The Q bell: experiences of patients with disabilities utilising a new call bell system
- Authors: Sithole, Siphiwo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Self-help devices for people with disabilities , People with disabilities -- Means of communication -- Technological innovations Communication devices for people with disabilities People with disabilities -- Rehabilitation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35543 , vital:33755
- Description: The Q-bell is a newly developed call bell system that aims to simplify the lives of people living with disabilities by providing a means for them to easily summon assistance from caregivers when needed. The product is designed to be hands free so that a patient only must exert minimal pressure on the device with any part of the body such as the cheek to call for attention. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of disabled participants regarding the functionality of the Q-bell systems during their stay in a care facility. To achieve this aim, an exploratory, descriptive, contextual, qualitative design was decided upon. There was a paucity of similar studies and this method was deemed the most effective method to fully grasp, contextualize and interpret the experiences of the research participants following the use of the Q-bell. The research population included all people with disabilities who were in care facilities. A purposive sampling method was used to identify a small number of disabled participants in care facilities to use the Q-bell. The researcher approached selected facilities and the residents in their care who had limited to no function of their hands and arms to test the Q-bell. The participants were given the Q-bell to use for 2-3 days, after which semi-structured interviews with participating individuals were conducted. Due to difficulties the researcher had with the infrastructure at the facilities eight participants were approached and interviewed in this study. All the interviews were conducted in private, but face to face, at the bedside of each participant, in the facilities of care. Digital voice recordings of these interviews were made after informed consent being sought from the participants. Verbatim transcripts of the recordings were made and a thematic analysis using Tesch’s method, was performed by the researcher followed by a consensus meeting with the independent coder. Ethical considerations such as beneficence, justice, autonomy, informed consent was adhered to by the researcher. Trustworthiness was achieved by following Guba’s principles of credibility, applicability, consistency and neutrality. Three themes emerged from the data analysis. Theme one highlighted the participants’ experiences whilst using the Q-bell. Theme two reflected the positive characteristics of the Q-bell when compared to other call devices the participants might have used while theme three posed possible recommendations the participants had to possibly improve on the design of the Q-bell. The research report concludes with the research limitations and recommendations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Sithole, Siphiwo
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Self-help devices for people with disabilities , People with disabilities -- Means of communication -- Technological innovations Communication devices for people with disabilities People with disabilities -- Rehabilitation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35543 , vital:33755
- Description: The Q-bell is a newly developed call bell system that aims to simplify the lives of people living with disabilities by providing a means for them to easily summon assistance from caregivers when needed. The product is designed to be hands free so that a patient only must exert minimal pressure on the device with any part of the body such as the cheek to call for attention. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of disabled participants regarding the functionality of the Q-bell systems during their stay in a care facility. To achieve this aim, an exploratory, descriptive, contextual, qualitative design was decided upon. There was a paucity of similar studies and this method was deemed the most effective method to fully grasp, contextualize and interpret the experiences of the research participants following the use of the Q-bell. The research population included all people with disabilities who were in care facilities. A purposive sampling method was used to identify a small number of disabled participants in care facilities to use the Q-bell. The researcher approached selected facilities and the residents in their care who had limited to no function of their hands and arms to test the Q-bell. The participants were given the Q-bell to use for 2-3 days, after which semi-structured interviews with participating individuals were conducted. Due to difficulties the researcher had with the infrastructure at the facilities eight participants were approached and interviewed in this study. All the interviews were conducted in private, but face to face, at the bedside of each participant, in the facilities of care. Digital voice recordings of these interviews were made after informed consent being sought from the participants. Verbatim transcripts of the recordings were made and a thematic analysis using Tesch’s method, was performed by the researcher followed by a consensus meeting with the independent coder. Ethical considerations such as beneficence, justice, autonomy, informed consent was adhered to by the researcher. Trustworthiness was achieved by following Guba’s principles of credibility, applicability, consistency and neutrality. Three themes emerged from the data analysis. Theme one highlighted the participants’ experiences whilst using the Q-bell. Theme two reflected the positive characteristics of the Q-bell when compared to other call devices the participants might have used while theme three posed possible recommendations the participants had to possibly improve on the design of the Q-bell. The research report concludes with the research limitations and recommendations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The readiness of the South African private and public sector for the fourth industrial revolution
- Authors: Putzier, Mark Ludwig
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Technology and civilization , Sustainable development Artificial intelligence Industrial revolution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17422 , vital:28332
- Description: The exponential growth of technology over the past few years led to it being given prime slot at the World Economic Forum held in Davos in January 2016, with Forum founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab coining this potentially disruptive phenomenon as the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. Since then, the term Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) has gained ever increasing relevance and importance. Schwab (2016) emphasised that the world is on the edge of “a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work and relate to one another”; and that in the pure “scale, scope and complexity, the transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before”. What is certain is that the FIR is predicted by many to impact significantly on jobs in the world as robotics; automation and artificial intelligence become more prolific. This shift will have a direct bearing on South Africa as well. With the challenges facing the country, such as infrastructure constraints, frequent industrial actions, rising costs and shortages of skills, the loss of further jobs should be of concern for government and the private sector alike. The outcomes of the in-depth analysis of future studies practice and theory in this research study give credence to the argument that the manner in which planning for the future of the FIR in the South African context is taking place requires profound adjustments. The development of fresh insight through the application of futures studies is essential to this planning process, as is progressively evidenced in the tendency for present day business to make collaborative decisions and strategies that are founded on and informed by futures studies. This research has tried to gain insight into the possible future of the FIR in South Africa through the creation of four scenarios towards 2035. These are outlined as follows: The Fifth Element, which is the ‘best case’ scenario, to which the country aspires; Terminator, the ‘worst case’ scenario, in which everything goes bad; The Matrix, the outlier future based on a surprising, disruptive, emerging issue; and The Day the Earth Stood Still, in which no change takes place, making it ‘business as usual’. The research furthermore endeavoured to discover the preferred future for the FIR in a South African context, as a basis for the Future Vision of the FIR in South Africa towards 2035. All through this study, Inayatullah’s (2008) pillars of futures studies were applied as a guide in mapping the present and future, further deepening and broadening the future through the development of scenarios, and, finally, transforming the future by narrowing it down to the preferred. It is up to the South African public and private sectors to determine which path is to be followed in the decisions surrounding the embrace and acceptance of the FIR as the country moves towards progress and sustainable development. Through a novel and innovative methodology, the creation of an atmosphere of trust, and the sharing of purpose, values and benefits, a national Future Vision of the FIR in South Africa towards 2035 is attainable. All stakeholders have to commit to working in co-operative partnerships, with government, society, local communities and labour striding boldly together into a world of technological, commercial, environmental and social innovation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Putzier, Mark Ludwig
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Technology and civilization , Sustainable development Artificial intelligence Industrial revolution
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/17422 , vital:28332
