’s health care services are well known by almost every employee through “word of the mouth” though they are not completely aware as to which health service programmes are being offered. The utilization of University of Fort Hare’s health care services is positively and adversely influenced by different factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Fritsche, Ntombikayise
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion Health services administration Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5950 , vital:29449
- Description: Background: University of Fort Hare (UFH) provides health care services to its students and staff; however, whether the health care services are being utilised by the staff is only speculative. Hence, the aim of the study was to determine the level of employees’ awareness regarding availability of University Health Care Services (UHS) and factors responsible for their utilization. wildlife and thereby may constitute a serious risk to public health. Therefore, it is recommended that proper regulation of the use of the compounds and their safe disposal be ensured to protect aquatic resources and the well-being of humans. Methodology: This quantitative descriptive study involved conveniently selected 255 UFH employees who were either permanently employed or on contract employment for two years and above. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire solicited information on demographics variables, awareness of employees regarding the existence of university health services, and factors affecting utilization of university health services (UHS) by employees. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (logistic regression analysis). Results: -Two hundred and thirty three (91 percent) of sampled UFH employees in both campuses are aware of the UHS. The longer the duration of employment and the older the employee (above 50 years old) the more likely the employees are aware of UHS. However, the elderly employees displayed poor utilization of health care services. Accessibility of UHS (96 percent), satisfaction with UHS (95 percent), listening to others (word of mouth) (61.2 percent) and having a health concern (51 percent) encourage UHS utilization whereas being unaware (8.6 percent) of the UHS remains the barrier for utilisation. Having medical aid (81 percent) prevent those who are aware of UHS from utilising the university health care services. Operating hours (30 percent), staff attitudes (50 percent) and long waiting time (70 percent) with lack of essential medicines (38 percent) prohibit employees from revisiting. Conclusion: The University of Fort Hare’s health care services are well known by almost every employee through “word of the mouth” though they are not completely aware as to which health service programmes are being offered. The utilization of University of Fort Hare’s health care services is positively and adversely influenced by different factors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Variables affecting family employee remuneration in South African family businesses
- Authors: Pitsiladi, Lesvokli N
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa , Human capital -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3449 , vital:20431
- Description: The purpose of this multi-case study research was to determine variables that affect The Perceived Success of Fair Family Employee Compensation in South African family businesses. Five propositions: Human Capital, Outside Advice, Succession Planning, Fairness and Family Harmony were tested and as a result, Human Capital, Fairness and Family Harmony were deduced to have a positive influence, while Outside Advice and Succession Planning had a non-significant influence. The present research effort begun with an in-depth literature review on family business and the variables: Human Capital, Outside Advice, Succession Planning, Fairness, Family Harmony and Fair Family Employee Compensation, followed by a qualitative explanatory multi-case study research design using embedded units of analysis and provided a valuable insight into compensation issues regarding family businesses in South Africa. Replication logic was used to generalise the results and it was recommended that the preliminary theory regarding Outside Advice and Succession Planning be revised and tested with another set of cases, while the results indicated that Human Capital, Fairness and Family Harmony could be generalised to the broader theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Pitsiladi, Lesvokli N
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa , Human capital -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3449 , vital:20431
- Description: The purpose of this multi-case study research was to determine variables that affect The Perceived Success of Fair Family Employee Compensation in South African family businesses. Five propositions: Human Capital, Outside Advice, Succession Planning, Fairness and Family Harmony were tested and as a result, Human Capital, Fairness and Family Harmony were deduced to have a positive influence, while Outside Advice and Succession Planning had a non-significant influence. The present research effort begun with an in-depth literature review on family business and the variables: Human Capital, Outside Advice, Succession Planning, Fairness, Family Harmony and Fair Family Employee Compensation, followed by a qualitative explanatory multi-case study research design using embedded units of analysis and provided a valuable insight into compensation issues regarding family businesses in South Africa. Replication logic was used to generalise the results and it was recommended that the preliminary theory regarding Outside Advice and Succession Planning be revised and tested with another set of cases, while the results indicated that Human Capital, Fairness and Family Harmony could be generalised to the broader theory.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Views from the inside: An appraisal of the effectiveness of international NGOs as agents of development through a case study of Concern Universal’s Local Development Support Programme in Dedza District, Malawi
- Authors: Mussa, Khadija Sungeni
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1499 , vital:20063
- Description: Malawi, which became independent in 1964, attracted Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from the early 1980s. Initially, NGO involvement was a response to the influx of refugees from neighbouring war-torn Mozambique. Since then, NGOs have been active in the development sector. Malawi, a small country, has widespread poverty, and has recently been in international headlines as a victim of floods, drought and food shortages. Economically unstable, with environmental problems, Malawi is in need of development assistance. NGOs have been centrally positioned in such efforts, but the academic literature on their role has been limited. NGO interventions in development efforts, generally, have been subject to controversy. While some argue that NGOs provide an essential means of development, especially where state capacity is limited, others argue that, with most NGOs headquartered or funded from abroad, their strategies and practices are often more accountable to external pressures than local needs. This thesis intervenes in these debates with a case study: with the aim of examining the sustainability, appropriateness, accountability and effectiveness of NGO projects, it looks at a project by the international NGO (INGO), Concern Universal (CU), which works in the central region in Dedza, Malawi. It examines the project, using fieldwork in three villages, looking at issues such as its use of participatory methods, relations with local government and village structures, capacity building methods, and donor relations. The thesis argues that (I)NGOs like CU exist in a conflicted situation: they have to remain in the good books of their donors, while, at the same time, maintaining accountability to their beneficiaries; they depend on their ability to manoeuvre through the conflict in order to ensure their continuity, and so, their impact is shaped by competing imperatives. CU has made a real impact on poverty alleviation efforts, but its methods and approaches are shaped by said competing imperatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mussa, Khadija Sungeni
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/1499 , vital:20063
