A value alignment smart city stakeholder model
- Van der Hoogen, Anthea Vivian
- Authors: Van der Hoogen, Anthea Vivian
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54129 , vital:46309
- Description: The concept of a Smart City has evolved over the last three decades and has attracted the increasing interest of the scientific research community. Unfortunately, many Smart City projects and initiatives do not provide the value expected by all the stakeholders. Many of the reasons for this relate to a lack of data management, data integration, data access and stakeholder participation. People are an integral part of any city’s ecosystem, and the Smart City concept was introduced to address the challenges of an ever-growing global population leading to the risk of depletion of economic, environmental and social resources. The problem addressed in this study is based on the challenges preventing the creation of the value of smart cities or stakeholders. Limited research has been published on the status of Smart City initiatives or on the impact of various success factors on the potential value creation for stakeholders including citizens. Studies on initiatives in developing countries, such as South Africa are even less. Whilst some challenges and constraints related to smart cities in Africa have been reported, there are no studies reporting on initiatives across the data value chain that consider all types of stakeholders, nor the impact of these initiatives. This study addressed this gap in research and designed a theoretical Value Alignment Smart City Stakeholder (VASCS) Model based on a Systematic Literature Review and a review of related theories. The model has important components that should form part of any Smart City project or Smart City initiative. These five main components are: 1) nine Smart City dimensions with related success factors; 2) four stakeholder roles (enablers, providers, utilisers and users); 3) the data value chain; and 4) the five phases of stakeholder benefits/value realisation that can be linked to; 5) stakeholder value alignment. This study applied the VASCS Model to Smart City initiatives in two case studies in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, which were the Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City to investigate and understand the status of such initiatives and the alignment of value thereof. The stakeholder interviews were conducted in two rounds with various stakeholders of Smart City initiatives, referred to as cases in the two case studies. An expert review of the VASCS Model was conducted with eight experts in the field of Information Systems and Smart Cities. The findings of this review served to confirm the components of the model, with only minor improvements recommended. It was confirmed that all of the components need to be considered in planning Smart City projects. The first round consisted of six interviews with enablers and providers and the second round consisted of 22 interviews with users, utilisers and citizens. The interviews investigated the value and impact experienced by stakeholders of these initiatives, with a particular focus on the users, utilisers and citizens of the cases. The interview data was transcribed and qualitatively analysed by using Atlas.tiand Excel. The data was analysed according to the Technological, Organisational and Environmental theory constructs and other identified themes. The interview analysis findings revealed several drivers for these initiatives, which were primarily cost reduction, integration and quality assurance. The results also highlighted access to resources, such as technical skills as a challenge. Another challenge identified was connectivity related to access to data and the digital and physical divide that can impact decision making. The main benefits of Smart City initiatives highlighted were the provision of infrastructure, education and training and digitalisation. The theoretical contribution of this study is the VASCS Model, which can assist other researchers and practitioners with knowledge of the factors, drivers, challenges and value obtained in Smart City initiatives. The model has two supplementary components: A Stakeholder Classification Model and a Smart City Success Factor Evaluation Template. The practical contribution of this study is the potential use of the VASCS Model by practitioners, city management, researchers and other stakeholders, who can use the model, with the related model and template for planning and evaluating Smart City initiatives. The model can be used to classify the digital activities according to a Smart City’s success factors while evaluating the value created by these activities. The impact of these initiatives can then be assessed through value realisation and alignment for stakeholders. The scientific contribution is the adoption of the model to the cases in the Eastern Cape. To reveal in depth, rich, interview findings that provide important lessons learnt relating to the value created for the stakeholders and the addition of these findings to the body of knowledge. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Van der Hoogen, Anthea Vivian
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54129 , vital:46309
- Description: The concept of a Smart City has evolved over the last three decades and has attracted the increasing interest of the scientific research community. Unfortunately, many Smart City projects and initiatives do not provide the value expected by all the stakeholders. Many of the reasons for this relate to a lack of data management, data integration, data access and stakeholder participation. People are an integral part of any city’s ecosystem, and the Smart City concept was introduced to address the challenges of an ever-growing global population leading to the risk of depletion of economic, environmental and social resources. The problem addressed in this study is based on the challenges preventing the creation of the value of smart cities or stakeholders. Limited research has been published on the status of Smart City initiatives or on the impact of various success factors on the potential value creation for stakeholders including citizens. Studies on initiatives in developing countries, such as South Africa are even less. Whilst some challenges and constraints related to smart cities in Africa have been reported, there are no studies reporting on initiatives across the data value chain that consider all types of stakeholders, nor the impact of these initiatives. This study addressed this gap in research and designed a theoretical Value Alignment Smart City Stakeholder (VASCS) Model based on a Systematic Literature Review and a review of related theories. The model has important components that should form part of any Smart City project or Smart City initiative. These five main components are: 1) nine Smart City dimensions with related success factors; 2) four stakeholder roles (enablers, providers, utilisers and users); 3) the data value chain; and 4) the five phases of stakeholder benefits/value realisation that can be linked to; 5) stakeholder value alignment. This study applied the VASCS Model to Smart City initiatives in two case studies in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, which were the Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City to investigate and understand the status of such initiatives and the alignment of value thereof. The stakeholder interviews were conducted in two rounds with various stakeholders of Smart City initiatives, referred to as cases in the two case studies. An expert review of the VASCS Model was conducted with eight experts in the field of Information Systems and Smart Cities. The findings of this review served to confirm the components of the model, with only minor improvements recommended. It was confirmed that all of the components need to be considered in planning Smart City projects. The first round consisted of six interviews with enablers and providers and the second round consisted of 22 interviews with users, utilisers and citizens. The interviews investigated the value and impact experienced by stakeholders of these initiatives, with a particular focus on the users, utilisers and citizens of the cases. The interview data was transcribed and qualitatively analysed by using Atlas.tiand Excel. The data was analysed according to the Technological, Organisational and Environmental theory constructs and other identified themes. The interview analysis findings revealed several drivers for these initiatives, which were primarily cost reduction, integration and quality assurance. The results also highlighted access to resources, such as technical skills as a challenge. Another challenge identified was connectivity related to access to data and the digital and physical divide that can impact decision making. The main benefits of Smart City initiatives highlighted were the provision of infrastructure, education and training and digitalisation. The theoretical contribution of this study is the VASCS Model, which can assist other researchers and practitioners with knowledge of the factors, drivers, challenges and value obtained in Smart City initiatives. The model has two supplementary components: A Stakeholder Classification Model and a Smart City Success Factor Evaluation Template. The practical contribution of this study is the potential use of the VASCS Model by practitioners, city management, researchers and other stakeholders, who can use the model, with the related model and template for planning and evaluating Smart City initiatives. The model can be used to classify the digital activities according to a Smart City’s success factors while evaluating the value created by these activities. The impact of these initiatives can then be assessed through value realisation and alignment for stakeholders. The scientific contribution is the adoption of the model to the cases in the Eastern Cape. To reveal in depth, rich, interview findings that provide important lessons learnt relating to the value created for the stakeholders and the addition of these findings to the body of knowledge. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and employee engagement in a leading South African car rental company
- Authors: Mtati, Yanela
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53330 , vital:45134
- Description: The car rental industry in South Africa is a highly competitive sector. The industry’s players are constantly faced with the challenge of finding ways in which to enhance their competitiveness. One of the most important challenges for organisations operating in this industry is to deliver the best service to their customers, hence ensuring they retain customer loyalty, growth and securing future profitability. While a number of competitors may rely on various competitive strategies such as lower prices, it could become increasingly challenging for others to adopt similar approaches without comprising profitability. To overcome this challenge, together with Barloworld, Avis has implemented various employment engagement strategies with the aim of attracting, empowering, and retaining an engaged workforce. Research has shown that employees provide organisations with sustainable competitive advantage. More specifically, it has shown that engaged employees outperform disengaged employees. The differentiating factor for organisations in the pursuit of competitive advantage would therefore be an engaged workforce. In order to remain competitive, Avis realised that their employees area source of competitive advantage. In the year 2013, Avis packaged and introduced EVP as a human resources strategy towards winning an engaged workforce. Some of the objectives for taking on this strategy were to increase job satisfaction and motivation amongst employees and thus result in higher job performance. The main purpose of this study was to measure the impact that the introduction of EVP had on employee engagement at Avis. Introducing a structured EVP plan within this organisation was aimed to increase employee engagement and thus, this study aimed to measure the impact of this intervention. A literature review was conducted to expand on the various definitions of EVP, employee engagement and the elements that influence and impact these variables. This research revealed that engaged employees make positive contributions to key business outcomes such as financial performance, productivity and customer satisfaction. An empirical study was conducted by means of a survey with a questionnaire as data collecting tool. The purpose of the structured questionnaire was to validate the findings obtained from the theoretical overview and to assess employees’ perceptions of the EVP elements, engagement factors and the impact of engagement on the organisational success. The population comprised of 142employeesand 65% a response rate was obtained. The key findings of the study indicated that in general employees are engaged and committed to the vision of the organisation. It also indicated that the introduction of EVP improved the manner in which employees’ viewed their leaders and created a leadership culture that was conducive to the success of the organisation. Furthermore, the study validated the existence of a strong positive relationship between EVP, employee motivation, leadership culture, employee retention, compensation and employee engagement. This study provided direction and feedback in the organisation’s attempt to improve engagement levels and ultimately in the pursuit of competitive advantage. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMMU Business School, 2014.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-12