- Description: The exponential growth of technology over the past few years led to it being given prime slot at the World Economic Forum held in Davos in January 2016, with Forum founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab coining this potentially disruptive phenomenon as the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. Since then, the term Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) has gained ever increasing relevance and importance. Schwab (2016) emphasised that the world is on the edge of “a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work and relate to one another”; and that in the pure “scale, scope and complexity, the transformation will be unlike anything humankind has experienced before”. What is certain is that the FIR is predicted by many to impact significantly on jobs in the world as robotics; automation and artificial intelligence become more prolific. This shift will have a direct bearing on South Africa as well. With the challenges facing the country, such as infrastructure constraints, frequent industrial actions, rising costs and shortages of skills, the loss of further jobs should be of concern for government and the private sector alike. The outcomes of the in-depth analysis of future studies practice and theory in this research study give credence to the argument that the manner in which planning for the future of the FIR in the South African context is taking place requires profound adjustments. The development of fresh insight through the application of futures studies is essential to this planning process, as is progressively evidenced in the tendency for present day business to make collaborative decisions and strategies that are founded on and informed by futures studies. This research has tried to gain insight into the possible future of the FIR in South Africa through the creation of four scenarios towards 2035. These are outlined as follows: The Fifth Element, which is the ‘best case’ scenario, to which the country aspires; Terminator, the ‘worst case’ scenario, in which everything goes bad; The Matrix, the outlier future based on a surprising, disruptive, emerging issue; and The Day the Earth Stood Still, in which no change takes place, making it ‘business as usual’. The research furthermore endeavoured to discover the preferred future for the FIR in a South African context, as a basis for the Future Vision of the FIR in South Africa towards 2035. All through this study, Inayatullah’s (2008) pillars of futures studies were applied as a guide in mapping the present and future, further deepening and broadening the future through the development of scenarios, and, finally, transforming the future by narrowing it down to the preferred. It is up to the South African public and private sectors to determine which path is to be followed in the decisions surrounding the embrace and acceptance of the FIR as the country moves towards progress and sustainable development. Through a novel and innovative methodology, the creation of an atmosphere of trust, and the sharing of purpose, values and benefits, a national Future Vision of the FIR in South Africa towards 2035 is attainable. All stakeholders have to commit to working in co-operative partnerships, with government, society, local communities and labour striding boldly together into a world of technological, commercial, environmental and social innovation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The regulation of anti-dumping : a critical assessment with a focus on South Africa
- Authors: Chikomo, Unico
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Antidumping duties
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Law
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10896 , vital:35961
- Description: Economic globalisation entails the integration of national economies into one economy centred upon free International trade and the unrestricted flow of foreign direct investment.1 It has been argued by economists, politicians, business people, lawyers and many others that economic globalisation results in healthy competition amongst producers of goods and technologies around the world. This in turn results in market efficiency, cheaper, high quality goods and the increased spread of technology and wealth amongst countries. International trade aims to increase trade liberalisation, which has been seen to create higher standards of living for people as a result of greater competition amongst producers in different parts of the international globe. However whilst in support of trade liberalisation trade lawyers have warned that International trade must be fair. Unfair trade can take the form of dumping, price fixing, and certain methods of subsidisation. Unfair trade usually has disastrous effects on the domestic markets of importing countries which can result in injury to domestic industry and the national economy. Such injury can be in the form low sales, losses, company closures and retrenchments. As a result of such domestic injury, World Trade Organisation (WTO) law condemns dumping if it causes injury to the domestic industry of the importing country2 and allows importing countries to impose certain measures aimed at protecting themselves against such injury; these measures are called anti-dumping measures. However, WTO member states need to ensure that their anti-dumping frameworks are consistent with WTO norms. The principal objective of this study is to critically assess the existing regulatory framework of anti-dumping in South Africa with a view to identifying shortcomings that may result in the framework being inconsistent with WTO anti-dumping rules. In pursuing that objective, the study explores the norms and standards of the existing WTO regulatory framework on anti-dumping and ascertains the obligations of South Africa with regard to the imposition of anti-dumping measures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Chikomo, Unico
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Antidumping duties
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Law
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10896 , vital:35961
- Description: Economic globalisation entails the integration of national economies into one economy centred upon free International trade and the unrestricted flow of foreign direct investment.1 It has been argued by economists, politicians, business people, lawyers and many others that economic globalisation results in healthy competition amongst producers of goods and technologies around the world. This in turn results in market efficiency, cheaper, high quality goods and the increased spread of technology and wealth amongst countries. International trade aims to increase trade liberalisation, which has been seen to create higher standards of living for people as a result of greater competition amongst producers in different parts of the international globe. However whilst in support of trade liberalisation trade lawyers have warned that International trade must be fair. Unfair trade can take the form of dumping, price fixing, and certain methods of subsidisation. Unfair trade usually has disastrous effects on the domestic markets of importing countries which can result in injury to domestic industry and the national economy. Such injury can be in the form low sales, losses, company closures and retrenchments. As a result of such domestic injury, World Trade Organisation (WTO) law condemns dumping if it causes injury to the domestic industry of the importing country2 and allows importing countries to impose certain measures aimed at protecting themselves against such injury; these measures are called anti-dumping measures. However, WTO member states need to ensure that their anti-dumping frameworks are consistent with WTO norms. The principal objective of this study is to critically assess the existing regulatory framework of anti-dumping in South Africa with a view to identifying shortcomings that may result in the framework being inconsistent with WTO anti-dumping rules. In pursuing that objective, the study explores the norms and standards of the existing WTO regulatory framework on anti-dumping and ascertains the obligations of South Africa with regard to the imposition of anti-dumping measures.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The regulation of subsidies and regional trade among developing countries in the multilateral trading system: the case of export processing zones in Malawi
- Authors: Chirwa, Watson Pajanji
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Trade regulation -- Malawi , Subsidies -- Law and legislation -- Malawi , Southern African Development Community , Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa , Foreign trade regulation -- Malawi , Export processing zones -- Law and legislation -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62428 , vital:28175
- Description: The paradigm shift engaged by countries in SADC and COMESA, such as Malawi, from the use of import substitution policies which were aimed at protecting their infant industries, to export led growth strategies, necessitated these developing countries to liberalise their economies. The liberalisation of these economies meant that, for them to attain development, they needed to trade more on the international market. However, with underdeveloped industries and a lack of local entrepreneurs who could provide export supplies to fill the void created by the liberalisation policies, developing countries had to look beyond their borders for investors. In pursuit of this objective, governments have been devising ways of attracting foreign direct investment which can stimulate export growth. One of the methods employed is the granting of investment incentives to would-be investors. Unlike developed countries who provide investment incentives in the form of financial incentives, developing countries grant fiscal incentives. These are incentives that reduce tax burdens of enterprises to induce them to invest in particular projects or sectors. One of the mediums of providing the incentives adopted by the developing countries is the use of EPZ schemes. EPZs provide incentives such as exemptions of direct and indirect taxes to companies that operate in the zones. However, being Members of the WTO and SADC and/or COMESA, these countries are bound by obligations regulating trade and investment as found in these Agreements. The expectation is that the fiscal incentives employed in the EPZs do not grant subsidies that are prohibited under the SCM Agreement and rules regulating subsidies in SADC and COMESA. In addition, even though the use of EPZs is not expressly proscribed under the SADC Protocol on Trade, it may be against the objectives of the Protocol - one of which is the pursuance of the inter-jurisdictional goal of cooperation in attainment of free trade among its members. Therefore, this study assesses whether the use of EPZs by some countries in the two RTAs (particularly Malawi) is in tandem with the subsidies regulation as found in the multilateral trading system and at regional level. It also assesses whether, if there is a breach of the same, it might be justified as part of the special and differential treatment accorded to developing countries by developed countries under the WTO. The study further assesses whether the use of EPZs might be against the spirit and objects of FTAs such as SADC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Chirwa, Watson Pajanji