- Description: Malawi, which became independent in 1964, attracted Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from the early 1980s. Initially, NGO involvement was a response to the influx of refugees from neighbouring war-torn Mozambique. Since then, NGOs have been active in the development sector. Malawi, a small country, has widespread poverty, and has recently been in international headlines as a victim of floods, drought and food shortages. Economically unstable, with environmental problems, Malawi is in need of development assistance. NGOs have been centrally positioned in such efforts, but the academic literature on their role has been limited. NGO interventions in development efforts, generally, have been subject to controversy. While some argue that NGOs provide an essential means of development, especially where state capacity is limited, others argue that, with most NGOs headquartered or funded from abroad, their strategies and practices are often more accountable to external pressures than local needs. This thesis intervenes in these debates with a case study: with the aim of examining the sustainability, appropriateness, accountability and effectiveness of NGO projects, it looks at a project by the international NGO (INGO), Concern Universal (CU), which works in the central region in Dedza, Malawi. It examines the project, using fieldwork in three villages, looking at issues such as its use of participatory methods, relations with local government and village structures, capacity building methods, and donor relations. The thesis argues that (I)NGOs like CU exist in a conflicted situation: they have to remain in the good books of their donors, while, at the same time, maintaining accountability to their beneficiaries; they depend on their ability to manoeuvre through the conflict in order to ensure their continuity, and so, their impact is shaped by competing imperatives. CU has made a real impact on poverty alleviation efforts, but its methods and approaches are shaped by said competing imperatives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Views of grade nine learners regarding the marketing of nursing as a career to attract school-leavers to the profession in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Stevens, Annette Kay, Williams, Maggie
- Authors: Stevens, Annette Kay , Williams, Maggie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Nursing -- Vocational guidance -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Nursing -- Practice -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Career development -- Nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12834 , vital:27125
- Description: Globally, the nursing profession is faced with a decline in school-leavers’ interest in nursing as a career. The decline in school leavers entering the nursing profession poses a threat to the future of nursing because, globally, the average age of nurses in many countries exceeds 40 years (International Council of Nurses, 2008). The role of marketing in attracting school leavers to careers of choice is well documented; however, there is a lack of documented marketing attempts by Nursing Education Institutions to market nursing as a career at secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The purpose of the study was to determine the views that grade nine learners have regarding the marketing of nursing as a career to attract school-leavers to the profession. The researcher also explored and described how grade nine learners are being informed or wish to be informed of nursing as a career. Based on the findings of the study, broad guidelines were developed for nurse educators at Nursing Education Institutions so as to facilitate the marketing of nursing as a career for school leavers. To achieve the purpose of this study, a quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study design was used. The study was conducted at selected senior secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The research population in this study comprised of all grade nine learners at secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. A simple random sampling method was used to select participants. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. The data collected were analysed with the help of the statistician, using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that grade nine learners in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality had a positive response to choosing nursing as a career and that schools situated in the lower socio-economic areas had the highest percentage of grade nine learners indicating an interest in nursing as a career. The study concludes with recommendations for nursing practice, education and research. Ethical principles have been maintained throughout the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Stevens, Annette Kay , Williams, Maggie
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Nursing -- Vocational guidance -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Nursing -- Practice -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Career development -- Nursing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12834 , vital:27125
- Description: Globally, the nursing profession is faced with a decline in school-leavers’ interest in nursing as a career. The decline in school leavers entering the nursing profession poses a threat to the future of nursing because, globally, the average age of nurses in many countries exceeds 40 years (International Council of Nurses, 2008). The role of marketing in attracting school leavers to careers of choice is well documented; however, there is a lack of documented marketing attempts by Nursing Education Institutions to market nursing as a career at secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The purpose of the study was to determine the views that grade nine learners have regarding the marketing of nursing as a career to attract school-leavers to the profession. The researcher also explored and described how grade nine learners are being informed or wish to be informed of nursing as a career. Based on the findings of the study, broad guidelines were developed for nurse educators at Nursing Education Institutions so as to facilitate the marketing of nursing as a career for school leavers. To achieve the purpose of this study, a quantitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study design was used. The study was conducted at selected senior secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The research population in this study comprised of all grade nine learners at secondary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. A simple random sampling method was used to select participants. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. The data collected were analysed with the help of the statistician, using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that grade nine learners in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality had a positive response to choosing nursing as a career and that schools situated in the lower socio-economic areas had the highest percentage of grade nine learners indicating an interest in nursing as a career. The study concludes with recommendations for nursing practice, education and research. Ethical principles have been maintained throughout the study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Vocational curriculum report 191(NATED) as a curriculum: a case study of three Eastern Cape TVET Colleges
- Authors: Sixabayi, Siyabonga Prince
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Vocational education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5126 , vital:29089
- Description: This study aimed to investigate if there are any possible gaps in the offering Vocational Curriculum Report 191, in terms of knowledge, skills and link to the world of work. This study was a case study of three Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges that offer Vocational Curriculum Report 191, and it was geographically limited to the province of the Eastern Cape. The five main findings from this study were that firstly, the curriculum offers theory without practice. Secondly, there is a mismatch between what is offered as curriculum at Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges and what the labour market wants. Thirdly, lecturers do not have the practical exposure that relates to their fields of study. Fourthly, Vocational Curriculum Report 191 does not promote self-employment of its students and lastly, the curriculum is outdated and does not comply with the criteria of current employment opportunities. The study recommends that the curriculum be reviewed and revised. Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges need to have in site practice facilities to cater for the practical application of theoretical knowledge of students. Partnerships between Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges, the labour market and Sector Education and Training Authorities are strongly recommended in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Sixabayi, Siyabonga Prince
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Vocational education -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Curriculum planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Degree
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/5126 , vital:29089