- Authors: Mtati, Yanela
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53330 , vital:45134
- Description: The car rental industry in South Africa is a highly competitive sector. The industry’s players are constantly faced with the challenge of finding ways in which to enhance their competitiveness. One of the most important challenges for organisations operating in this industry is to deliver the best service to their customers, hence ensuring they retain customer loyalty, growth and securing future profitability. While a number of competitors may rely on various competitive strategies such as lower prices, it could become increasingly challenging for others to adopt similar approaches without comprising profitability. To overcome this challenge, together with Barloworld, Avis has implemented various employment engagement strategies with the aim of attracting, empowering, and retaining an engaged workforce. Research has shown that employees provide organisations with sustainable competitive advantage. More specifically, it has shown that engaged employees outperform disengaged employees. The differentiating factor for organisations in the pursuit of competitive advantage would therefore be an engaged workforce. In order to remain competitive, Avis realised that their employees area source of competitive advantage. In the year 2013, Avis packaged and introduced EVP as a human resources strategy towards winning an engaged workforce. Some of the objectives for taking on this strategy were to increase job satisfaction and motivation amongst employees and thus result in higher job performance. The main purpose of this study was to measure the impact that the introduction of EVP had on employee engagement at Avis. Introducing a structured EVP plan within this organisation was aimed to increase employee engagement and thus, this study aimed to measure the impact of this intervention. A literature review was conducted to expand on the various definitions of EVP, employee engagement and the elements that influence and impact these variables. This research revealed that engaged employees make positive contributions to key business outcomes such as financial performance, productivity and customer satisfaction. An empirical study was conducted by means of a survey with a questionnaire as data collecting tool. The purpose of the structured questionnaire was to validate the findings obtained from the theoretical overview and to assess employees’ perceptions of the EVP elements, engagement factors and the impact of engagement on the organisational success. The population comprised of 142employeesand 65% a response rate was obtained. The key findings of the study indicated that in general employees are engaged and committed to the vision of the organisation. It also indicated that the introduction of EVP improved the manner in which employees’ viewed their leaders and created a leadership culture that was conducive to the success of the organisation. Furthermore, the study validated the existence of a strong positive relationship between EVP, employee motivation, leadership culture, employee retention, compensation and employee engagement. This study provided direction and feedback in the organisation’s attempt to improve engagement levels and ultimately in the pursuit of competitive advantage. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMMU Business School, 2014.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-12
Ureaplasma species in the placenta and histopathology associated with preterm birth
- Authors: Sprong, Kaitlin Elizabeth
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54128 , vital:46310
- Description: The Eastern Cape province is known for its high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. Studies from other countries indicate that Ureaplasma spp. have been associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvumand Mycoplasma hominisin the placenta and its role in preterm birth is unknown in South Africa. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (i) analyze placental histology, maternal and neonatal outcomes and clinical presentation of preterm birth, (ii) detect Ureaplasma spp. and M. hominisin the placenta from cases of preterm birth, (iii) determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasma spp. isolates and investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, (iv) characterize the microbial diversity in the placenta using 16S rRNA next generation sequencing and(v) review pathologies to ascertain whether there is any association between Ureaplasma spp. in the placenta and adverse maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. iiiABSTRACTBackground The Eastern Cape province is known for its high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. Studies from other countries indicate that Ureaplasmaspp. have been associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The prevalenceof Ureaplasmaurealyticum,UreaplasmaparvumandMycoplasmahominisin the placenta andits role in preterm birth is unknown in South Africa. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (i) analyze placental histology, maternal and neonatal outcomes and clinical presentation of preterm birth, (ii) detect Ureaplasmaspp. and M. hominisin the placenta from cases of preterm birth, (iii) determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasmaspp. isolates and investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, (iv) characterize the microbial diversity in the placenta using 16S rRNA next generation sequencing and(v) review pathologies to ascertain whether there is any association between Ureaplasmaspp. inthe placenta and adverse maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. MethodsPlacentas were collected from patients presenting with preterm birth (n=100; 28-34 weeks gestational age) and term birth (n=20; >38 weeks) regardless of the APGAR score. Placentas were submitted for histopathology and used for detection of Ureaplasmaspp. by culture (U9 broth, MycoDuo kits;BioRad) and PCR (DNA was extracted from culture and homogenized placental tissue). Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasmaspp isolates were determined by the SIR Antibiogram kit (BioRad) and microbroth dilution method. Molecular mechanisms of resistance were ascertained by PCR amplification of target genes. Placentas were sent to National Health Laboratory Servicesfor routine histopathology. Next generation sequencing was performed on 16S rRNA amplicons from placental DNA for analysis of microbial diversity. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Journalsim and Media Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Sprong, Kaitlin Elizabeth
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54128 , vital:46310
- Description: The Eastern Cape province is known for its high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. Studies from other countries indicate that Ureaplasma spp. have been associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvumand Mycoplasma hominisin the placenta and its role in preterm birth is unknown in South Africa. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (i) analyze placental histology, maternal and neonatal outcomes and clinical presentation of preterm birth, (ii) detect Ureaplasma spp. and M. hominisin the placenta from cases of preterm birth, (iii) determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasma spp. isolates and investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, (iv) characterize the microbial diversity in the placenta using 16S rRNA next generation sequencing and(v) review pathologies to ascertain whether there is any association between Ureaplasma spp. in the placenta and adverse maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. iiiABSTRACTBackground The Eastern Cape province is known for its high perinatal morbidity and mortality rate. Studies from other countries indicate that Ureaplasmaspp. have been associated with clinical chorioamnionitis, spontaneous preterm labor and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes. The prevalenceof Ureaplasmaurealyticum,UreaplasmaparvumandMycoplasmahominisin the placenta andits role in preterm birth is unknown in South Africa. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: (i) analyze placental histology, maternal and neonatal outcomes and clinical presentation of preterm birth, (ii) detect Ureaplasmaspp. and M. hominisin the placenta from cases of preterm birth, (iii) determine antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasmaspp. isolates and investigate mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, (iv) characterize the microbial diversity in the placenta using 16S rRNA next generation sequencing and(v) review pathologies to ascertain whether there is any association between Ureaplasmaspp. inthe placenta and adverse maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. MethodsPlacentas were collected from patients presenting with preterm birth (n=100; 28-34 weeks gestational age) and term birth (n=20; >38 weeks) regardless of the APGAR score. Placentas were submitted for histopathology and used for detection of Ureaplasmaspp. by culture (U9 broth, MycoDuo kits;BioRad) and PCR (DNA was extracted from culture and homogenized placental tissue). Antibiotic susceptibility profiles of Ureaplasmaspp isolates were determined by the SIR Antibiogram kit (BioRad) and microbroth dilution method. Molecular mechanisms of resistance were ascertained by PCR amplification of target genes. Placentas were sent to National Health Laboratory Servicesfor routine histopathology. Next generation sequencing was performed on 16S rRNA amplicons from placental DNA for analysis of microbial diversity. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Journalsim and Media Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Fiscal consolidation framework: tax compliance and behavioural response in the South African context
- Authors: Tshabalala, Nomonde
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52993 , vital:44897
- Description: Recent unfavourable macroeconomic and socio-economic conditions have placed South Africa’s economy in a difficult fiscal situation with rapidly growing public debt and large government deficits. South Africa’s government expenditure cuts and tax hikes have not achieved the goal of Public debt reduction and economic growth has been shrinking, recorded to have shrunk by an annualised 0.6% in 2019. Fiscal policy is a mix of government spending and tax and this study reviewed the tax side of fiscal policy and its effectiveness in reducing government debt, the study further explored the behavioural factors that influence taxpayers’ decisions to comply with tax and the strategies that can be used to increase compliance and improve tax administration and collection by the South African Revenue Services (SARS). This study employed the ordered logistic model to compare the behaviour of South African citizens towards tax compliance and tax evasion. findings revealed that the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviour of South African citizens have generally shifted from a society that values tax compliance to a nation that justifies cheating on taxes. The main behavioural factors that shape perception and behaviour towards tax compliance and tax evasion were found to be amongst others demographic factors such as age, level of education, employment status, social class, income level, and ethnic group. In addition to demographic factors, the level of confidence and patriotism have proved to be important variables that shape taxpayers’ compliance decision. Regarding the aforementioned variables, the study found that the level of confidence in the government has significantly reduced as well as the degree of patriotism. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Fiscal consolidation framework: tax compliance and behavioural response in the South African context
- Authors: Tshabalala, Nomonde
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52993 , vital:44897