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Trade regulation -- Malawi , Subsidies -- Law and legislation -- Malawi , Southern African Development Community , Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa , Foreign trade regulation -- Malawi , Export processing zones -- Law and legislation -- Malawi
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , LLM
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/62428 , vital:28175
- Description: The paradigm shift engaged by countries in SADC and COMESA, such as Malawi, from the use of import substitution policies which were aimed at protecting their infant industries, to export led growth strategies, necessitated these developing countries to liberalise their economies. The liberalisation of these economies meant that, for them to attain development, they needed to trade more on the international market. However, with underdeveloped industries and a lack of local entrepreneurs who could provide export supplies to fill the void created by the liberalisation policies, developing countries had to look beyond their borders for investors. In pursuit of this objective, governments have been devising ways of attracting foreign direct investment which can stimulate export growth. One of the methods employed is the granting of investment incentives to would-be investors. Unlike developed countries who provide investment incentives in the form of financial incentives, developing countries grant fiscal incentives. These are incentives that reduce tax burdens of enterprises to induce them to invest in particular projects or sectors. One of the mediums of providing the incentives adopted by the developing countries is the use of EPZ schemes. EPZs provide incentives such as exemptions of direct and indirect taxes to companies that operate in the zones. However, being Members of the WTO and SADC and/or COMESA, these countries are bound by obligations regulating trade and investment as found in these Agreements. The expectation is that the fiscal incentives employed in the EPZs do not grant subsidies that are prohibited under the SCM Agreement and rules regulating subsidies in SADC and COMESA. In addition, even though the use of EPZs is not expressly proscribed under the SADC Protocol on Trade, it may be against the objectives of the Protocol - one of which is the pursuance of the inter-jurisdictional goal of cooperation in attainment of free trade among its members. Therefore, this study assesses whether the use of EPZs by some countries in the two RTAs (particularly Malawi) is in tandem with the subsidies regulation as found in the multilateral trading system and at regional level. It also assesses whether, if there is a breach of the same, it might be justified as part of the special and differential treatment accorded to developing countries by developed countries under the WTO. The study further assesses whether the use of EPZs might be against the spirit and objects of FTAs such as SADC.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relation between galaxy density and radio jet power for 1.4 GHz VLA selected AGNs in Stripe 82
- Kolwa, S, Jarvis, M J, McAlpine, Kim, Heywood, Ian
- Authors: Kolwa, S , Jarvis, M J , McAlpine, Kim , Heywood, Ian
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/131444 , vital:36572 , https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/sty3019
- Description: Using a Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) L-band (1-2 GHz) survey covering ∼100 deg2 of the Stripe 82 field, we have obtained a catalogue of 2716 radio AGNs. For these AGNs, we investigate the impact of galaxy density on 1.4 GHz radio luminosity (L1.4). We determine their close environment densities using the surface density parameter, ΣN, for N = 2 and N = 5, which we bin by redshift to obtain a pseudo-3D galaxy density measure. Matching the radio AGNs to sources without radio detections in terms of redshift, K-band magnitude and (g − K) colour index, we obtain samples of control galaxies and determine whether radio AGN environments differ from this general population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Kolwa, S , Jarvis, M J , McAlpine, Kim , Heywood, Ian
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/131444 , vital:36572 , https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/sty3019
- Description: Using a Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) L-band (1-2 GHz) survey covering ∼100 deg2 of the Stripe 82 field, we have obtained a catalogue of 2716 radio AGNs. For these AGNs, we investigate the impact of galaxy density on 1.4 GHz radio luminosity (L1.4). We determine their close environment densities using the surface density parameter, ΣN, for N = 2 and N = 5, which we bin by redshift to obtain a pseudo-3D galaxy density measure. Matching the radio AGNs to sources without radio detections in terms of redshift, K-band magnitude and (g − K) colour index, we obtain samples of control galaxies and determine whether radio AGN environments differ from this general population.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between attribution style, rural vs urban status and traumatic stress severity in Kiambu and Nyeri counties, Kenya
- Authors: Ndungu, Jane Wagithi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Kenya , Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Patients -- Interviews -- Kenya Rural conditions -- Psychological aspects -- Kenya Rural mental health services -- Kenya Community psychology -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32793 , vital:32363
- Description: Traumatic exposure and posttraumatic stress in Kenya is a common experience. Despite this prevalence, an investigation of the dynamic influence of variables (such as cultural differences) on posttraumatic stress has received little attention in the country. This means that a relatively narrow understanding of traumatic stress exists in the Kenyan context. This study therefore investigated the relationship between attribution style, rural vs. urban status and posttraumatic stress severity. The exploration and description of these relationships contributed to creating a more nuanced understanding of traumatic stress. Such a nuanced understanding would be useful to a variety of fields of practice. The study utilised a sample from a rural and urban area of Kenya. A purposive convenience sample of 178 rural and 176 urban individuals was used. The study employed a biographical questionnaire and 2 quantitative measures, namely, the Attribution Style Questionnaire (ASQ) and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Results indicated that posttraumatic stress severity in the urban area was significantly higher than in the rural area. The urban sample was significantly more likely to attribute negative events to internal (rather than external) and specific (rather than global) causes than the rural sample. A regression analysis showed that a negative internal attribution style and educational level had a significant relationship with posttraumatic stress severity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ndungu, Jane Wagithi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Kenya , Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Patients -- Interviews -- Kenya Rural conditions -- Psychological aspects -- Kenya Rural mental health services -- Kenya Community psychology -- Kenya
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32793 , vital:32363
- Description: Traumatic exposure and posttraumatic stress in Kenya is a common experience. Despite this prevalence, an investigation of the dynamic influence of variables (such as cultural differences) on posttraumatic stress has received little attention in the country. This means that a relatively narrow understanding of traumatic stress exists in the Kenyan context. This study therefore investigated the relationship between attribution style, rural vs. urban status and posttraumatic stress severity. The exploration and description of these relationships contributed to creating a more nuanced understanding of traumatic stress. Such a nuanced understanding would be useful to a variety of fields of practice. The study utilised a sample from a rural and urban area of Kenya. A purposive convenience sample of 178 rural and 176 urban individuals was used. The study employed a biographical questionnaire and 2 quantitative measures, namely, the Attribution Style Questionnaire (ASQ) and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Results indicated that posttraumatic stress severity in the urban area was significantly higher than in the rural area. The urban sample was significantly more likely to attribute negative events to internal (rather than external) and specific (rather than global) causes than the rural sample. A regression analysis showed that a negative internal attribution style and educational level had a significant relationship with posttraumatic stress severity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between authentic leadership and employee performance
- Authors: Petzer, Liane
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Authentic leadership , Positive psychology , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Employees -- Attitudes , Job satisfaction -- South Africa , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Financial services industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59467 , vital:27613