- Description: This study aimed to investigate if there are any possible gaps in the offering Vocational Curriculum Report 191, in terms of knowledge, skills and link to the world of work. This study was a case study of three Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges that offer Vocational Curriculum Report 191, and it was geographically limited to the province of the Eastern Cape. The five main findings from this study were that firstly, the curriculum offers theory without practice. Secondly, there is a mismatch between what is offered as curriculum at Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges and what the labour market wants. Thirdly, lecturers do not have the practical exposure that relates to their fields of study. Fourthly, Vocational Curriculum Report 191 does not promote self-employment of its students and lastly, the curriculum is outdated and does not comply with the criteria of current employment opportunities. The study recommends that the curriculum be reviewed and revised. Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges need to have in site practice facilities to cater for the practical application of theoretical knowledge of students. Partnerships between Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges, the labour market and Sector Education and Training Authorities are strongly recommended in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Water service delivery in Harare: a willingness to pay (WTP) analysis
- Authors: Mugomba, Lynsey M
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4120 , vital:20614
- Description: In 2008-2009, Harare (Zimbabwe) was the centre of the worst cholera outbreak in Africa in the past fifteen years. A key reason cited was the lack of adequate water service delivery by the Harare City Council (HCC). Harare requires an optimum supply of 1 400 mega litres (ML) of water daily but the HCC has capacity to produce 650ML and after leakages and theft, only 400ML reaches consumers. This inadequacy compromised the hygiene of residents and forced them to resort to unsafe water sources. Coupled with a failing healthcare system, the outbreak resulted in over 4 000 deaths and further affected 100 000 people. The HCC attributes its poor service delivery to the lack of funds rendering them unable to adequately increase capacity and refurbish existing infrastructure (treatment plants and pipelines). This thesis serves to explore whether the residents of Harare (and surrounding satellite towns) would be willing to pay monthly contributions towards the USD$2.5 billion needed for various water capacity and infrastructure projects to ease the water crisis in Harare. The study analyses the water problem using a framework on the typical stages of water provision. The research also places an emphasis on the key social, economic and political factors that are contributing to the problem in Harare. Upon closer inspection, it was seen that the financial problems that the HCC is having are not only due to the economy, but poor management and transparency structures are also to blame. For various reasons, the government has largely lost its credibility with its citizens, leading some to conclude that the government’s actions reflect those of a predatory state. The contingent valuation method (willingness to pay-WTP) was used in conjunction with the dichotomous choice referendum. The binary probit model was used to help assess the degree to which different variables influenced the respondent’s decision to contribute to the needed funds. In spite of the seeming lack of trust, it was found that approximately 66.19% of the respondents were willing to pay. Amongst those willing, the mean willingness to pay amount was approximately USD$7 monthly per household.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mugomba, Lynsey M
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4120 , vital:20614
- Description: In 2008-2009, Harare (Zimbabwe) was the centre of the worst cholera outbreak in Africa in the past fifteen years. A key reason cited was the lack of adequate water service delivery by the Harare City Council (HCC). Harare requires an optimum supply of 1 400 mega litres (ML) of water daily but the HCC has capacity to produce 650ML and after leakages and theft, only 400ML reaches consumers. This inadequacy compromised the hygiene of residents and forced them to resort to unsafe water sources. Coupled with a failing healthcare system, the outbreak resulted in over 4 000 deaths and further affected 100 000 people. The HCC attributes its poor service delivery to the lack of funds rendering them unable to adequately increase capacity and refurbish existing infrastructure (treatment plants and pipelines). This thesis serves to explore whether the residents of Harare (and surrounding satellite towns) would be willing to pay monthly contributions towards the USD$2.5 billion needed for various water capacity and infrastructure projects to ease the water crisis in Harare. The study analyses the water problem using a framework on the typical stages of water provision. The research also places an emphasis on the key social, economic and political factors that are contributing to the problem in Harare. Upon closer inspection, it was seen that the financial problems that the HCC is having are not only due to the economy, but poor management and transparency structures are also to blame. For various reasons, the government has largely lost its credibility with its citizens, leading some to conclude that the government’s actions reflect those of a predatory state. The contingent valuation method (willingness to pay-WTP) was used in conjunction with the dichotomous choice referendum. The binary probit model was used to help assess the degree to which different variables influenced the respondent’s decision to contribute to the needed funds. In spite of the seeming lack of trust, it was found that approximately 66.19% of the respondents were willing to pay. Amongst those willing, the mean willingness to pay amount was approximately USD$7 monthly per household.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Water supply development decision-making in South Africa
- Authors: Preston, Ian Robert
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Water security -- South Africa , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Cost effectiveness , Water consumption -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Management , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Decision making
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1210 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020848
- Description: Balancing water demand and supply in South Africa involves high levels of uncertainty. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is responsible for making decisions to either increase water supply or decrease water demand so as to ensure that sufficient water is available, when and where it is needed. However, no retrospective analyses of such decisions have been found. One way to assess such decisions is to evaluate the associated costs and benefits thereof. Therefore the primary aim of this study is to evaluate the costs and benefits of selected water supply options, and of the decision-making associated with those options. In order to achieve this purpose, four case studies were analysed within a mixed-methods research paradigm, which used both quantitative and qualitative methods, including unit reference value (URV) analysis, inter- and intra-case analysis and content analysis to examine the success of the decisions made. The four case studies were conducted on the Inyaka, Nandoni, Berg and De Hoop dams and their catchments. Firstly, estimated and actual project costs were compared using unit reference analysis and inter-case analyses. Secondly, the reduction of mean annual runoff (MAR) caused by invasive alien plants (IAPs) and the cost of clearing them in the dam catchments were evaluated using inter-case analyses. Information thus gathered was used together with data from DWS documentation and the results of interviews with ten key specialists, to analyse the decision-making process that led to the decision to build De Hoop Dam (the most recent case study). The rational decision-making model (RDMM) was used as a framework within which to analyse and evaluate this decision-making process. This study has also demonstrated how the RDMM can be used to assess decision-making associated with water supply development. The results of this study show that there is considerable variation of estimated costs (at the time that the decision to build the dam was taken) in relation to the actual costs of building the dams and that Ministers were not put in a position to understand the full long-term costs or the opportunity costs of the proposed dams. Furthermore, the most recent IAP data (2008) shows that the impact on water security by IAPs could not offset the water security resulting from building each of the four dams. However, if IAP management is not continued in these catchments, the projected reduction of MAR by IAPs will compromise water security within 45 years. Given the almost exponential spread and densification of IAPs, together with their long-term impact on MAR and increased costs of controlling them, it is clear that IAP management should have been factored into water supply decision-making from the outset. In the analysis of the decision to build the De Hoop Dam, the results show that while the decision-making process that culminated in the decision to build the dam did not follow the steps of the RDMM, DWS appears to have followed a somewhat similar approach. It was found that while there was a need for the provision of additional water in the Olifants catchment, this need was overstated and the resulting overestimation caused the scale and size of the dam to be larger than it could and probably should have been. Additionally, it appears that DWS‘s decision to build the De Hoop Dam themselves, rather than having it built by the private sector, may have been less than optimal. It is recommended that, in future decision-making, DWS needs to incorporate multiple alternative options into the same solution, and to ensure that decision-makers are put into a position to make informed decisions, including adequate consideration of externalities. Furthermore, DWS needs to employ decision-making models such as the RDMM to facilitate retrospective analyses to improve their institutional knowledge. Keywords: water resources management, dams, invasive alien plants, decision-making, unit reference values, rational decision-making model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Preston, Ian Robert