- Description: Recent unfavourable macroeconomic and socio-economic conditions have placed South Africa’s economy in a difficult fiscal situation with rapidly growing public debt and large government deficits. South Africa’s government expenditure cuts and tax hikes have not achieved the goal of Public debt reduction and economic growth has been shrinking, recorded to have shrunk by an annualised 0.6% in 2019. Fiscal policy is a mix of government spending and tax and this study reviewed the tax side of fiscal policy and its effectiveness in reducing government debt, the study further explored the behavioural factors that influence taxpayers’ decisions to comply with tax and the strategies that can be used to increase compliance and improve tax administration and collection by the South African Revenue Services (SARS). This study employed the ordered logistic model to compare the behaviour of South African citizens towards tax compliance and tax evasion. findings revealed that the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviour of South African citizens have generally shifted from a society that values tax compliance to a nation that justifies cheating on taxes. The main behavioural factors that shape perception and behaviour towards tax compliance and tax evasion were found to be amongst others demographic factors such as age, level of education, employment status, social class, income level, and ethnic group. In addition to demographic factors, the level of confidence and patriotism have proved to be important variables that shape taxpayers’ compliance decision. Regarding the aforementioned variables, the study found that the level of confidence in the government has significantly reduced as well as the degree of patriotism. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The use of a rapid incineration field test for determining soil organic carbon in the Southern Cape Region
- Authors: Ackhurst, Albert Arthur
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53336 , vital:45135
- Description: Knowledge of soil organic carbon levels is important both for agricultural effectiveness and soil carbon sequestration accounting, especially against the backdrop of increased climate change impacts and pressure on food production landscapes. However, current methods for soil carbon determination are expensive, energy intensive, time consuming and potentially hazardous leading to a call for alternative methods, which should be cheap, fast, simple, accurate, safe and usable where resources and soil analysis laboratories are limited. To this end the student invented a novel rapid incineration field test (RIFT) for determining soil organic carbon and tested its validity in this study. This method incorporates principles found in dry combustion as well as loss-on-ignition and quantifying organic carbon through gravimetric analysis. In order to illustrate effectiveness and accuracy it was necessary to correlate RIFT with a reference method, in this instance dry combustion with a Leco device as well as another commonly used indirect method namely the Walkley-Black wet chemical oxidation method. Samples from eleven soil forms were collected from the Southern Cape region and they were subjected to the three testing methods. It was found that RIFT is indeed as effective and in 72% of the soil forms even more effective than Walkley-Black. Furthermore, it was ascertained whether the accuracy of RIFT can be improved by correcting for clay content. The correlation of RIFT with clay % was not very significant and clay % as a variable was therefore not used in this study to obtain further refinement of RIFT predictions. Another finding was also that RIFT illustrated less variability than both the Leco and Walkley-Black methods. Lastly it was ascertained that the RIFT device and methodology is indeed cost effective, energy efficient, fast and safe in terms of the need to use potentially hazardous chemicals. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-12
- Authors: Ackhurst, Albert Arthur
- Date: 2014-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53336 , vital:45135
- Description: Knowledge of soil organic carbon levels is important both for agricultural effectiveness and soil carbon sequestration accounting, especially against the backdrop of increased climate change impacts and pressure on food production landscapes. However, current methods for soil carbon determination are expensive, energy intensive, time consuming and potentially hazardous leading to a call for alternative methods, which should be cheap, fast, simple, accurate, safe and usable where resources and soil analysis laboratories are limited. To this end the student invented a novel rapid incineration field test (RIFT) for determining soil organic carbon and tested its validity in this study. This method incorporates principles found in dry combustion as well as loss-on-ignition and quantifying organic carbon through gravimetric analysis. In order to illustrate effectiveness and accuracy it was necessary to correlate RIFT with a reference method, in this instance dry combustion with a Leco device as well as another commonly used indirect method namely the Walkley-Black wet chemical oxidation method. Samples from eleven soil forms were collected from the Southern Cape region and they were subjected to the three testing methods. It was found that RIFT is indeed as effective and in 72% of the soil forms even more effective than Walkley-Black. Furthermore, it was ascertained whether the accuracy of RIFT can be improved by correcting for clay content. The correlation of RIFT with clay % was not very significant and clay % as a variable was therefore not used in this study to obtain further refinement of RIFT predictions. Another finding was also that RIFT illustrated less variability than both the Leco and Walkley-Black methods. Lastly it was ascertained that the RIFT device and methodology is indeed cost effective, energy efficient, fast and safe in terms of the need to use potentially hazardous chemicals. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014-12
Perceptions of Nelson Mandela University social sciences post-graduate students on the decolonization of the social sciences modules
- Authors: Manduluka, Lubabalo
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54481 , vital:46603
- Description: This research project is motivated by the students 2015-2016 higher education student protest that called for the decolonization of higher education institutions. It is widely accepted that for university module to serve students properly, it should be relevant to students it should be and must be localised. The research study considered the perceptions of post-graduate students on the decolonization of social sciences modules from the Nelson Mandela University. The objectives of the study are as follows: to investigate the perception of post-graduate students based within the School of Social Sciences on the decolonization of the social sciences modules at the Nelson Mandela University at South campus. To come up with recommendations with the view of addressing some to the challenges faced by tertiary institutions on decolonization of the social sciences modules at the Nelson Mandela University. The geographical area of the university is Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth, Summerstrand, and the study was done on the south campus of the Nelson Mandela University. This study attempts to shed some light on the decolonization and Africanization of the modules through the lenses of post-graduate students. Literature is utilized to get a broader understanding of the concept of decolonization. The study also suggests how the university curriculum can be Africanized so that it can be more inclusive to African students and more relevant to African students. Interviews with post-graduate students are used as guideline to get a better understanding of how the modules affect them and the solutions to their concerns emerging from colonized modules. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Manduluka, Lubabalo
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54481 , vital:46603
- Description: This research project is motivated by the students 2015-2016 higher education student protest that called for the decolonization of higher education institutions. It is widely accepted that for university module to serve students properly, it should be relevant to students it should be and must be localised. The research study considered the perceptions of post-graduate students on the decolonization of social sciences modules from the Nelson Mandela University. The objectives of the study are as follows: to investigate the perception of post-graduate students based within the School of Social Sciences on the decolonization of the social sciences modules at the Nelson Mandela University at South campus. To come up with recommendations with the view of addressing some to the challenges faced by tertiary institutions on decolonization of the social sciences modules at the Nelson Mandela University. The geographical area of the university is Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth, Summerstrand, and the study was done on the south campus of the Nelson Mandela University. This study attempts to shed some light on the decolonization and Africanization of the modules through the lenses of post-graduate students. Literature is utilized to get a broader understanding of the concept of decolonization. The study also suggests how the university curriculum can be Africanized so that it can be more inclusive to African students and more relevant to African students. Interviews with post-graduate students are used as guideline to get a better understanding of how the modules affect them and the solutions to their concerns emerging from colonized modules. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Conflict management and transformation within the Evangelical Bible Church of Kwazulu-Natal
- Authors: Mentor, Kurt Raymond
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54870 , vital:48327
- Description: The following treatise is an analysis of conflict management within the Evangelical Bible Church of KwaZulu-Natal (EBC KZN). It focuses on the effectiveness of the management of conflict within the churches of EBC KZN. Over the years, many churches have avoided conflict and conflict management has never been a popular topic in the church. This may be because the church mostly relies on wisdom from God to handle conflict, with few attempts made to learn more about how to handle conflict effectively. A common approach is for the church to wait until conflict builds to a certain level before attempting to resolve it. Many conflicts have spiralled out of control by the time the church responds to issues. Thus, the church needs to address conflict proactively, rather than reactively. In order for the church to be more successful in resolving conflict, the leadership needs to take time to develop effective skills in conflict resolution. This is a proactive way of resolving conflict. This treatise explores the challenges pastors‟ face that inhibits their full potential to manage conflict. It describes the role of the pastors in the process of conflict management among the churches of EBC KZN, investigates the importance of effective conflict management in preventing further conflict, and explores ways of improving the skills of the pastors in conflict management. Like most churches, EBC KZN and its pastors have been called upon to deal with conflict disputes within local churches. Therefore, the researcher worked in partnership with seven pastors of EBC KZN using an analytical approach to explore the management of conflict among their churches. This study made use of qualitative methods of conducting interviews with the seven participants on conflict management in the church. The research revealed that conflict management in EBC KZN is ineffective because of a number of factors; including the lack of training of the pastors in conflict management and comprehensive church guidelines and policies to manage conflict. The researcher recommends that further research be done among the churches and for a proper policy of conflict management to be drawn up. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Mentor, Kurt Raymond
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54870 , vital:48327