- Description: The impact of a leader on his or her followers has been a topic of much research and therefore organizations, including the financial services sector in South Africa, are placing more and more emphasis on what this leadership construct looks like. Research suggests that Authentic Leadership might be a new kind of leadership approach that the world is looking for. This study aims to establish the possible relationship between an authentic leader and the impact the leader’s behaviour has on the performance of his or her employee. The study further attempts to establish if satisfaction can play a mediating role in the relationship between authentic leadership and the performance of an employee. The research used two established research instruments, namely the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ), as well as a section of Freese and Schalk’s (2008) psychological contract questionnaire relating to satisfaction specifically. Respondents were also requested to indicate their most recent performance rating. The study was conducted within the financial sector based in the Eastern and Southern Cape with a total population of 1077 employees across all business units, job grades, race, age, education and gender. The study established a significant positive relationship between authentic leadership and employee performance. A further significant positive relationship was established between authentic leadership and satisfaction. However, no relationship could be established between satisfaction and performance, thereby indicating that satisfaction was not a mediator of the relationship between authentic leadership and employee performance. In conclusion, recommendations for management practice and for further research are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Petzer, Liane
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Authentic leadership , Positive psychology , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Employees -- Attitudes , Job satisfaction -- South Africa , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Financial services industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59467 , vital:27613
- Description: The impact of a leader on his or her followers has been a topic of much research and therefore organizations, including the financial services sector in South Africa, are placing more and more emphasis on what this leadership construct looks like. Research suggests that Authentic Leadership might be a new kind of leadership approach that the world is looking for. This study aims to establish the possible relationship between an authentic leader and the impact the leader’s behaviour has on the performance of his or her employee. The study further attempts to establish if satisfaction can play a mediating role in the relationship between authentic leadership and the performance of an employee. The research used two established research instruments, namely the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ), as well as a section of Freese and Schalk’s (2008) psychological contract questionnaire relating to satisfaction specifically. Respondents were also requested to indicate their most recent performance rating. The study was conducted within the financial sector based in the Eastern and Southern Cape with a total population of 1077 employees across all business units, job grades, race, age, education and gender. The study established a significant positive relationship between authentic leadership and employee performance. A further significant positive relationship was established between authentic leadership and satisfaction. However, no relationship could be established between satisfaction and performance, thereby indicating that satisfaction was not a mediator of the relationship between authentic leadership and employee performance. In conclusion, recommendations for management practice and for further research are made.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between conflict cycles and sustainable development goals
- Authors: Ngxeba, Zimkhitha Pamela
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sustainable development , Conflict management Social conflict Economic development -- Political aspects Rural development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22846 , vital:30110
- Description: The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship between conflict and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN) and the effect this relationship has on achieving these goals by the year 2030. The researcher gathered the data on this relationship from three communities within the Ngqushwa Municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The data collection tools that were used helped the researcher to develop a work plan that guided the type of information that should be collected with regards to the current situation in the three communities being studied. Three sample communities, namely Ndwayana, Ndlambe and Pikoli communities in the Ngqushwa Municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa were used. The first samples’ (Ndwayana community) responses to the survey, revealed that there are conflicts amongst the community members and amongst the community leadership. At Ndlambe, the response to the survey revealed that there is a divide between tribal authority and the community. In this village there are factions, with some of the people siding with the tribal authority and others who are against it. The third sample, which is from Pikoli community, however disclosed that conflict in their village is manageable and is mostly caused by outsiders. Based on the findings of the research, NGO’s and government have instituted development programmes in these villages, meaning that they are doing their part in trying to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. However, efforts in some villages are rejected and conflicts still exist. This shows that there is a relationship between conflicts and sustainable development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Ngxeba, Zimkhitha Pamela
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Sustainable development , Conflict management Social conflict Economic development -- Political aspects Rural development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22846 , vital:30110
- Description: The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship between conflict and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN) and the effect this relationship has on achieving these goals by the year 2030. The researcher gathered the data on this relationship from three communities within the Ngqushwa Municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The data collection tools that were used helped the researcher to develop a work plan that guided the type of information that should be collected with regards to the current situation in the three communities being studied. Three sample communities, namely Ndwayana, Ndlambe and Pikoli communities in the Ngqushwa Municipality of the Eastern Cape, South Africa were used. The first samples’ (Ndwayana community) responses to the survey, revealed that there are conflicts amongst the community members and amongst the community leadership. At Ndlambe, the response to the survey revealed that there is a divide between tribal authority and the community. In this village there are factions, with some of the people siding with the tribal authority and others who are against it. The third sample, which is from Pikoli community, however disclosed that conflict in their village is manageable and is mostly caused by outsiders. Based on the findings of the research, NGO’s and government have instituted development programmes in these villages, meaning that they are doing their part in trying to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. However, efforts in some villages are rejected and conflicts still exist. This shows that there is a relationship between conflicts and sustainable development.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between employability and labour market participation
- Uwuoruya, Nosayaba Frederick
- Authors: Uwuoruya, Nosayaba Frederick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Job hunting , Labor market -- Africa College graduates -- Employment -- Africa Career development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36101 , vital:33892
- Description: Unemployment is an urgent socio- economic issue facing not just Sub-Saharan Africa but also the global world at large (Yu, 2013). Globally, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 201 million people were unemployed in 2014. Almost 74 million of those unemployed were young people (aged 15-24) in 2014. The ILO report further states that the number of people seeking employment was over 30 million more than in 2008, because several people lost their jobs due to the world economic recession. One of the results recorded from the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook 2016, show that youth unemployment is still three times that of the adult unemployment rate at 13.1% (ILO, 2016). Unemployed youths are estimated to be 73.3 million, a 3.3% decline from the global crisis in 2008 (ILO,2016:6). Crisp and Powell, (2016) indicate youth are vulnerable due to the economic fragility of the labour market and uneven recovery over the past years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Uwuoruya, Nosayaba Frederick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Job hunting , Labor market -- Africa College graduates -- Employment -- Africa Career development
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36101 , vital:33892
- Description: Unemployment is an urgent socio- economic issue facing not just Sub-Saharan Africa but also the global world at large (Yu, 2013). Globally, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 201 million people were unemployed in 2014. Almost 74 million of those unemployed were young people (aged 15-24) in 2014. The ILO report further states that the number of people seeking employment was over 30 million more than in 2008, because several people lost their jobs due to the world economic recession. One of the results recorded from the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook 2016, show that youth unemployment is still three times that of the adult unemployment rate at 13.1% (ILO, 2016). Unemployed youths are estimated to be 73.3 million, a 3.3% decline from the global crisis in 2008 (ILO,2016:6). Crisp and Powell, (2016) indicate youth are vulnerable due to the economic fragility of the labour market and uneven recovery over the past years.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between employability and labour market participation
- Uwuoruya, Nosayaba Frederick
- Authors: Uwuoruya, Nosayaba Frederick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Labor supply -- South Africa , Unemployment -- South Africa Work environment Work -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36111 , vital:33894