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Water security -- South Africa , Water resources development -- South Africa -- Cost effectiveness , Water consumption -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Management , Water-supply -- South Africa -- Decision making
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:1210 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020848
- Description: Balancing water demand and supply in South Africa involves high levels of uncertainty. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is responsible for making decisions to either increase water supply or decrease water demand so as to ensure that sufficient water is available, when and where it is needed. However, no retrospective analyses of such decisions have been found. One way to assess such decisions is to evaluate the associated costs and benefits thereof. Therefore the primary aim of this study is to evaluate the costs and benefits of selected water supply options, and of the decision-making associated with those options. In order to achieve this purpose, four case studies were analysed within a mixed-methods research paradigm, which used both quantitative and qualitative methods, including unit reference value (URV) analysis, inter- and intra-case analysis and content analysis to examine the success of the decisions made. The four case studies were conducted on the Inyaka, Nandoni, Berg and De Hoop dams and their catchments. Firstly, estimated and actual project costs were compared using unit reference analysis and inter-case analyses. Secondly, the reduction of mean annual runoff (MAR) caused by invasive alien plants (IAPs) and the cost of clearing them in the dam catchments were evaluated using inter-case analyses. Information thus gathered was used together with data from DWS documentation and the results of interviews with ten key specialists, to analyse the decision-making process that led to the decision to build De Hoop Dam (the most recent case study). The rational decision-making model (RDMM) was used as a framework within which to analyse and evaluate this decision-making process. This study has also demonstrated how the RDMM can be used to assess decision-making associated with water supply development. The results of this study show that there is considerable variation of estimated costs (at the time that the decision to build the dam was taken) in relation to the actual costs of building the dams and that Ministers were not put in a position to understand the full long-term costs or the opportunity costs of the proposed dams. Furthermore, the most recent IAP data (2008) shows that the impact on water security by IAPs could not offset the water security resulting from building each of the four dams. However, if IAP management is not continued in these catchments, the projected reduction of MAR by IAPs will compromise water security within 45 years. Given the almost exponential spread and densification of IAPs, together with their long-term impact on MAR and increased costs of controlling them, it is clear that IAP management should have been factored into water supply decision-making from the outset. In the analysis of the decision to build the De Hoop Dam, the results show that while the decision-making process that culminated in the decision to build the dam did not follow the steps of the RDMM, DWS appears to have followed a somewhat similar approach. It was found that while there was a need for the provision of additional water in the Olifants catchment, this need was overstated and the resulting overestimation caused the scale and size of the dam to be larger than it could and probably should have been. Additionally, it appears that DWS‘s decision to build the De Hoop Dam themselves, rather than having it built by the private sector, may have been less than optimal. It is recommended that, in future decision-making, DWS needs to incorporate multiple alternative options into the same solution, and to ensure that decision-makers are put into a position to make informed decisions, including adequate consideration of externalities. Furthermore, DWS needs to employ decision-making models such as the RDMM to facilitate retrospective analyses to improve their institutional knowledge. Keywords: water resources management, dams, invasive alien plants, decision-making, unit reference values, rational decision-making model.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Wavelength-modulation spectroscopy for the evaluation of the photoresponse of solar cells
- Mandanirina, Nambinintsoa Roméoh Hasinjatovo
- Authors: Mandanirina, Nambinintsoa Roméoh Hasinjatovo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Gallium arsenide semiconductors , Solar cells , Modulation spectroscopy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7244 , vital:21312
- Description: This study describes the development of a wavelength-modulation spectroscopy technique for the evaluation of solar cell devices. In particular, the technique is used to investigate the sub-bandgap response associated with the incorporation of GaSb quantum rings into the active region of a conventional GaAs p-i-n solar cell. These GaSb/GaAs quantum ring solar cells are a class of third generation cells, with the potential to exceed the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit of single junction devices. Wavelength-modulation spectroscopy (WMS) techniques involve the modulation of the wavelength of a pseudo-monochromatic light source, with the resulting variation in the measured photocurrent then being a measure of the differential optical response of the solar cell. Although the conventional photocurrent spectrum of a solar cell is a good measure of the optical response characteristics, the differential technique gives supplemental detail related to the absorption spectrum. In addition to the basic WMS setup, we also developed an in situ flux correction module to ensure that a constant excitation intensity is maintained during the wavelength modulation. The excitation source inherently has a spectral dependence that leads to an undesirable contribution to the photocurrent signal. The operation of the flux corrected WMS setup has been demonstrated by photocurrent and photo-capacitance response measurements to obtain the differential quantum efficiency and charging characteristics of the quantum ring solar cells.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mandanirina, Nambinintsoa Roméoh Hasinjatovo
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Gallium arsenide semiconductors , Solar cells , Modulation spectroscopy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/7244 , vital:21312
- Description: This study describes the development of a wavelength-modulation spectroscopy technique for the evaluation of solar cell devices. In particular, the technique is used to investigate the sub-bandgap response associated with the incorporation of GaSb quantum rings into the active region of a conventional GaAs p-i-n solar cell. These GaSb/GaAs quantum ring solar cells are a class of third generation cells, with the potential to exceed the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit of single junction devices. Wavelength-modulation spectroscopy (WMS) techniques involve the modulation of the wavelength of a pseudo-monochromatic light source, with the resulting variation in the measured photocurrent then being a measure of the differential optical response of the solar cell. Although the conventional photocurrent spectrum of a solar cell is a good measure of the optical response characteristics, the differential technique gives supplemental detail related to the absorption spectrum. In addition to the basic WMS setup, we also developed an in situ flux correction module to ensure that a constant excitation intensity is maintained during the wavelength modulation. The excitation source inherently has a spectral dependence that leads to an undesirable contribution to the photocurrent signal. The operation of the flux corrected WMS setup has been demonstrated by photocurrent and photo-capacitance response measurements to obtain the differential quantum efficiency and charging characteristics of the quantum ring solar cells.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Ways of seeing over time: the construction and imagination of ‘historic separation’ in Israeli and Palestinian cultures