- Description: The following treatise is an analysis of conflict management within the Evangelical Bible Church of KwaZulu-Natal (EBC KZN). It focuses on the effectiveness of the management of conflict within the churches of EBC KZN. Over the years, many churches have avoided conflict and conflict management has never been a popular topic in the church. This may be because the church mostly relies on wisdom from God to handle conflict, with few attempts made to learn more about how to handle conflict effectively. A common approach is for the church to wait until conflict builds to a certain level before attempting to resolve it. Many conflicts have spiralled out of control by the time the church responds to issues. Thus, the church needs to address conflict proactively, rather than reactively. In order for the church to be more successful in resolving conflict, the leadership needs to take time to develop effective skills in conflict resolution. This is a proactive way of resolving conflict. This treatise explores the challenges pastors‟ face that inhibits their full potential to manage conflict. It describes the role of the pastors in the process of conflict management among the churches of EBC KZN, investigates the importance of effective conflict management in preventing further conflict, and explores ways of improving the skills of the pastors in conflict management. Like most churches, EBC KZN and its pastors have been called upon to deal with conflict disputes within local churches. Therefore, the researcher worked in partnership with seven pastors of EBC KZN using an analytical approach to explore the management of conflict among their churches. This study made use of qualitative methods of conducting interviews with the seven participants on conflict management in the church. The research revealed that conflict management in EBC KZN is ineffective because of a number of factors; including the lack of training of the pastors in conflict management and comprehensive church guidelines and policies to manage conflict. The researcher recommends that further research be done among the churches and for a proper policy of conflict management to be drawn up. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Factors influencing rentention of academic staff at South African higher education institutions
- Authors: Maphiri, Thabiso
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54739 , vital:47653
- Description: The study investigated the factors influencing retention of academic staff at South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The Job Embeddedness theory and Herzberg’s theory on retention were used to explore the retention of employees with special focus on the challenges and strategies of enhancing retention. The study adopted desktop research to explore the retention of academic staff in HEIs. This study discussed the challenges and factors influencing staff retention in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges (TVETs) in South Africa. The findings of the study revealed that the challenges that impede staff retention include a lack of capacity; massification of tertiary education; transformation of higher education; redressing historical imbalances; staff turnover; a lack of mentoring and coaching; and the impossibility to satisfy everyone’s needs. The study identified strategies that can be adopted to enhance staff retention that focus on remuneration and compensation; professional development; workplace climate; appointments and promotions; institutional governance; institutional infrastructure and adaptation to change. Factors that contribute to effective staff retention were also identified as organisational culture; the rewards system; mentoring and development programmes; retention tracking, recruitment; selection; the life cycle of an employee; onboarding; performance management systems, career management, bureaucratic organisational structures; and effective support from Deans and Vice-Chancellors. Lastly, the study recommended the following on how HEIs can retain their academic staff: career advancement opportunities to boost morale and loyalty of the staff; mentoring and coaching provided to the junior staff by the senior staff; job satisfaction through the provision of remuneration and rewarding performance; and implementing sound performance management and appraisal systems. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Maphiri, Thabiso
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54739 , vital:47653
- Description: The study investigated the factors influencing retention of academic staff at South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The Job Embeddedness theory and Herzberg’s theory on retention were used to explore the retention of employees with special focus on the challenges and strategies of enhancing retention. The study adopted desktop research to explore the retention of academic staff in HEIs. This study discussed the challenges and factors influencing staff retention in universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges (TVETs) in South Africa. The findings of the study revealed that the challenges that impede staff retention include a lack of capacity; massification of tertiary education; transformation of higher education; redressing historical imbalances; staff turnover; a lack of mentoring and coaching; and the impossibility to satisfy everyone’s needs. The study identified strategies that can be adopted to enhance staff retention that focus on remuneration and compensation; professional development; workplace climate; appointments and promotions; institutional governance; institutional infrastructure and adaptation to change. Factors that contribute to effective staff retention were also identified as organisational culture; the rewards system; mentoring and development programmes; retention tracking, recruitment; selection; the life cycle of an employee; onboarding; performance management systems, career management, bureaucratic organisational structures; and effective support from Deans and Vice-Chancellors. Lastly, the study recommended the following on how HEIs can retain their academic staff: career advancement opportunities to boost morale and loyalty of the staff; mentoring and coaching provided to the junior staff by the senior staff; job satisfaction through the provision of remuneration and rewarding performance; and implementing sound performance management and appraisal systems. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Applying a systems analysis approach to support marine spatial planning in Algoa Bay, South Africa
- Authors: Vermeulen, Estee Ann
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54121 , vital:46312
- Description: Ocean health provides the foundation for human health through the provisioning of ecosystem services. Increasing demands on ocean space and resources are, however, resulting in a decline in ocean health, with direct and indirect knock-on effects on marine uses and ultimately on human health. In response, there is a growing need to acknowledge and better manage complex human-ocean interactions. This has been recognised in global sustainable development goals and in integrated ocean management processes, leading to widespread endorsement of an ecosystem-based marine spatial planning (MSP) process, including in South Africa. In support of the national MSP process, significant progress has been made in understanding the spatial extent of marine activities and associated marine pressures, but the temporal dynamics of marine activities and interconnections with the marine environment are less well understood. To plan for the growth of marine activities and associated user conflicts, the drivers of these temporal dynamics and associated feedback effects need to be analysed and potential policy and management interventions identified and tested. To support South Africa’s national MSP process, this study adopts a systems analysis approach, using system dynamics modelling, to explore the temporal change in marine uses under alternative growth scenarios in Algoa Bay. Algoa Bay is an appropriate study area because it is experiencing a rapid expansion of marine activities, coupled with a growing uncertainty regarding marine sustainability outcomes. To assist future marine management decisions, the Algoa Marine Systems Analysis Tool (Algoa MSAT) was developed, comprising seven sub-models. Five of the sub-models represent selected marine uses in Algoa Bay, whereas the sixth and seventh integrate the outputs from each marine use in terms of sustainable management indicators (marine health, marine wealth and marine labour). Model development primarily adopted an expert-based model ling approach, although the involvement of stakeholders, through a collaborative modelling process, assisted in integrating knowledge on different marine sectors’ activities, impacts and planning visions into the model framework. Model results were generated under different scenarios to investigate changes in the growth of marine activities and marine sustainability indicators under different levels of ocean governance. Under the baseline (or business-as-usual) model scenario, marine activities were shown to grow increasingly within their respective management limits, with an increase in marine wealth and labour and a consequential decrease in marine health. This scenario particularly highlights that current ocean governance practices are ineffective in sustaining the projected growth of the marine uses, particularly for those that are vulnerable to negative changes in marine health. Conversely, sectors that hold more value in marine wealth and are more resilient to changes in marine health, may continue to grow regardless of negative knock-on effects of the health of the marine environment and on other uses in the bay. This emphasises that an alternative governance strategy is needed to achieve the long-term goal of an ecosystem-based MSP process, as required by South African MSP legislation. To achieve this will require multiple, adaptive cross-sectoral management interventions that are directed towards the ‘deeper leverage points’ that are able to maintain the growth of marine activities within appropriate limits defined by marine health. Using the model interface developed in this project, decision-makers and stakeholders can use the model to explore the temporal dynamics in marine activities under different governance scenarios. Although the model is limited to Algoa Bay, the model boundary can be adapted to assist in marine planning processes at national or trans-national scales. Such analytical assessments and tools are critical to progress the ecosystem-based management approach in MSP, as is required to achieve global sustainable development goals. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Coastal and Marine Research Unit, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Vermeulen, Estee Ann
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54121 , vital:46312
- Description: Ocean health provides the foundation for human health through the provisioning of ecosystem services. Increasing demands on ocean space and resources are, however, resulting in a decline in ocean health, with direct and indirect knock-on effects on marine uses and ultimately on human health. In response, there is a growing need to acknowledge and better manage complex human-ocean interactions. This has been recognised in global sustainable development goals and in integrated ocean management processes, leading to widespread endorsement of an ecosystem-based marine spatial planning (MSP) process, including in South Africa. In support of the national MSP process, significant progress has been made in understanding the spatial extent of marine activities and associated marine pressures, but the temporal dynamics of marine activities and interconnections with the marine environment are less well understood. To plan for the growth of marine activities and associated user conflicts, the drivers of these temporal dynamics and associated feedback effects need to be analysed and potential policy and management interventions identified and tested. To support South Africa’s national MSP process, this study adopts a systems analysis approach, using system dynamics modelling, to explore the temporal change in marine uses under alternative growth scenarios in Algoa Bay. Algoa Bay is an appropriate study area because it is experiencing a rapid expansion of marine activities, coupled with a growing uncertainty regarding marine sustainability outcomes. To assist future marine management decisions, the Algoa Marine Systems Analysis Tool (Algoa MSAT) was developed, comprising seven sub-models. Five of the sub-models represent selected marine uses in Algoa Bay, whereas the sixth and seventh integrate the outputs from each marine use in terms of sustainable management indicators (marine health, marine wealth and marine labour). Model development primarily adopted an expert-based model ling approach, although the involvement of stakeholders, through a collaborative modelling process, assisted in integrating knowledge on different marine sectors’ activities, impacts and planning visions into the model framework. Model results were generated under different scenarios to investigate changes in the growth of marine activities and marine sustainability indicators under different levels of ocean governance. Under the baseline (or business-as-usual) model scenario, marine activities were shown to grow increasingly within their respective management limits, with an increase in marine wealth and labour and a consequential decrease in marine health. This scenario particularly highlights that current ocean governance practices are ineffective in sustaining the projected growth of the marine uses, particularly for those that are vulnerable to negative changes in marine health. Conversely, sectors that hold more value in marine wealth and are more resilient to changes in marine health, may continue to grow regardless of negative knock-on effects of the health of the marine environment and on other uses in the bay. This emphasises that an alternative governance strategy is needed to achieve the long-term goal of an ecosystem-based MSP process, as required by South African MSP legislation. To achieve this will require multiple, adaptive cross-sectoral management interventions that are directed towards the ‘deeper leverage points’ that are able to maintain the growth of marine activities within appropriate limits defined by marine health. Using the model interface developed in this project, decision-makers and stakeholders can use the model to explore the temporal dynamics in marine activities under different governance scenarios. Although the model is limited to Algoa Bay, the model boundary can be adapted to assist in marine planning processes at national or trans-national scales. Such analytical assessments and tools are critical to progress the ecosystem-based management approach in MSP, as is required to achieve global sustainable development goals. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Coastal and Marine Research Unit, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Impact of feeding milk once-a-day on growth and development of jersey calves