- Description: Unemployment is an urgent socio- economic issue facing not just Sub-Saharan Africa but also the global world at large (Yu, 2013). Globally, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 201 million people were unemployed in 2014. Almost 74 million of those unemployed were young people (aged 15-24) in 2014. The ILO report further states that the number of people seeking employment was over 30 million more than in 2008, because several people lost their jobs due to the world economic recession. One of the results recorded from the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook 2016, show that youth unemployment is still three times that of the adult unemployment rate at 13.1% (ILO, 2016). Unemployed youths are estimated to be 73.3 million, a 3.3% decline from the global crisis in 2008 (ILO,2016:6). Crisp and Powell, (2016) indicate youth are vulnerable due to the economic fragility of the labour market and uneven recovery over the past years.The case of Sub-Saharan Africa is no different. South Africa is one of the countries grappling with high rates of unemployment, especially among youths (Burger & Fintel, 2009). According to a report by Statistics South Africa in 2015, 5.2 million of the labour force were unemployed, while 15.1 million South Africans are not economically active- resulting in an unemployment rate of 24.5% in the fourth quarter of 2015 (Statistics South Africa, 2015). Since- 2010, the first quarter of each year recorded increases in unemployment levels. The number of unemployed individuals had increase by more than half a million (626000, 521000) in the first quarter of 2015 and 2016 respectively (Statistics South Africa, 2016). The youth unemployment rate in South Africa decreased to 47.60% in the third quarter of 2016 from 53.70% in the second quarter of 2016.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Uwuoruya, Nosayaba Frederick
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Labor supply -- South Africa , Unemployment -- South Africa Work environment Work -- Social aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/36111 , vital:33894
- Description: Unemployment is an urgent socio- economic issue facing not just Sub-Saharan Africa but also the global world at large (Yu, 2013). Globally, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that 201 million people were unemployed in 2014. Almost 74 million of those unemployed were young people (aged 15-24) in 2014. The ILO report further states that the number of people seeking employment was over 30 million more than in 2008, because several people lost their jobs due to the world economic recession. One of the results recorded from the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook 2016, show that youth unemployment is still three times that of the adult unemployment rate at 13.1% (ILO, 2016). Unemployed youths are estimated to be 73.3 million, a 3.3% decline from the global crisis in 2008 (ILO,2016:6). Crisp and Powell, (2016) indicate youth are vulnerable due to the economic fragility of the labour market and uneven recovery over the past years.The case of Sub-Saharan Africa is no different. South Africa is one of the countries grappling with high rates of unemployment, especially among youths (Burger & Fintel, 2009). According to a report by Statistics South Africa in 2015, 5.2 million of the labour force were unemployed, while 15.1 million South Africans are not economically active- resulting in an unemployment rate of 24.5% in the fourth quarter of 2015 (Statistics South Africa, 2015). Since- 2010, the first quarter of each year recorded increases in unemployment levels. The number of unemployed individuals had increase by more than half a million (626000, 521000) in the first quarter of 2015 and 2016 respectively (Statistics South Africa, 2016). The youth unemployment rate in South Africa decreased to 47.60% in the third quarter of 2016 from 53.70% in the second quarter of 2016.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between leadership styles and work engagement within the workplace
- Authors: Soares, Michelle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Management -- Employee participation Employee motivation Work environment Organizational behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35480 , vital:33738
- Description: The proposed research was designed to investigate the relationship between leadership styles and work engagement within the workplace. The introduction provided the background to the research study, a brief theoretical overview of the leadership styles and work engagement as well as the relationship between the two variables was discussed. An overview of the motivation of the study, problem statements, research objectives and the propositions were also considered. A literature review provided a background to the origins, definitions, approaches, characteristics, styles, benefits, consequences, theories and models of leadership and work engagement. Thereafter, the relationship between the two variables were discussed and the propositions were revisited. The type of research conducted was an empirical study which utilised correlational and crosssectional design. The research methodology dealt with the population and sample, the measuring instruments, procedure, validity, reliability and ended off with the ethical standards that were considered whilst the research study was conducted. The findings attempted to answer whether a relationship existed between perceptions of leadership styles with the primary aim to either accept or reject the propositions posed in the preceding chapters. The research study concluded in discussing the results and attempted to link it to the literature that was presented in Chapter Two. The main aim was to identify whether relationships existed between the two variables. The study then concluded in discussing the limitations that were found in the study and discussed possible recommendations for the organisation and for potential future researchers who display an interest in pursuing this study further. In conclusion, the findings posed significant implications for leaders within the workplace who aspire to increase their employees’ work engagement levels for purposes of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their employees’ overall performance towards achieving the business objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Soares, Michelle
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa , Management -- Employee participation Employee motivation Work environment Organizational behavior
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/35480 , vital:33738
- Description: The proposed research was designed to investigate the relationship between leadership styles and work engagement within the workplace. The introduction provided the background to the research study, a brief theoretical overview of the leadership styles and work engagement as well as the relationship between the two variables was discussed. An overview of the motivation of the study, problem statements, research objectives and the propositions were also considered. A literature review provided a background to the origins, definitions, approaches, characteristics, styles, benefits, consequences, theories and models of leadership and work engagement. Thereafter, the relationship between the two variables were discussed and the propositions were revisited. The type of research conducted was an empirical study which utilised correlational and crosssectional design. The research methodology dealt with the population and sample, the measuring instruments, procedure, validity, reliability and ended off with the ethical standards that were considered whilst the research study was conducted. The findings attempted to answer whether a relationship existed between perceptions of leadership styles with the primary aim to either accept or reject the propositions posed in the preceding chapters. The research study concluded in discussing the results and attempted to link it to the literature that was presented in Chapter Two. The main aim was to identify whether relationships existed between the two variables. The study then concluded in discussing the limitations that were found in the study and discussed possible recommendations for the organisation and for potential future researchers who display an interest in pursuing this study further. In conclusion, the findings posed significant implications for leaders within the workplace who aspire to increase their employees’ work engagement levels for purposes of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their employees’ overall performance towards achieving the business objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between leadership, group identity and intention to attend: the case of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
- Authors: Mazantsana, Pumla
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa -- Research , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32741 , vital:32340
- Description: The study investigated the relationship between leadership, group identity and intention to attend; among a sample of employees in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Since it is a common occurrence that public entities in South Africa are faced with high labour turnover and absenteeism as a result of failure to attend, strategies are required that will assist in reducing this challenging issue. The expectation is that by virtue of the leadership authorities and responsibilities, they play an important in the effective functioning of such public entities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mazantsana, Pumla
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa -- Research , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Absenteeism (Labor) -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/32741 , vital:32340
- Description: The study investigated the relationship between leadership, group identity and intention to attend; among a sample of employees in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Since it is a common occurrence that public entities in South Africa are faced with high labour turnover and absenteeism as a result of failure to attend, strategies are required that will assist in reducing this challenging issue. The expectation is that by virtue of the leadership authorities and responsibilities, they play an important in the effective functioning of such public entities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between operational risk management and business continuity management: a case study of a selected financial institution in South Africa
- Mkhize, Gelvas Bhekabambo Senzoesihe
- Authors: Mkhize, Gelvas Bhekabambo Senzoesihe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Risk management -- South Africa , Risk assessment -- South Africa Operations research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22769 , vital:30076