- Authors: Butler, Nina Melissa
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/474 , vital:19962
- Description: There exists an international consensus that Palestinian and Israeli societies are ceaselessly and essentially acrimonious. This thesis argues that the conceptualisation of ‘historic separation’ in Palestine/Israel is supported and nourished by national narratives that follow classic historicism and a linear trajectory of essentialised culture progressing over time. Given these patterns in historiography and cultural expressions, conceptualisations of the future are argued to be dominated by the ‘overdetermined’ and ‘sacralised’ pasts that arrest the ability to conceive of alternative horizons. These national narratives are analysed borrowing from the theorisation of Edward Said on hegemonic culture, and Ranjit Guha’s Subaltern critique of historicism. Zionism is argued to function as a cultural hegemony that operates in a mercurial, selfsustaining and vibrant manner that has the effect of what this thesis terms ‘centrifugal magnetism’ on discourse in the region. Palestinian national narratives are held to be in tangential relation to Zionism (a classic colonial master-narrative), thus entering into a ‘terrible embrace’ of destructive colonial/postcolonial repetition that tends towards violent conflict and the discrimination of minorities. This thesis then proposes a ‘way out’ of this historiographical pattern that is argued to tangibly inform the cultural fabric of the region. By drawing on the later works of Mahmoud Darwish, Mustaffa Hallaj and Said, it is proposed that there are traces of a notion of self and community that can be described as postnational. This demands a reconstruction of narratives of the past in the region in a pluralistic fashion that is based upon shared exilic identity in flux over what Darwish termed an ‘open historical space’. Crucially, this alternative postnational narrative opens up conceptualisations of the future and is founded upon a renewed disposition to temporality. This thesis thus concludes by proposing that an understanding of temporality as ‘ecstatic’ and essential to being (Martin Heidegger) should be included as a crucial consideration for the end to conflict and the attainment of just and equitable futures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Butler, Nina Melissa
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/474 , vital:19962
- Description: There exists an international consensus that Palestinian and Israeli societies are ceaselessly and essentially acrimonious. This thesis argues that the conceptualisation of ‘historic separation’ in Palestine/Israel is supported and nourished by national narratives that follow classic historicism and a linear trajectory of essentialised culture progressing over time. Given these patterns in historiography and cultural expressions, conceptualisations of the future are argued to be dominated by the ‘overdetermined’ and ‘sacralised’ pasts that arrest the ability to conceive of alternative horizons. These national narratives are analysed borrowing from the theorisation of Edward Said on hegemonic culture, and Ranjit Guha’s Subaltern critique of historicism. Zionism is argued to function as a cultural hegemony that operates in a mercurial, selfsustaining and vibrant manner that has the effect of what this thesis terms ‘centrifugal magnetism’ on discourse in the region. Palestinian national narratives are held to be in tangential relation to Zionism (a classic colonial master-narrative), thus entering into a ‘terrible embrace’ of destructive colonial/postcolonial repetition that tends towards violent conflict and the discrimination of minorities. This thesis then proposes a ‘way out’ of this historiographical pattern that is argued to tangibly inform the cultural fabric of the region. By drawing on the later works of Mahmoud Darwish, Mustaffa Hallaj and Said, it is proposed that there are traces of a notion of self and community that can be described as postnational. This demands a reconstruction of narratives of the past in the region in a pluralistic fashion that is based upon shared exilic identity in flux over what Darwish termed an ‘open historical space’. Crucially, this alternative postnational narrative opens up conceptualisations of the future and is founded upon a renewed disposition to temporality. This thesis thus concludes by proposing that an understanding of temporality as ‘ecstatic’ and essential to being (Martin Heidegger) should be included as a crucial consideration for the end to conflict and the attainment of just and equitable futures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Weak form market efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange : pre during and post the 2008 global financial crisis
- Authors: Futshane, Olwetu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Global Financial Crisis, 2008-2009 Efficient market theory Random walks (Mathematics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11895 , vital:39116
- Description: The importance of the efficiency of the stock market cannot be underestimated, given that it brings together those who demand and supply development finance. It is against this background that this study focused on analysing the weak form efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for the period 2005 to 2016. The study reviewed the theoretical and empirical literatures which have tried to examine the market efficiency of the Johannesburg stock exchange and whether the JSE follows that random walk. Based on the review of literature, several methodologies such as (unit root tests, autocorrelation test) were employed in the study obtaining robust results that the JSE price indices (All Share, Resources and Financials) follow the random walk process. To further confirm the findings in this research, the variance ratio test is conducted under heteroscedasticity and homoscedasticity it also strongly verified that the existence of a random walk process cannot be rejected in the JSE. The empirical results from all the various tests reveal that the null hypothesis of random walk cannot be rejected. These results thus suggest that the JSE is efficient in its weak form. This commends all the measures which have been carried out to ensure that the market is efficient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Futshane, Olwetu
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Global Financial Crisis, 2008-2009 Efficient market theory Random walks (Mathematics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11895 , vital:39116
- Description: The importance of the efficiency of the stock market cannot be underestimated, given that it brings together those who demand and supply development finance. It is against this background that this study focused on analysing the weak form efficiency of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for the period 2005 to 2016. The study reviewed the theoretical and empirical literatures which have tried to examine the market efficiency of the Johannesburg stock exchange and whether the JSE follows that random walk. Based on the review of literature, several methodologies such as (unit root tests, autocorrelation test) were employed in the study obtaining robust results that the JSE price indices (All Share, Resources and Financials) follow the random walk process. To further confirm the findings in this research, the variance ratio test is conducted under heteroscedasticity and homoscedasticity it also strongly verified that the existence of a random walk process cannot be rejected in the JSE. The empirical results from all the various tests reveal that the null hypothesis of random walk cannot be rejected. These results thus suggest that the JSE is efficient in its weak form. This commends all the measures which have been carried out to ensure that the market is efficient.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Wellness strategies for unskilled and semi-skilled employees in the built environment
- Authors: Dido, Romano William
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6929 , vital:21168
- Description: More employees in organisations in the built environment are beginning to suffer from ill health related to work when compared with employees in other industries. There are many reasons for this, such as: unsuitable working conditions, physical demands linked to the occupation and the high proportion of transient unskilled and semi-skilled employees. A study concerning the wellness levels of unskilled and semi-skilled employees therefore contributes to the understanding and improvement of employee health within the industry. The main objective of this study was therefore to identify the wellness levels of employees in the built environment and their perceptions of the extent to which their company provides wellness interventions or strategies. The methodological approach used in this study was within a quantitative paradigm, and a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. The findings indicated that the employees engaged in healthy activities and that the organisation encouraged the employees to maintain healthy lifestyles. However, there were areas that required consideration. Specifically, more attention should be given to budgeting for wellness interventions, regular health screenings should take place and more attention to substance abuse is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Dido, Romano William