- Authors: Myburgh, Albertus Petrus
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Calves--Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52095 , vital:43438
- Description: In conventional calf rearing systems calves are fed milk twice a day. Calves are normally housed in a calf shed, kept in individual pens or in groups. The goal should be to limit mor-talities to less than 5% from birth to 30 days. This can be achieved by reducing animal stress, controlling diseases and feeding the animals properly. The immune function can be de-pressed by inadequate nutrition which will increase susceptibility to diseases. Key objective on a dairy farm should be to rear a healthy calf until the calf reaches the optimum mating weight. Digestive disorders and respiratory diseases are the main causes of mortalities of young calves. Jersey calves at Outeniqua Research Farm are kept in movable hutches out-side, for 8 weeks and whole milk is fed only once a day. Although it is common practice to feed milk to calves twice-a-day, Jersey calves are raised with great success by feeding whole milk once-a-day, but proven data was never collected to indicate that feeding whole milk to Jersey calves does not compromise growth or development of calves. Much research was done on feeding of milk to Holstein calves, but little was done on Jersey calves. Research also shows results on feeding of milk replacer rather than whole milk. This raised the question of can whole milk be fed once-a-day successfully to Jersey calves with-out compromising growth and development and what are the advantages of feeding whole milk once-a-day to Jersey calves? , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Myburgh, Albertus Petrus
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Calves--Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52095 , vital:43438
- Description: In conventional calf rearing systems calves are fed milk twice a day. Calves are normally housed in a calf shed, kept in individual pens or in groups. The goal should be to limit mor-talities to less than 5% from birth to 30 days. This can be achieved by reducing animal stress, controlling diseases and feeding the animals properly. The immune function can be de-pressed by inadequate nutrition which will increase susceptibility to diseases. Key objective on a dairy farm should be to rear a healthy calf until the calf reaches the optimum mating weight. Digestive disorders and respiratory diseases are the main causes of mortalities of young calves. Jersey calves at Outeniqua Research Farm are kept in movable hutches out-side, for 8 weeks and whole milk is fed only once a day. Although it is common practice to feed milk to calves twice-a-day, Jersey calves are raised with great success by feeding whole milk once-a-day, but proven data was never collected to indicate that feeding whole milk to Jersey calves does not compromise growth or development of calves. Much research was done on feeding of milk to Holstein calves, but little was done on Jersey calves. Research also shows results on feeding of milk replacer rather than whole milk. This raised the question of can whole milk be fed once-a-day successfully to Jersey calves with-out compromising growth and development and what are the advantages of feeding whole milk once-a-day to Jersey calves? , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Participatory mapping of cultural ecosystem services in the Mountain Zebra National Park, South Africa
- Authors: Mpapane, Nelsiwe Pertunia
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Nature--Effect of human beings on--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52103 , vital:43432
- Description: Cultural ecosystem services (CES) are an essential part of human well-being. CES characterize the intangible connections that people have with their surrounding environments, and act as vessels to facilitate the understanding of meaningful and respectful relationships between humans and nature, which are necessary for sustainability. However, CES render themselves as complex cultural dimensions that are difficult to connect to specific aspects of an ecosystem, or to measure and manage. Thus, a progressive approach is required for promoting effective management of CES within landscapes. This thesis endeavours to understand human─nature interactions in protected areas, the CES benefits that arise from such interactions, and the links of these to ecosystems, facilities or features within the landscape. Protected areas represent some of the last remaining intact ecological areas that support biodiversity conservation and human─nature experiences. Protected areas, such as the Mountain Zebra National Park, are therefore suitable study sites to cast light on: (a) how human─nature relationships manifest in parks, (b) which CES are experienced by visitors, (c) which landscape features are associated with CES benefits, (d) who visits the Park, and (e) how the delivery and/or accessibility of CES to visitors of the Park could be improved. My research involved qualitative and spatial elements as forms of enquiry over a period of six months of data collection. I used semi-structured interviews (n = 20) paired with a participatory mapping approach. Additionally, I performed a comparative analysis using a peer-reviewed paper that focused on the management perspectives of CES delivery, to seek out similarities and differences between management perspectives and actual visitor experiences. The findings of this study have outlined that the Mountain Zebra National Park offers significant benefits to visitors. Aesthetic, recreational, inspirational value and cultural heritage emerged as the most frequently mapped CES. The findings have also shown that CES benefits are widely distributed across the landscape, with a spatial correlation in hotspot areas. Moreover, amenities or built infrastructure such as picnic iii sites, camping areas and viewpoints within the Park, are crucial for strengthening social relationships among family and friends, as well as in aiding the delivery of CES. This study provides insights into the subjective and diverse ways that human─nature relationships translate into CES benefits. It also sheds light on the importance of adequate planning within protected areas, for the maximization of the benefits from CES to people without compromising the mandate of biodiversity conservation. This study also contributes to a growing body of evidence that documents human─nature interactions in, and non-material benefits acquired from, protected areas within South Africa. I further advocate for improved access, adequate infrastructure, awareness creation and strategies to attract the younger generation to the national parks of South Africa. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mpapane, Nelsiwe Pertunia
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Nature--Effect of human beings on--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52103 , vital:43432
- Description: Cultural ecosystem services (CES) are an essential part of human well-being. CES characterize the intangible connections that people have with their surrounding environments, and act as vessels to facilitate the understanding of meaningful and respectful relationships between humans and nature, which are necessary for sustainability. However, CES render themselves as complex cultural dimensions that are difficult to connect to specific aspects of an ecosystem, or to measure and manage. Thus, a progressive approach is required for promoting effective management of CES within landscapes. This thesis endeavours to understand human─nature interactions in protected areas, the CES benefits that arise from such interactions, and the links of these to ecosystems, facilities or features within the landscape. Protected areas represent some of the last remaining intact ecological areas that support biodiversity conservation and human─nature experiences. Protected areas, such as the Mountain Zebra National Park, are therefore suitable study sites to cast light on: (a) how human─nature relationships manifest in parks, (b) which CES are experienced by visitors, (c) which landscape features are associated with CES benefits, (d) who visits the Park, and (e) how the delivery and/or accessibility of CES to visitors of the Park could be improved. My research involved qualitative and spatial elements as forms of enquiry over a period of six months of data collection. I used semi-structured interviews (n = 20) paired with a participatory mapping approach. Additionally, I performed a comparative analysis using a peer-reviewed paper that focused on the management perspectives of CES delivery, to seek out similarities and differences between management perspectives and actual visitor experiences. The findings of this study have outlined that the Mountain Zebra National Park offers significant benefits to visitors. Aesthetic, recreational, inspirational value and cultural heritage emerged as the most frequently mapped CES. The findings have also shown that CES benefits are widely distributed across the landscape, with a spatial correlation in hotspot areas. Moreover, amenities or built infrastructure such as picnic iii sites, camping areas and viewpoints within the Park, are crucial for strengthening social relationships among family and friends, as well as in aiding the delivery of CES. This study provides insights into the subjective and diverse ways that human─nature relationships translate into CES benefits. It also sheds light on the importance of adequate planning within protected areas, for the maximization of the benefits from CES to people without compromising the mandate of biodiversity conservation. This study also contributes to a growing body of evidence that documents human─nature interactions in, and non-material benefits acquired from, protected areas within South Africa. I further advocate for improved access, adequate infrastructure, awareness creation and strategies to attract the younger generation to the national parks of South Africa. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Customer experience: a comparative analysis between the banking and grocery retail sectors
- Authors: Pillay, Deneesha
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53007 , vital:44891
- Description: The notion of customer experience has gained prominence in the field of marketing over the last three decades. It has become a strategic imperative for firms in order to ensure sustained business growth. A positive customer experience not only has the ability to promote customer loyalty but can also assist firms in encouraging brand advocacy. While customer experience has been explored in several contexts, regions and industries, customer experience in South Africa’s banking and grocery retail sectors has not yet been adequately explored. Therefore, this study attempts to provide a comparative analysis of these two sectors and in turn present a model for improving customer experience as a marketing tool. The execution of this study requires a literature review to investigate the field of customer experience. This literature review assisted in developing a conceptual model for customer experience in the attempt of improving customer experience quality. Furthermore, this Treatise pursues a positivistic research approach using quantitative methods of analysis. Factor analysis was conducted using data gathered from an online questionnaire disseminated via e-mail. The sample of this study was selected at random using convenience and snowball sampling. A sample size of n = 858 is used in this study. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were conducted on the data. The primary contribution of this study was the presentation and statistical assessment of an exploratory factor analysis of factors influencing customer experience in South Africa’s grocery retail and banking sectors. This study found that the independent factors of Brand Experience, Service Experience and Post-purchase Experience were all found to have a positive effect on the overall customer experience. In the grocery-retail sector, Post-purchase Experience was found to have a strong positive correlation with customer experience. Brand Experience and Service Experience were strongly correlated with each other as independent factors, but did not demonstrate any practical or statistical significance in relation to the dependent factor, Customer Experience. However, in the banking sector, all of these factors demonstrate positive correlations with Customer Experience that are statistically and practically significant. The model presented in this study identifies the determinants of Customer Experience within both sectors. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Pillay, Deneesha