- Description: The disruption of a leading financial services company because of internal or external risks has huge negative impact on the business bottom-line and the South African Financial Services industry at large. The Basel Accord defined operational risk as one of the key risk to manage in an attempt to minimise risk within a bank. Business Continuity Management (BCM) is a key component of enabling a business to prepare for disruptions and yet BCM remains poorly integrated with Operational Risk Management (ORM) in most financial institutions. Qualitative research focuses on gathering and interpreting data through quotation, description and narration was undertaken to explore opportunities for integration of tools and methodologies used by these two risk types. This type of research is concerned with capturing conversations, experiences, perspectives, voices and meanings typically from small samples purposively selected. The study findings are based on a sample of 9 respondents. Most of the respondents indicated that the bank is guided by the Basel, Advanced Measurement Approach (AMA) accreditation to the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the three lines of defense. There were many integration points identified by respondent and three recommendations were made to address the research objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Mkhize, Gelvas Bhekabambo Senzoesihe
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Risk management -- South Africa , Risk assessment -- South Africa Operations research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22769 , vital:30076
- Description: The disruption of a leading financial services company because of internal or external risks has huge negative impact on the business bottom-line and the South African Financial Services industry at large. The Basel Accord defined operational risk as one of the key risk to manage in an attempt to minimise risk within a bank. Business Continuity Management (BCM) is a key component of enabling a business to prepare for disruptions and yet BCM remains poorly integrated with Operational Risk Management (ORM) in most financial institutions. Qualitative research focuses on gathering and interpreting data through quotation, description and narration was undertaken to explore opportunities for integration of tools and methodologies used by these two risk types. This type of research is concerned with capturing conversations, experiences, perspectives, voices and meanings typically from small samples purposively selected. The study findings are based on a sample of 9 respondents. Most of the respondents indicated that the bank is guided by the Basel, Advanced Measurement Approach (AMA) accreditation to the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the three lines of defense. There were many integration points identified by respondent and three recommendations were made to address the research objectives.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between personal branding and career success: a study of female managers in South Africa
- Foli, Edem Nompumelelo Akoswa
- Authors: Foli, Edem Nompumelelo Akoswa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa -- Management , Success in business -- Women -- South Africa Career development -- Women -- South Africa Women executives -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21907 , vital:29800
- Description: The research objective of this study was to determine the relationship between personal branding and career success of female managers in South Africa. Personal branding is a technique used by individuals to enhance their careers. Women are still struggling to be recognised as equals to men in the workplace and do not hold as many key decision-making positions as their male counterparts. Women can use personal branding as a tool to help them progress faster in the workplace and enhance their career success. A questionnaire survey based on a conceptual framework – which consisted of the personal branding tactics of self-promotion, ingratiation, exemplification, intimidation, supplication and career success – was used to conduct this study. The research questions were: (1) Do female managers in South Africa think that personal branding is important; (2) What personal branding tactics for career success do female managers in South Africa use; (3) Do female managers think that online personal branding is important; and (4) How many female managers brand themselves online. The research questions were answered using descriptive statistics, one-sample tests, Analysis of Variance, and multiple linear aggression analysis. The research had 105 respondents and showed that female managers who participated in the study perceived personal branding as important; the results were statistically significant. The study also showed that the female managers were engaging in self-promotion as a way of advancing their career success. The majority of the female managers were also branding themselves online through media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, websites and blogs. The main limitation of this study was that the non-probability sampling technique was used and this meant that the findings could not be generalised to the entire female manager population in South Africa. Suggestions for further research include collaborating with a women’s organisation with access to a database of female managers in South Africa and conducting the same research from the perspective of how others view female managers’ personal branding tactics and career successes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Foli, Edem Nompumelelo Akoswa
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa -- Management , Success in business -- Women -- South Africa Career development -- Women -- South Africa Women executives -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/21907 , vital:29800
- Description: The research objective of this study was to determine the relationship between personal branding and career success of female managers in South Africa. Personal branding is a technique used by individuals to enhance their careers. Women are still struggling to be recognised as equals to men in the workplace and do not hold as many key decision-making positions as their male counterparts. Women can use personal branding as a tool to help them progress faster in the workplace and enhance their career success. A questionnaire survey based on a conceptual framework – which consisted of the personal branding tactics of self-promotion, ingratiation, exemplification, intimidation, supplication and career success – was used to conduct this study. The research questions were: (1) Do female managers in South Africa think that personal branding is important; (2) What personal branding tactics for career success do female managers in South Africa use; (3) Do female managers think that online personal branding is important; and (4) How many female managers brand themselves online. The research questions were answered using descriptive statistics, one-sample tests, Analysis of Variance, and multiple linear aggression analysis. The research had 105 respondents and showed that female managers who participated in the study perceived personal branding as important; the results were statistically significant. The study also showed that the female managers were engaging in self-promotion as a way of advancing their career success. The majority of the female managers were also branding themselves online through media such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, websites and blogs. The main limitation of this study was that the non-probability sampling technique was used and this meant that the findings could not be generalised to the entire female manager population in South Africa. Suggestions for further research include collaborating with a women’s organisation with access to a database of female managers in South Africa and conducting the same research from the perspective of how others view female managers’ personal branding tactics and career successes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between poor governance and housing delivery in Nelson Mandela Bay
- Authors: George, Mandla
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Housing development -- South Africa , Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Public housing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30183 , vital:30857
- Description: In this study, the relationship between poor governance and housing delivery in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM) is investigated. The focus is on a case study in Motherwell NU29 that demonstrated poor planning, approvals and implementation resulting in communities being allocated houses that were structurally damaged and unsuitable for habitation. Reports that support the Metro, particularly from the Human Settlements Department, constituted the data for the case study. The study reveals how party political problems in the ruling African National Congress led to instability in the administrative and political leadership of the NMBM and resulted in poor leadership that compromised the relationship between communities and those in positions of authority. Poor governance further compromised relationships between the Metro and the Provincial and National spheres of government. The study further reveals how corruption and maladministration of the Motherwell NU29 Project affected the delivery of what could have potentially been a great model for densification in the Metro.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: George, Mandla
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Housing development -- South Africa , Low-income housing -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Public housing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30183 , vital:30857
- Description: In this study, the relationship between poor governance and housing delivery in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM) is investigated. The focus is on a case study in Motherwell NU29 that demonstrated poor planning, approvals and implementation resulting in communities being allocated houses that were structurally damaged and unsuitable for habitation. Reports that support the Metro, particularly from the Human Settlements Department, constituted the data for the case study. The study reveals how party political problems in the ruling African National Congress led to instability in the administrative and political leadership of the NMBM and resulted in poor leadership that compromised the relationship between communities and those in positions of authority. Poor governance further compromised relationships between the Metro and the Provincial and National spheres of government. The study further reveals how corruption and maladministration of the Motherwell NU29 Project affected the delivery of what could have potentially been a great model for densification in the Metro.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between psychological capital and burnout in secondary school teachers