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6929 , vital:21168
- Description: More employees in organisations in the built environment are beginning to suffer from ill health related to work when compared with employees in other industries. There are many reasons for this, such as: unsuitable working conditions, physical demands linked to the occupation and the high proportion of transient unskilled and semi-skilled employees. A study concerning the wellness levels of unskilled and semi-skilled employees therefore contributes to the understanding and improvement of employee health within the industry. The main objective of this study was therefore to identify the wellness levels of employees in the built environment and their perceptions of the extent to which their company provides wellness interventions or strategies. The methodological approach used in this study was within a quantitative paradigm, and a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. The findings indicated that the employees engaged in healthy activities and that the organisation encouraged the employees to maintain healthy lifestyles. However, there were areas that required consideration. Specifically, more attention should be given to budgeting for wellness interventions, regular health screenings should take place and more attention to substance abuse is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Where the body ends
- Authors: Hardy, Stacy
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:6004 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021212
- Description: My collection of stories explores the intersection of the human body and the body of text via the tropes of disease and animality. Drawing on my experience of living with tuberculosis for many years, I attempt to write disease differently – not merely to be survived, overcome, cured, eradicated, but as something to be embraced via the Deleuzian affirmation of being worthy of what happens to us. Taking my cue from Sontag, I use a creaturely approach to writing, “an infinitely varied register of forms and tonalities for transporting the human voice into prose narrative”, emphasising the shared embodiedness of humans and animals so as to challenge the omnipotence of thought that subjugates and colonises the body as exclusively human.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Hardy, Stacy
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:6004 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021212
- Description: My collection of stories explores the intersection of the human body and the body of text via the tropes of disease and animality. Drawing on my experience of living with tuberculosis for many years, I attempt to write disease differently – not merely to be survived, overcome, cured, eradicated, but as something to be embraced via the Deleuzian affirmation of being worthy of what happens to us. Taking my cue from Sontag, I use a creaturely approach to writing, “an infinitely varied register of forms and tonalities for transporting the human voice into prose narrative”, emphasising the shared embodiedness of humans and animals so as to challenge the omnipotence of thought that subjugates and colonises the body as exclusively human.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Women in decision making positions in the South African National Defence Force
- Authors: Mpendulo, Bongiwe Wendy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Decision making -- Women -- South Africa Leadership in women -- South Africa Women in public life -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12242 , vital:27047
- Description: This study investigates the women in decision-making positions in the South African Defence Force (SANDF), with a special focus on the Human Resources Division. The Security Sector, a previously male-dominated sector, is investigated. The environment, the enabling qualities, policy formulation, implementation of gender-sensitive policies, monitoring of the implementation of gender policies and opportunities are explored to investigate their impact on decision-making by women. This research report is based on the hypothesis that, despite the appointment of women in key-decision-making positions, their role in these positions does not make an impact on their overall decision-making, as they are not empowered to perform at their best due to various factors that are analysed in this report. Factors that contribute to or impede impactful decision-making by women in decision-making positions in the Security Sector are investigated in this report. This report acknowledges the efforts made by the SANDF to comply with the required legislation for the empowerment of women in decision-making positions. However the environment, stereotypes and other factors pose a challenge to the impact that women potentially have in decision-making positions. The number of women in decision-making positions poses a challenge to the influence that these appointed women can have in their positions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mpendulo, Bongiwe Wendy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Decision making -- Women -- South Africa Leadership in women -- South Africa Women in public life -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12242 , vital:27047
- Description: This study investigates the women in decision-making positions in the South African Defence Force (SANDF), with a special focus on the Human Resources Division. The Security Sector, a previously male-dominated sector, is investigated. The environment, the enabling qualities, policy formulation, implementation of gender-sensitive policies, monitoring of the implementation of gender policies and opportunities are explored to investigate their impact on decision-making by women. This research report is based on the hypothesis that, despite the appointment of women in key-decision-making positions, their role in these positions does not make an impact on their overall decision-making, as they are not empowered to perform at their best due to various factors that are analysed in this report. Factors that contribute to or impede impactful decision-making by women in decision-making positions in the Security Sector are investigated in this report. This report acknowledges the efforts made by the SANDF to comply with the required legislation for the empowerment of women in decision-making positions. However the environment, stereotypes and other factors pose a challenge to the impact that women potentially have in decision-making positions. The number of women in decision-making positions poses a challenge to the influence that these appointed women can have in their positions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Work engagement ,organizational commitment and perceived organizational support within a South African agricultural organization
- Authors: Van der Byl, Sally Louise
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Organizational commitment Employee motivation -- Agriculture , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45580 , vital:38915
- Description: As organisations focus on cultivating extraordinary performance and developing human strength, the need for understanding related constructs has increased. Work engagement, organisational commitment and POS are associated with positive experiences in the workplace. By better understanding these constructs within the agricultural industry, agricultural organisations can focus and develop these constructs in order to increase their sustained competitive advantage. A self-report electronic questionnaire was distributed to employees (N = 126) of a large agricultural organisation whose employees are located throughout South Africa. The measuring instrument measured demographic variables, work engagement, organisational commitment and POS. descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results indicate that both the work engagement and POS constructs are related to affective, normative and overall organisational commitment. A substantial relationship was also established between work engagement and POS. It was also determined that employees with specialised industry skills are more engaged and committed than their colleagues whose skills are not directly related to agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Van der Byl, Sally Louise
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Organizational commitment Employee motivation -- Agriculture , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45580 , vital:38915