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53007 , vital:44891
- Description: The notion of customer experience has gained prominence in the field of marketing over the last three decades. It has become a strategic imperative for firms in order to ensure sustained business growth. A positive customer experience not only has the ability to promote customer loyalty but can also assist firms in encouraging brand advocacy. While customer experience has been explored in several contexts, regions and industries, customer experience in South Africa’s banking and grocery retail sectors has not yet been adequately explored. Therefore, this study attempts to provide a comparative analysis of these two sectors and in turn present a model for improving customer experience as a marketing tool. The execution of this study requires a literature review to investigate the field of customer experience. This literature review assisted in developing a conceptual model for customer experience in the attempt of improving customer experience quality. Furthermore, this Treatise pursues a positivistic research approach using quantitative methods of analysis. Factor analysis was conducted using data gathered from an online questionnaire disseminated via e-mail. The sample of this study was selected at random using convenience and snowball sampling. A sample size of n = 858 is used in this study. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were conducted on the data. The primary contribution of this study was the presentation and statistical assessment of an exploratory factor analysis of factors influencing customer experience in South Africa’s grocery retail and banking sectors. This study found that the independent factors of Brand Experience, Service Experience and Post-purchase Experience were all found to have a positive effect on the overall customer experience. In the grocery-retail sector, Post-purchase Experience was found to have a strong positive correlation with customer experience. Brand Experience and Service Experience were strongly correlated with each other as independent factors, but did not demonstrate any practical or statistical significance in relation to the dependent factor, Customer Experience. However, in the banking sector, all of these factors demonstrate positive correlations with Customer Experience that are statistically and practically significant. The model presented in this study identifies the determinants of Customer Experience within both sectors. , Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, NMU Business School, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
Assessing service delivery protests in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality: the case of Walmer Township
- Authors: Mdanyana, Esethu
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54492 , vital:46609
- Description: In many South Africa’s areas, citizen’s frustration with poor or slow service delivery has resulted in a surge of service delivery protests. Some of these service delivery protests are violent in nature, resulting in the damage of public and private property. Therefore, it is imperative to scrutinize service delivery protests. The South African constitution states that municipalities have the responsibility to make sure that all citizens are provided with services to satisfy their basic needs. These services include water supply, sewage collection and disposal electricity, gas supply health services, roads, storm water drainage, street lighting, municipal parks and recreation. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Mdanyana, Esethu
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54492 , vital:46609
- Description: In many South Africa’s areas, citizen’s frustration with poor or slow service delivery has resulted in a surge of service delivery protests. Some of these service delivery protests are violent in nature, resulting in the damage of public and private property. Therefore, it is imperative to scrutinize service delivery protests. The South African constitution states that municipalities have the responsibility to make sure that all citizens are provided with services to satisfy their basic needs. These services include water supply, sewage collection and disposal electricity, gas supply health services, roads, storm water drainage, street lighting, municipal parks and recreation. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-12
Impacts of food security programmes at Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Ngxeba, Zola
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53030 , vital:44875
- Description: Poverty is recognised as one of the greatest challenges faced by developing and the least developed countries. South Africa has been no different with increased levels of poverty which are also inherit from the substantial inequality in the country. Thus, food security programmes have become an innovative way to tackle the issue of poverty across municipalities. Taking a qualitative and quantitative root within the Buffallo City Municipality located in the Eastern Cape, this study evaluated the impact these programmes have on household food security. Through surveys and interviews with participants in the Siyazondla and Siyakhula food programme instituted by department of rural development and agrarian reform (DRDAR) the findings show that beneficiaries benefited heavily from the programmes. Several households reported increased scale of food supply due to programmes such as the gardening projects and inputs within the agricultural process particularly; seeds, fertilizer and equipment neccesary for planting. Thus, conclusively, the outcome of these food security programmes has been positive and it is adviced that the department of rural development and agrarian reform (DRDAR) increase the population of households in the projects offered by the department. Moreover, these projects should be implimented to provide means which could enable communities to continue the projects without need for dependence. This would entail providing individuals with the neccesary skills and education to continue these projects within their households at limited costs. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Ngxeba, Zola
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Masters theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53030 , vital:44875
- Description: Poverty is recognised as one of the greatest challenges faced by developing and the least developed countries. South Africa has been no different with increased levels of poverty which are also inherit from the substantial inequality in the country. Thus, food security programmes have become an innovative way to tackle the issue of poverty across municipalities. Taking a qualitative and quantitative root within the Buffallo City Municipality located in the Eastern Cape, this study evaluated the impact these programmes have on household food security. Through surveys and interviews with participants in the Siyazondla and Siyakhula food programme instituted by department of rural development and agrarian reform (DRDAR) the findings show that beneficiaries benefited heavily from the programmes. Several households reported increased scale of food supply due to programmes such as the gardening projects and inputs within the agricultural process particularly; seeds, fertilizer and equipment neccesary for planting. Thus, conclusively, the outcome of these food security programmes has been positive and it is adviced that the department of rural development and agrarian reform (DRDAR) increase the population of households in the projects offered by the department. Moreover, these projects should be implimented to provide means which could enable communities to continue the projects without need for dependence. This would entail providing individuals with the neccesary skills and education to continue these projects within their households at limited costs. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The relationship between the performance management development system and compensation: the case of the City of Cape Town Municipality
- Authors: Ramaru, Murendeni Praise
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54836 , vital:47926
- Description: This research was directed towards the current state of the relationship between the Performance Management Development System and compensation in the City of Cape Town Municipality. The research approach adopted in this study was a qualitative method. Desktop analysis and case study design were used as secondary data collection tools. Since the democratization of South Africa in 1994, the focus has been directed towards the maximising of economic growth and development. The road to development has been challenging since the inception of democracy. Organisations are operating in a dynamic and highly competitive environment which requires adjustments and development of strategies to remain relevant. Compensation is one of the ways different organisations have adopted as a strategy for attracting and retaining suitable employees as well as maintaining performance management. The essence of a well-functioning performance management development system has played a critical role in providing an effective system in the public service. The main objective of compensation is to ensure an organisation has the right resources necessary to motivate employees’ performance needed to achieve the organisational strategy. The study found that a compensation strategy leads to increased employees’ performance. The findings indicated that there is a positive connection between the compensation strategy and the performance of the employees. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Ramaru, Murendeni Praise
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54836 , vital:47926
- Description: This research was directed towards the current state of the relationship between the Performance Management Development System and compensation in the City of Cape Town Municipality. The research approach adopted in this study was a qualitative method. Desktop analysis and case study design were used as secondary data collection tools. Since the democratization of South Africa in 1994, the focus has been directed towards the maximising of economic growth and development. The road to development has been challenging since the inception of democracy. Organisations are operating in a dynamic and highly competitive environment which requires adjustments and development of strategies to remain relevant. Compensation is one of the ways different organisations have adopted as a strategy for attracting and retaining suitable employees as well as maintaining performance management. The essence of a well-functioning performance management development system has played a critical role in providing an effective system in the public service. The main objective of compensation is to ensure an organisation has the right resources necessary to motivate employees’ performance needed to achieve the organisational strategy. The study found that a compensation strategy leads to increased employees’ performance. The findings indicated that there is a positive connection between the compensation strategy and the performance of the employees. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
A study on staff provisioning using the Peter Morkel Model with reference to a selected school in the Amathole East District
- Authors: Qaba, Loyiso Siyabulela
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55161 , vital:49171