- Authors: Lokotsch, Leila Valerie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Psychology, Industrial , Personnel management High school teachers -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30940 , vital:31227
- Description: Psychological capital (Psycap) emerged from positive psychology and the recently developed positive organisational behaviour (POB) which focuses on the positive. The core construct of Psycap is made up of hope, self-efficacy, optimism and resilience. Job burnout is a persistent reaction to on-going emotional and interpersonal difficulties. Burnout is considered to be more of a dominant problem among teachers compared to other professions. Considerable research on Psycap has shown that Psycap is negatively linked to stress and burnout. To provide an overview, a quantitative approach was adopted by means of survey research and the type of study conducted was a correlational study. The purpose of this research was to first investigate the relationship between Psycap and burnout in secondary school teachers. The secondary objective was to provide recommendations related to Psycap and burnout based on the findings. In summary, the results of the study found that there are mostly negative relationships between PsyCap and burnout and their dimensions. The instruments ustilised were the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24) and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). These are self-report questionnaires and were completed by way of paper-and-pencil tests. Cronbach’s alpha was used to determine the reliability on the measures used in the study, descriptive statistics was utilised to describe the sample, ANOVA and t-tests was used in order to determine if there were some noteworthy variances in the means of various demographic groupings for PsyCap and burnout. In order to determine the relationship between PsyCap and burnout, Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used. The study provides recommendations for schools and teachers, as well as, recommendations for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Lokotsch, Leila Valerie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Psychology, Industrial , Personnel management High school teachers -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/30940 , vital:31227
- Description: Psychological capital (Psycap) emerged from positive psychology and the recently developed positive organisational behaviour (POB) which focuses on the positive. The core construct of Psycap is made up of hope, self-efficacy, optimism and resilience. Job burnout is a persistent reaction to on-going emotional and interpersonal difficulties. Burnout is considered to be more of a dominant problem among teachers compared to other professions. Considerable research on Psycap has shown that Psycap is negatively linked to stress and burnout. To provide an overview, a quantitative approach was adopted by means of survey research and the type of study conducted was a correlational study. The purpose of this research was to first investigate the relationship between Psycap and burnout in secondary school teachers. The secondary objective was to provide recommendations related to Psycap and burnout based on the findings. In summary, the results of the study found that there are mostly negative relationships between PsyCap and burnout and their dimensions. The instruments ustilised were the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24) and the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI). These are self-report questionnaires and were completed by way of paper-and-pencil tests. Cronbach’s alpha was used to determine the reliability on the measures used in the study, descriptive statistics was utilised to describe the sample, ANOVA and t-tests was used in order to determine if there were some noteworthy variances in the means of various demographic groupings for PsyCap and burnout. In order to determine the relationship between PsyCap and burnout, Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used. The study provides recommendations for schools and teachers, as well as, recommendations for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between psychological capital, life satisfaction and employee retention
- Authors: Van Greuning, Hester
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee Retention Work -- Psychological aspects Job satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23847 , vital:30625
- Description: In order to achieve sustainable employer environments, South African organisations are faced with the challenge of retaining key and critical employee cohorts. Externally focused methods and models of turnover and retention fail to comprehensively explain the lack of highly skilled employees and the inability of organisations to successfully retain these employee groupings. This non experimental correlational study investigated the relationship and interaction between the positive psychological constructs of psychological capital and life satisfaction and employee turnover intention of a South African sample of specialist and management level employees (n=150). The survey method was utilised to gather data for the study with a biographical questionnaire, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire-12 (PCQ-12), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Turnover Intention Scale-6 (TIS-6). Data analysis was conducted in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics including frequency tables, Cronbach’s Alpha testing, exploratory factory analysis, correlation analysis, t-tests, analysis of variance and structural equation modelling. The results indicated that significant relationships exist between psychological capital, life satisfaction and employee turnover intention. A substantial negative relationship was found between psychological capital and employee turnover intention, as well as a small, yet definite negative relationship between life satisfaction and turnover intention. Even though the results indicated a substantial positive relationship between psychological capital and life satisfaction, the relationship with employee turnover intention was insignificant when the two variables were correlated. This study adds to the current body of knowledge regarding employee retention in South Africa, and allows for a number of future research avenues to be explored.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Van Greuning, Hester
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee Retention Work -- Psychological aspects Job satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23847 , vital:30625
- Description: In order to achieve sustainable employer environments, South African organisations are faced with the challenge of retaining key and critical employee cohorts. Externally focused methods and models of turnover and retention fail to comprehensively explain the lack of highly skilled employees and the inability of organisations to successfully retain these employee groupings. This non experimental correlational study investigated the relationship and interaction between the positive psychological constructs of psychological capital and life satisfaction and employee turnover intention of a South African sample of specialist and management level employees (n=150). The survey method was utilised to gather data for the study with a biographical questionnaire, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire-12 (PCQ-12), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Turnover Intention Scale-6 (TIS-6). Data analysis was conducted in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics including frequency tables, Cronbach’s Alpha testing, exploratory factory analysis, correlation analysis, t-tests, analysis of variance and structural equation modelling. The results indicated that significant relationships exist between psychological capital, life satisfaction and employee turnover intention. A substantial negative relationship was found between psychological capital and employee turnover intention, as well as a small, yet definite negative relationship between life satisfaction and turnover intention. Even though the results indicated a substantial positive relationship between psychological capital and life satisfaction, the relationship with employee turnover intention was insignificant when the two variables were correlated. This study adds to the current body of knowledge regarding employee retention in South Africa, and allows for a number of future research avenues to be explored.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationship between psychological capital,life satisfaction and employee retention
- Authors: Van Greuning, Hester
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee Retention , Work -- Psychological aspects , Job satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45712 , vital:38957
- Description: South African organisations are faced with the challenge of retaining key and critical employee cohorts. externally focused methods and models of turnover and retention fail to comprehensively explain the lack of highly skilled employees and the inability of organisations to successfully retain these employee groupings. This nonexperimental correlational study investigated the relationship and interaction between the positive psychological constructs of psychological capital and life satisfaction and employee turnover intention of a South African sample of specialist and management level employees (n=150). The survey method was utilised to gather data for the study with a biographical questionnaire, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire-12 (PCQ-12), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Turnover Intention Scale-6 (TIS-6). Data analysis was conducted in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics including frequency tables, Cronbach’s Alpha testing, exploratory factory analysis, correlation analysis, t-tests, analysis of variance and structural equation modelling. The results indicated that significant relationships exist between psychological capital, life satisfaction and employee turnover intention. A substantial negative relationship was found between psychological capital and employee turnover intention, as well as a small, yet definite negative relationship between life satisfaction and turnover intention. Even though the results indicated a substantial positive relationship between psychological capital and life satisfaction, the relationship with employee turnover intention was insignificant when the two variables were correlated. This study adds to the current body of knowledge regarding employee retention in South Africa, and allows for a number of future research avenues to be explored.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Van Greuning, Hester