- Description: As organisations focus on cultivating extraordinary performance and developing human strength, the need for understanding related constructs has increased. Work engagement, organisational commitment and POS are associated with positive experiences in the workplace. By better understanding these constructs within the agricultural industry, agricultural organisations can focus and develop these constructs in order to increase their sustained competitive advantage. A self-report electronic questionnaire was distributed to employees (N = 126) of a large agricultural organisation whose employees are located throughout South Africa. The measuring instrument measured demographic variables, work engagement, organisational commitment and POS. descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The results indicate that both the work engagement and POS constructs are related to affective, normative and overall organisational commitment. A substantial relationship was also established between work engagement and POS. It was also determined that employees with specialised industry skills are more engaged and committed than their colleagues whose skills are not directly related to agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Workplace bullying and job engagement on the intention to leave among nurses at selected hospitals in the Chris Hani district, Eastern Cap
- Authors: Ngamani, Theolin Busisiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Bullying in the workplace -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Harassment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Intimidation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12700 , vital:39300
- Description: Orientation: Workplace bullying and job engagement influence the degree of employees’ intention to leave their jobs. Research purpose: The overall objective of this research was to establish the relationship between workplace bullying and job engagement and how they impact on the intention to leave. Motivation for the study: Nursing turnover seems to be one of the challenges facing health care sector in South Africa. Workplace bullying and job engagement need to be examined in order to retain best nurses as they influence the degree of employee’s intention to leave. Research approach, design and method: A quantitative research design was used to investigate the degree to which workplace bullying and job engagement predict on the intention to leave. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire from a simple random sample of 228 nurses. Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were employed to test the relationship between workplace bullying, job engagement and the intention to leave. Main findings: Four hypotheses were extracted: There is a significant relationship between workplace bullying and the intention to leave, there is a significant relationship between job engagement and the intention to leave, there is a significant relationship between workplace bullying and job engagement, and there is a significant combined effect of workplace bullying and job engagement on prediction of the intention to leave. The results highlighted a significant combined effect of workplace bullying and job engagement on prediction of the intention to leave. Practical Implications: Based on the findings, the study concludes that workplace bullying and job engagement in nursing are prevalent and have a negative impact on the intention to leave as most of the victims are thinking of quitting once bullying has taken place. Contribution: This study provides a holistic understanding of workplace bullying and job engagement and how they impact on the intention to leave. The findings reflect a significant combined effect of workplace bullying and job engagement on prediction of the intention to leave. It was indicated that workplace bullying and job engagement influenced the extent of employees’ intention to leave.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Ngamani, Theolin Busisiwe
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Bullying in the workplace -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Harassment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Intimidation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12700 , vital:39300
- Description: Orientation: Workplace bullying and job engagement influence the degree of employees’ intention to leave their jobs. Research purpose: The overall objective of this research was to establish the relationship between workplace bullying and job engagement and how they impact on the intention to leave. Motivation for the study: Nursing turnover seems to be one of the challenges facing health care sector in South Africa. Workplace bullying and job engagement need to be examined in order to retain best nurses as they influence the degree of employee’s intention to leave. Research approach, design and method: A quantitative research design was used to investigate the degree to which workplace bullying and job engagement predict on the intention to leave. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire from a simple random sample of 228 nurses. Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were employed to test the relationship between workplace bullying, job engagement and the intention to leave. Main findings: Four hypotheses were extracted: There is a significant relationship between workplace bullying and the intention to leave, there is a significant relationship between job engagement and the intention to leave, there is a significant relationship between workplace bullying and job engagement, and there is a significant combined effect of workplace bullying and job engagement on prediction of the intention to leave. The results highlighted a significant combined effect of workplace bullying and job engagement on prediction of the intention to leave. Practical Implications: Based on the findings, the study concludes that workplace bullying and job engagement in nursing are prevalent and have a negative impact on the intention to leave as most of the victims are thinking of quitting once bullying has taken place. Contribution: This study provides a holistic understanding of workplace bullying and job engagement and how they impact on the intention to leave. The findings reflect a significant combined effect of workplace bullying and job engagement on prediction of the intention to leave. It was indicated that workplace bullying and job engagement influenced the extent of employees’ intention to leave.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Workplace violence among professional nurses in a private healthcare facility
- Authors: Schlebusch-Marie, Linda
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Violence in the workplace -- Nursing -- South Africa Nurses -- Violence against -- South Africa , Health facilities -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12801 , vital:27122
- Description: Workplace violence is an international problem and has negative consequences for individuals, organizations and communities. For individuals, the effect includes symptoms of fear, stress, irritability, feelings of isolation, insecurity, and low selfesteem. Healthcare organizations incur increased cost due to litigation due to poor quality of care, high staff turnovers and absenteeism, and their brands are negatively affected. Community members, who are the recipients of care, are placed in danger and are indirectly the victims of such workplace violence, which in turn affects their trust in private healthcare organizations or professions to provide the quality health care that they expect and deserve. Workplace violence takes many forms such as incivility, horizontal violence and bullying to name but a few. The perpetrators of such violence are doctors, nurses, patients and relatives. Workplace violence takes place in South Africa however, paucity in research was found by the researcher. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of professional nurses regarding workplace violence in a private healthcare facility in order to develop guidelines to address workplace violence in such a facility. A qualitative, explorative, contextual and descriptive study was conducted, using the Critical Social Theory as the paradigm. Data were gathered from professional nurses that have experienced workplace violence utilizing narratives. Fourteen narrative interviews were done until data was saturated. The data was transcribed verbatim and Tesch’s method of thematic synthesis was used to analyse the data. The three themes that emerged from the data were: Professional nurses acknowledge the existence of workplace violence where they work, Participants described the effect of workplace violence on themselves, others and the work environment, and Participants discussed their views regarding management of violence in the workplace. A thick description of the data with a literature control was provided. Thereafter inferences were made regarding the main themes of the guidelines and these focussed on: Preventing and addressing workplace violence by Nursing Service Managers; Preventing and addressing workplace violence by Nurse Unit Managers and Empowering professional nurses to address workplace violence. To ensure rigour and trustworthiness of the study, the researcher used Lincoln and Guba’s criteria namely: credibility, dependability, conformability and transferability. To protect the right and dignity of the participants and to safeguard the integrity of the study the researcher complied with the following ethical principles: beneficence, non- maleficence, autonomy, justice, veracity, privacy, and confidentiality. The limitations of this study were that data was collected from only one category of nurses and only one private healthcare facility was used. Recommendations from this study include implementation of the guidelines to establish their effectiveness. The findings of this study can be used to empower professional nurses to deal with workplace violence and to prevent the short and long term effects of workplace violence on the individual, the organization and the community. Nursing education institutions can also incorporate workplace violence into their curriculum to increase the awareness of students regarding this phenomenon.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Schlebusch-Marie, Linda