- Description: The Post-Provisioning Model (PPM) is a Resource Allocation Model (RAM) used by the Department of Education to optimize the distribution of available educator resources to public schools. The Department of Education adopted the PPM to distribute the total available posts to all public schools in an “equitable, transparent and resource-efficient manner. The PPM is a formula-driven model that primarily allocates educators, as human capital, to public schools based on learner enrolment numbers. In addition to allocating teaching staff, the PPM allocates the School Management Team (SMT) to each school. The outcome of the PPM formula is called the Post-Provisioning Norm (PPN). The implementation of the PPM has presented various challenges in the management of public schools. The primary aims of this study were to investigate any possible weaknesses of the PPM and to critically evaluate and explore school managers’ views of the PPM in the management of public schools. For the purposes of this study a probability sampling procedure was used. The participants were chosen from the principals within the Department of Education in Amathole East District. The literature review undertaken and the field research findings in the fourth chapter revealed that there is a gap between the ideals of the PPM and its implementation. It was found that there was a poor understanding of the technical aspects of the PPM formula among senior managers of public schools. There is evidence of equitable quantitative distribution of posts through the PPM. However, it was discovered that the PPM does not take into account the distribution of qualified educators. Hence, some of the allocated posts in public schools were often filled by under-qualified or non-qualified staff. The appointment of qualified educators was skewed. Further findings of this study revealed, amongst others, the inability of the PPM to provide for and promote the needs of a diverse curriculum in rural areas, and the inability to factor in and balance the variable that some public schools raise more money in school fees, which enables the advantaged schools to employ additional educators. The primary recommendations of this study are that principals be trained, on an annual basis, on the workings of the PPM and that the South African Schools Act No.84 of 1996 should be amended to grant authority to the Head of Department of the province to appoint and deploy qualified educators to public schools. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
- Authors: Qaba, Loyiso Siyabulela
- Date: 2020-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55161 , vital:49171
- Description: The Post-Provisioning Model (PPM) is a Resource Allocation Model (RAM) used by the Department of Education to optimize the distribution of available educator resources to public schools. The Department of Education adopted the PPM to distribute the total available posts to all public schools in an “equitable, transparent and resource-efficient manner. The PPM is a formula-driven model that primarily allocates educators, as human capital, to public schools based on learner enrolment numbers. In addition to allocating teaching staff, the PPM allocates the School Management Team (SMT) to each school. The outcome of the PPM formula is called the Post-Provisioning Norm (PPN). The implementation of the PPM has presented various challenges in the management of public schools. The primary aims of this study were to investigate any possible weaknesses of the PPM and to critically evaluate and explore school managers’ views of the PPM in the management of public schools. For the purposes of this study a probability sampling procedure was used. The participants were chosen from the principals within the Department of Education in Amathole East District. The literature review undertaken and the field research findings in the fourth chapter revealed that there is a gap between the ideals of the PPM and its implementation. It was found that there was a poor understanding of the technical aspects of the PPM formula among senior managers of public schools. There is evidence of equitable quantitative distribution of posts through the PPM. However, it was discovered that the PPM does not take into account the distribution of qualified educators. Hence, some of the allocated posts in public schools were often filled by under-qualified or non-qualified staff. The appointment of qualified educators was skewed. Further findings of this study revealed, amongst others, the inability of the PPM to provide for and promote the needs of a diverse curriculum in rural areas, and the inability to factor in and balance the variable that some public schools raise more money in school fees, which enables the advantaged schools to employ additional educators. The primary recommendations of this study are that principals be trained, on an annual basis, on the workings of the PPM and that the South African Schools Act No.84 of 1996 should be amended to grant authority to the Head of Department of the province to appoint and deploy qualified educators to public schools. , Thesis (MPA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020-04
Thiazole derivatives as potential hiv-1 protease inhibitors
- Authors: Hlongwe, Zola
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Enzyme kinetics
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52116 , vital:43427
- Description: Series of compounds were screened using Schrodinger suite (Maestro). The DFT calculations were used for geometry optimization of the ligands using the B3YLYP functional and 6-31G basis set, and these structures were used for docking studies. Maestro was used to predict the activity of thiazole derivatives against HIV-1 protease. The range of estimated inhibition constants for these thiazole derivatives (65 nM-5 μM) indicate moderate to weak activity against HIV-1 protease, given that the activity of current protease inhibitors is typically found have experimental inhibition constants around 0.1-2.0 nM. Twenty compounds were selected based on the docking results and they were synthesized and characterized by NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis. The cytotoxicity studies were done at two different concentrations (100 μM and 10 μM), using the brine shrimp bioassay. All compounds were highly toxic at 100 μM, with the percentage mortality between 20 to 75%. Eight compounds were selected for the enzyme bioassay based on the results obtained from lower concentration (10 μM). In the enzyme inhibition studies, the profile of HIV-1 activity was done at different inhibitor concentrations (800 μM – 10 μM) by measuring the cleavage of the synthetic substrate (Abz-Thr-lle-PNO2Phe=Gln-Arg-NH2) at excitation wavelength of 345/490 nm using fluorescence. Ligands 5 (unsubstituted derivative), 7 (4-nitro derivative) and 16 (4-methoxy derivative) gave percentage inhibition of 39, 45 and 42%, and this activity was very low compared to the activity of the positive control ritonavir (85% enzyme inhibition). Ligands 8 (4-methoxy derivative) and 12 (4-methoxy derivative) gave enzyme inhibition of 70% and 75%. These results suggest that the presence of the methoxy substituents ii increases activity of these compounds against HIV-1 protease. Most of the compounds gave good IC50 values between 12.5-42.7 nM. The bromo-substituted ligand 7 gave the lowest IC50 (12.5 nM). Ligand 11 also gave a good IC50 value of 14.86 nM. The bromo-substituted derivatives showed to be very active compared to other types of thiazole derivatives. Enzyme kinetics were carried out to compare the inhibition constants obtained via computational modelling. Ligand 7 (4-methoxy derivatives) binds better in the active site of HIV-1 protease than other compounds in Class B, with Ki = 50 nM, Km = 23.8 Nm and Vmax = 83.3 nM/min. The unsubstituted (L5), 4-bromo (L7) and 4-nitro (L8) substituted compounds gave inhibition constants of 100 to 112 nM. The in vitro testing yielded higher activity than that determined in silico. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Hlongwe, Zola
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Gqeberha (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , Enzyme kinetics
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52116 , vital:43427
- Description: Series of compounds were screened using Schrodinger suite (Maestro). The DFT calculations were used for geometry optimization of the ligands using the B3YLYP functional and 6-31G basis set, and these structures were used for docking studies. Maestro was used to predict the activity of thiazole derivatives against HIV-1 protease. The range of estimated inhibition constants for these thiazole derivatives (65 nM-5 μM) indicate moderate to weak activity against HIV-1 protease, given that the activity of current protease inhibitors is typically found have experimental inhibition constants around 0.1-2.0 nM. Twenty compounds were selected based on the docking results and they were synthesized and characterized by NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis. The cytotoxicity studies were done at two different concentrations (100 μM and 10 μM), using the brine shrimp bioassay. All compounds were highly toxic at 100 μM, with the percentage mortality between 20 to 75%. Eight compounds were selected for the enzyme bioassay based on the results obtained from lower concentration (10 μM). In the enzyme inhibition studies, the profile of HIV-1 activity was done at different inhibitor concentrations (800 μM – 10 μM) by measuring the cleavage of the synthetic substrate (Abz-Thr-lle-PNO2Phe=Gln-Arg-NH2) at excitation wavelength of 345/490 nm using fluorescence. Ligands 5 (unsubstituted derivative), 7 (4-nitro derivative) and 16 (4-methoxy derivative) gave percentage inhibition of 39, 45 and 42%, and this activity was very low compared to the activity of the positive control ritonavir (85% enzyme inhibition). Ligands 8 (4-methoxy derivative) and 12 (4-methoxy derivative) gave enzyme inhibition of 70% and 75%. These results suggest that the presence of the methoxy substituents ii increases activity of these compounds against HIV-1 protease. Most of the compounds gave good IC50 values between 12.5-42.7 nM. The bromo-substituted ligand 7 gave the lowest IC50 (12.5 nM). Ligand 11 also gave a good IC50 value of 14.86 nM. The bromo-substituted derivatives showed to be very active compared to other types of thiazole derivatives. Enzyme kinetics were carried out to compare the inhibition constants obtained via computational modelling. Ligand 7 (4-methoxy derivatives) binds better in the active site of HIV-1 protease than other compounds in Class B, with Ki = 50 nM, Km = 23.8 Nm and Vmax = 83.3 nM/min. The unsubstituted (L5), 4-bromo (L7) and 4-nitro (L8) substituted compounds gave inhibition constants of 100 to 112 nM. The in vitro testing yielded higher activity than that determined in silico. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 2021
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2021-04
The use of psychometric test systems as a pre-selection tool for identifying successful harvesting machine operators
- Authors: Schwegman, Kylle
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55246 , vital:51102
- Description: A shift towards fully mechanized forest activities, such as harvesting and, more recently, silviculture, has occurred from the early 2 000’s. The reason for mechanizing these activities differs for each country, although for most countries there is concern relating to the health and safety of forest workers. With mechanization in harvesting, the forest worker has moved away from the physical intensity of having to fell, debranch, debark and cross-cut trees into logs using either an axe or chainsaw, to operating a machine. Studies revolving around the human element (operator) have been conducted specifically relating to the ergonomics of the machines and how operators may influence machine productivity. Results showed that due to the repetitive nature of the work, the operators are exposed to associated stresses for longer periods. Typical injuries associated to these kinds of stressors are whole body vibrations (WBVs), repetitive hand and arm movements, non-neutral body postures and manual lifting, which lead to musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower back, neck and shoulders. However, as machine technology improves so does the ergonomic conditions which are experienced by machine operators. Machine productivity can be influenced by various factors, with the most influential being tree volume. However, a recent study showed that over 40% of variation in machine productivity has been observed amongst different machine operators operating similar machines. The specific reason for these differences has yet to be determined. However, decision making, motivation, planning capacity, concentration, memory, motor coordination, pattern recognition, logic reasoning, and spatial perception are abilities that have been described as important for successful harvesting work. The pre-selection of operators using psychometric and cognitive tests is not new to forestry, although very little information is available relating to the aptitude test known as the Vienna test system as well as the best possible demographic associated with successful harvesting operators. The overall aim of this study was to determine whether the high variation found amongst harvesting machine operators could be reduced initially through a preselection process which involves the use of aptitude tests (Vienna Test System) and demographic questionnaires. A study was implemented in Zululand, South Africa, testing whether there were significant productivity differences between nine machine operators. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Schwegman, Kylle
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/55246 , vital:51102