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Violence in the workplace -- Nursing -- South Africa Nurses -- Violence against -- South Africa , Health facilities -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12801 , vital:27122
- Description: Workplace violence is an international problem and has negative consequences for individuals, organizations and communities. For individuals, the effect includes symptoms of fear, stress, irritability, feelings of isolation, insecurity, and low selfesteem. Healthcare organizations incur increased cost due to litigation due to poor quality of care, high staff turnovers and absenteeism, and their brands are negatively affected. Community members, who are the recipients of care, are placed in danger and are indirectly the victims of such workplace violence, which in turn affects their trust in private healthcare organizations or professions to provide the quality health care that they expect and deserve. Workplace violence takes many forms such as incivility, horizontal violence and bullying to name but a few. The perpetrators of such violence are doctors, nurses, patients and relatives. Workplace violence takes place in South Africa however, paucity in research was found by the researcher. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of professional nurses regarding workplace violence in a private healthcare facility in order to develop guidelines to address workplace violence in such a facility. A qualitative, explorative, contextual and descriptive study was conducted, using the Critical Social Theory as the paradigm. Data were gathered from professional nurses that have experienced workplace violence utilizing narratives. Fourteen narrative interviews were done until data was saturated. The data was transcribed verbatim and Tesch’s method of thematic synthesis was used to analyse the data. The three themes that emerged from the data were: Professional nurses acknowledge the existence of workplace violence where they work, Participants described the effect of workplace violence on themselves, others and the work environment, and Participants discussed their views regarding management of violence in the workplace. A thick description of the data with a literature control was provided. Thereafter inferences were made regarding the main themes of the guidelines and these focussed on: Preventing and addressing workplace violence by Nursing Service Managers; Preventing and addressing workplace violence by Nurse Unit Managers and Empowering professional nurses to address workplace violence. To ensure rigour and trustworthiness of the study, the researcher used Lincoln and Guba’s criteria namely: credibility, dependability, conformability and transferability. To protect the right and dignity of the participants and to safeguard the integrity of the study the researcher complied with the following ethical principles: beneficence, non- maleficence, autonomy, justice, veracity, privacy, and confidentiality. The limitations of this study were that data was collected from only one category of nurses and only one private healthcare facility was used. Recommendations from this study include implementation of the guidelines to establish their effectiveness. The findings of this study can be used to empower professional nurses to deal with workplace violence and to prevent the short and long term effects of workplace violence on the individual, the organization and the community. Nursing education institutions can also incorporate workplace violence into their curriculum to increase the awareness of students regarding this phenomenon.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
“Just trying to live our lives”: gay, lesbian and bisexual students’ experiences of being “at home” in university residence life
- Authors: Munyuki, Chipo Lidia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Homosexuality and education -- South Africa , Gay students , Lesbian students , Bisexual students , Transsexual students , Student housing , Discrimination in higher education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2893 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020341
- Description: Higher education in South Africa is faced with a paramount task to help erode the social and structural inequalities that have been inherited from the Apartheid system (Department of Education 1997; Council on Higher Education 2000:12). The findings from the Soudien Report (2008:116-117) point out that the post-Apartheid higher education system in South Africa is characterised by various forms of discrimination and institutional cultures that marginalise some members of institutions resulting in pervasive feelings of alienation. In the South African higher education field, the concept of a “home” for all has been used by a variety of commentators to depict a vision of what transformed, inclusive higher education institutional cultures might look like. In this thesis, I interpret the experiences of residence life on the part of gay, lesbian and bisexual students on a largely residential campus. I ask how gay, lesbian and bisexual students experience being “at home” in the campus’s residence system. The thesis is based on 18 in-depth qualitative interviews with students who self-identify as gay/lesbian or bisexual who have experienced residence life on the campus for a period longer than six months. A wide literature exists on the concept of “home”. Drawing from many different disciplines including anthropology, history, philosophy, geography, psychology, architecture and sociology, I distil the essential features of “at homeness” as incorporating comfort, privacy, security, acceptance, companionship and community. The research was concerned to inquire into how central the idea of home is to human flourishing and then into how gay, lesbian and bisexual students are routinely denied many of the essential comforts associated with being “at home” that heterosexual students have the privilege of taking for granted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Munyuki, Chipo Lidia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Homosexuality and education -- South Africa , Gay students , Lesbian students , Bisexual students , Transsexual students , Student housing , Discrimination in higher education -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:2893 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020341
- Description: Higher education in South Africa is faced with a paramount task to help erode the social and structural inequalities that have been inherited from the Apartheid system (Department of Education 1997; Council on Higher Education 2000:12). The findings from the Soudien Report (2008:116-117) point out that the post-Apartheid higher education system in South Africa is characterised by various forms of discrimination and institutional cultures that marginalise some members of institutions resulting in pervasive feelings of alienation. In the South African higher education field, the concept of a “home” for all has been used by a variety of commentators to depict a vision of what transformed, inclusive higher education institutional cultures might look like. In this thesis, I interpret the experiences of residence life on the part of gay, lesbian and bisexual students on a largely residential campus. I ask how gay, lesbian and bisexual students experience being “at home” in the campus’s residence system. The thesis is based on 18 in-depth qualitative interviews with students who self-identify as gay/lesbian or bisexual who have experienced residence life on the campus for a period longer than six months. A wide literature exists on the concept of “home”. Drawing from many different disciplines including anthropology, history, philosophy, geography, psychology, architecture and sociology, I distil the essential features of “at homeness” as incorporating comfort, privacy, security, acceptance, companionship and community. The research was concerned to inquire into how central the idea of home is to human flourishing and then into how gay, lesbian and bisexual students are routinely denied many of the essential comforts associated with being “at home” that heterosexual students have the privilege of taking for granted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016