- Description: A shift towards fully mechanized forest activities, such as harvesting and, more recently, silviculture, has occurred from the early 2 000’s. The reason for mechanizing these activities differs for each country, although for most countries there is concern relating to the health and safety of forest workers. With mechanization in harvesting, the forest worker has moved away from the physical intensity of having to fell, debranch, debark and cross-cut trees into logs using either an axe or chainsaw, to operating a machine. Studies revolving around the human element (operator) have been conducted specifically relating to the ergonomics of the machines and how operators may influence machine productivity. Results showed that due to the repetitive nature of the work, the operators are exposed to associated stresses for longer periods. Typical injuries associated to these kinds of stressors are whole body vibrations (WBVs), repetitive hand and arm movements, non-neutral body postures and manual lifting, which lead to musculoskeletal symptoms in the lower back, neck and shoulders. However, as machine technology improves so does the ergonomic conditions which are experienced by machine operators. Machine productivity can be influenced by various factors, with the most influential being tree volume. However, a recent study showed that over 40% of variation in machine productivity has been observed amongst different machine operators operating similar machines. The specific reason for these differences has yet to be determined. However, decision making, motivation, planning capacity, concentration, memory, motor coordination, pattern recognition, logic reasoning, and spatial perception are abilities that have been described as important for successful harvesting work. The pre-selection of operators using psychometric and cognitive tests is not new to forestry, although very little information is available relating to the aptitude test known as the Vienna test system as well as the best possible demographic associated with successful harvesting operators. The overall aim of this study was to determine whether the high variation found amongst harvesting machine operators could be reduced initially through a preselection process which involves the use of aptitude tests (Vienna Test System) and demographic questionnaires. A study was implemented in Zululand, South Africa, testing whether there were significant productivity differences between nine machine operators. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Management, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
Main thesis title 2021: subtitle if needed. If no subtitle follow instructions in manual
- Last name, First name (remember to update the ORCID)
- Authors: Last name, First name (remember to update the ORCID)
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52791 , vital:44031
- Description: Abstract text. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalsim and Media Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Last name, First name (remember to update the ORCID)
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Grahamstown (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's/Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/52791 , vital:44031
- Description: Abstract text. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Journalsim and Media Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
Ocean structures and dynamics of two open bays on the eastern Agulhas Bank
- Authors: Dlomo, Xolisa
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53607 , vital:45680
- Description: Upwelling, bay-scale currents, fronts and mixing in Algoa Bay and St Francis Bay occur over both short and long time periods. These physical ocean dynamics drive the temporal and spatial distribution of nutrients in the bays, there by influencing primary and secondary production. Thermal gradients and fronts are driven by the wind and open ocean influences, such as the Agulhas Current, daily and seasonal variations in solar radiation, long and short period waves, air-sea fluxes, coastal trapped waves and terrestrial freshwater inflow. These phenomena are poorly understood along this part of the coastline and were the focus of this study. I investigated the dominant temperature scales of variability in both bays, to determine which isotherm is best suited to describe temperature fluctuations and thermocline spatiotemporal variability in and between the two bays. I investigated upwelling spatiotemporal variability in the two bays and tested whether upwelling occurs at the opposite sides of the bays with a change in wind direction. Thereafter studied the occurrence and drivers of winter upwelling events. The wind-driven current spatiotemporal variability and correlations were investigated at the extremities of the two bays. The daily, intra-seasonal and yearly variation in temperature structures in Algoa Bay and St. Francis Bay were mainly driven by the local winds, coastal topography, and bathymetry. The most suitable isotherm to describe thermal fluctuations and variability in Algoa Bay shallower sites was 16.5 °C and its mean depth was 16.2 m. The best isotherm for the deeper sites in Algoa Bay was 15.7 °C with a depth of 33.1 m. The average temperature and depth of the best isotherm to describe thermal fluctuations in St. Francis Bay for the shallower sites was15.80 °C and 16.83 m, and for the deeper sites it was 15.10 °C and 32.08 m. Algoa Bay showed an average cooling trend of -0.000172 °C per year, whereas in St. Francis Bay a warming average trend of 0.0188 °C per year was observed over the study period often and six years, respectively. The wind, Coriolis Effect and Ekman Transport were the main external forces that influenced upwelling throughout the year. Since the available mesoscale indices for upwelling intensity lack the resolution needed to characterize and compare inner-shelf upwelling regimes at small spatial scales, I developed a new local, quantitative index of thermal variability. Index calculations were based on hourly records of in site depth-averaged temperatures, measured at 6 sites in St. Francis Bay and at 8 sites in Algoa Bay. Using the Multivariate Upwelling Zone Index of Cooling (MUZIC) I found that Woody Cape and Blue Horizon Bay had the highest upwelling intensity in Algoa Bay and St. Francis Bay, respectively. The other sites were ordinated and ranked according to their upwelling rates and intensity. Evidence of wind-driven winter upwelling was found to be a common occurrence in both bays. There was no obvious current seasonality observed, however, strong spectral signals in the period of a weather band (4 –7 days) were present. Current structures were generally positively correlated with wind variations in both bays. Thus, when westerly/easterly winds blew the overall surface current direction was eastward/westward. I observed a pronounced current spatiotemporal variability that was driven by local winds. The Bird Island surface currents in Algoa Bay were strongly correlated at 0–lag day with the winds, however, in Cape Recife the strongest correlations were usually observed at 1–lag day highlighting the spatiotemporal influence of wind regimes on current structures in Algoa Bay. Bird Island current speeds were higher and had an obvious bimodal directional variation (south westward /north eastward) compared to Cape Recife currents, which generally had a slower current speed with a strong west-north westward direction. In St. Francis Bay, the Schoenmakerskop surface currents showed weak positive correlation with winds at 0–lag day, however, stronger negative correlations were observed at 4–lag days. The current surface speeds in Schoenmakerskop were the lowest and varied directionally between north-north eastward and south-south eastward. The basic data requirements (i.e. SST/ UTR and ADCP time series) and the simplicity of the calculations make these indices a useful tool to apply to a large number of sites nationally and internationally, and to examine the generality of community and population-level responses to physical forcing. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Journalsim and Media Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Dlomo, Xolisa
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Port Elizabeth (South Africa) , Eastern Cape (South Africa) , South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/53607 , vital:45680
- Description: Upwelling, bay-scale currents, fronts and mixing in Algoa Bay and St Francis Bay occur over both short and long time periods. These physical ocean dynamics drive the temporal and spatial distribution of nutrients in the bays, there by influencing primary and secondary production. Thermal gradients and fronts are driven by the wind and open ocean influences, such as the Agulhas Current, daily and seasonal variations in solar radiation, long and short period waves, air-sea fluxes, coastal trapped waves and terrestrial freshwater inflow. These phenomena are poorly understood along this part of the coastline and were the focus of this study. I investigated the dominant temperature scales of variability in both bays, to determine which isotherm is best suited to describe temperature fluctuations and thermocline spatiotemporal variability in and between the two bays. I investigated upwelling spatiotemporal variability in the two bays and tested whether upwelling occurs at the opposite sides of the bays with a change in wind direction. Thereafter studied the occurrence and drivers of winter upwelling events. The wind-driven current spatiotemporal variability and correlations were investigated at the extremities of the two bays. The daily, intra-seasonal and yearly variation in temperature structures in Algoa Bay and St. Francis Bay were mainly driven by the local winds, coastal topography, and bathymetry. The most suitable isotherm to describe thermal fluctuations and variability in Algoa Bay shallower sites was 16.5 °C and its mean depth was 16.2 m. The best isotherm for the deeper sites in Algoa Bay was 15.7 °C with a depth of 33.1 m. The average temperature and depth of the best isotherm to describe thermal fluctuations in St. Francis Bay for the shallower sites was15.80 °C and 16.83 m, and for the deeper sites it was 15.10 °C and 32.08 m. Algoa Bay showed an average cooling trend of -0.000172 °C per year, whereas in St. Francis Bay a warming average trend of 0.0188 °C per year was observed over the study period often and six years, respectively. The wind, Coriolis Effect and Ekman Transport were the main external forces that influenced upwelling throughout the year. Since the available mesoscale indices for upwelling intensity lack the resolution needed to characterize and compare inner-shelf upwelling regimes at small spatial scales, I developed a new local, quantitative index of thermal variability. Index calculations were based on hourly records of in site depth-averaged temperatures, measured at 6 sites in St. Francis Bay and at 8 sites in Algoa Bay. Using the Multivariate Upwelling Zone Index of Cooling (MUZIC) I found that Woody Cape and Blue Horizon Bay had the highest upwelling intensity in Algoa Bay and St. Francis Bay, respectively. The other sites were ordinated and ranked according to their upwelling rates and intensity. Evidence of wind-driven winter upwelling was found to be a common occurrence in both bays. There was no obvious current seasonality observed, however, strong spectral signals in the period of a weather band (4 –7 days) were present. Current structures were generally positively correlated with wind variations in both bays. Thus, when westerly/easterly winds blew the overall surface current direction was eastward/westward. I observed a pronounced current spatiotemporal variability that was driven by local winds. The Bird Island surface currents in Algoa Bay were strongly correlated at 0–lag day with the winds, however, in Cape Recife the strongest correlations were usually observed at 1–lag day highlighting the spatiotemporal influence of wind regimes on current structures in Algoa Bay. Bird Island current speeds were higher and had an obvious bimodal directional variation (south westward /north eastward) compared to Cape Recife currents, which generally had a slower current speed with a strong west-north westward direction. In St. Francis Bay, the Schoenmakerskop surface currents showed weak positive correlation with winds at 0–lag day, however, stronger negative correlations were observed at 4–lag days. The current surface speeds in Schoenmakerskop were the lowest and varied directionally between north-north eastward and south-south eastward. The basic data requirements (i.e. SST/ UTR and ADCP time series) and the simplicity of the calculations make these indices a useful tool to apply to a large number of sites nationally and internationally, and to examine the generality of community and population-level responses to physical forcing. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Journalsim and Media Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12