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Employee Retention , Work -- Psychological aspects , Job satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/45712 , vital:38957
- Description: South African organisations are faced with the challenge of retaining key and critical employee cohorts. externally focused methods and models of turnover and retention fail to comprehensively explain the lack of highly skilled employees and the inability of organisations to successfully retain these employee groupings. This nonexperimental correlational study investigated the relationship and interaction between the positive psychological constructs of psychological capital and life satisfaction and employee turnover intention of a South African sample of specialist and management level employees (n=150). The survey method was utilised to gather data for the study with a biographical questionnaire, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire-12 (PCQ-12), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Turnover Intention Scale-6 (TIS-6). Data analysis was conducted in the form of descriptive and inferential statistics including frequency tables, Cronbach’s Alpha testing, exploratory factory analysis, correlation analysis, t-tests, analysis of variance and structural equation modelling. The results indicated that significant relationships exist between psychological capital, life satisfaction and employee turnover intention. A substantial negative relationship was found between psychological capital and employee turnover intention, as well as a small, yet definite negative relationship between life satisfaction and turnover intention. Even though the results indicated a substantial positive relationship between psychological capital and life satisfaction, the relationship with employee turnover intention was insignificant when the two variables were correlated. This study adds to the current body of knowledge regarding employee retention in South Africa, and allows for a number of future research avenues to be explored.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relationships between perceived competence, goal orientation and mind sets on the motivation to participate in sport at university
- Authors: Nel, Marcus Craig
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: College sports -- South Africa -- Makhanda , College students -- Attitudes , Sports -- Psychological aspects , Motivation (Psychology) , Competition (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61592 , vital:28040
- Description: The research sought to uncover the links that exist between perceived competence, goal orientations and mind sets with the motivation to participate in sports. The research was conducted in a South African university context and was comprised of 212 participants. Data was collected through the use of Sports Motivation Scale 6, Intrinsic Motivation Inventory: Perceived Competence Subscale, Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire and the Self-Theory Questionnaire. The participants completed the questionnaires using a pen and paper technique at their various sports practices. Data was collected and analysed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient in order to demonstrate the strength and nature of the relationships that existed between the variables. Findings generally supported previous findings. Using a deductive approach, the main findings found that various types of motivation based on Self-Determination Theory demonstrated a proportional relationship with task orientation and little to no relationship was found between motivation and ego orientation. The relationships between motivation and perceived competence were mixed, with the most significant relationship occurring between integrated regulation and perceived competence. Fixed mind sets also showed little to no relationship with motivation, whereas growth mind sets showed proportional relationships with the various kinds of motivation. Further relationships between these variables were also explained. It is recommended that data collection techniques are improved in future research. This research may be useful in indicating what factors are related to motivation to play sport at university.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Nel, Marcus Craig
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: College sports -- South Africa -- Makhanda , College students -- Attitudes , Sports -- Psychological aspects , Motivation (Psychology) , Competition (Psychology)
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/61592 , vital:28040
- Description: The research sought to uncover the links that exist between perceived competence, goal orientations and mind sets with the motivation to participate in sports. The research was conducted in a South African university context and was comprised of 212 participants. Data was collected through the use of Sports Motivation Scale 6, Intrinsic Motivation Inventory: Perceived Competence Subscale, Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire and the Self-Theory Questionnaire. The participants completed the questionnaires using a pen and paper technique at their various sports practices. Data was collected and analysed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient in order to demonstrate the strength and nature of the relationships that existed between the variables. Findings generally supported previous findings. Using a deductive approach, the main findings found that various types of motivation based on Self-Determination Theory demonstrated a proportional relationship with task orientation and little to no relationship was found between motivation and ego orientation. The relationships between motivation and perceived competence were mixed, with the most significant relationship occurring between integrated regulation and perceived competence. Fixed mind sets also showed little to no relationship with motivation, whereas growth mind sets showed proportional relationships with the various kinds of motivation. Further relationships between these variables were also explained. It is recommended that data collection techniques are improved in future research. This research may be useful in indicating what factors are related to motivation to play sport at university.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The relative importance of autochthony along the longitudinal gradient of a small South African river influenced by agricultural activities
- Moyo, Sydney, Richoux, Nicole B
- Authors: Moyo, Sydney , Richoux, Nicole B
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/454392 , vital:75340 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2018.e00082"
- Description: Generalisations about the sources of organic matter that support aquatic consumers are usually focussed on certain parts of the world (particularly the northern hemisphere) and large rivers, and therefore may not include the full spectrum of food webs that occur in the southern hemisphere (particularly those with high nitrogen inputs). We studied the relative importance of organic matter sources to macroinvertebrate consumers in a small South African river. Based on previous observations of our system of interest and other agricultural streams, we hypothesised that (a) the carbon fuelling consumers is primarily derived from autochthonous (in situ) food sources regardless of sampling time and, (b) the contribution of autochthonous basal resources to consumers increases in importance as the river widens (from upper to downstream reaches). To test these predictions, stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes were used to estimate the contributions of local algal and land-based production to aquatic macroinvertebrates over space (six sites) and time (four sampling occasions between November 2012 and September 2013) along the Kowie River, South Africa. Mixing models revealed that consumers in the upper reaches assimilated terrestrially-derived allochthonous organic matter, and consumers in the middle and lower reaches assimilated primarily autochthonous basal resources (macrophytes and algae). The isotopic values of consumers and their food sources changed over time, indicating that food sources and consumers should be analysed many times throughout the year to capture that variability and ensure that ephemeral components of the food web are not missed. Our results enhance the growing body of literature on the dynamics of riverine systems and indicate the importance of autochthony in a small temperate river with high nitrogen inputs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Moyo, Sydney , Richoux, Nicole B
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/454392 , vital:75340 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2018.e00082"
- Description: Generalisations about the sources of organic matter that support aquatic consumers are usually focussed on certain parts of the world (particularly the northern hemisphere) and large rivers, and therefore may not include the full spectrum of food webs that occur in the southern hemisphere (particularly those with high nitrogen inputs). We studied the relative importance of organic matter sources to macroinvertebrate consumers in a small South African river. Based on previous observations of our system of interest and other agricultural streams, we hypothesised that (a) the carbon fuelling consumers is primarily derived from autochthonous (in situ) food sources regardless of sampling time and, (b) the contribution of autochthonous basal resources to consumers increases in importance as the river widens (from upper to downstream reaches). To test these predictions, stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes were used to estimate the contributions of local algal and land-based production to aquatic macroinvertebrates over space (six sites) and time (four sampling occasions between November 2012 and September 2013) along the Kowie River, South Africa. Mixing models revealed that consumers in the upper reaches assimilated terrestrially-derived allochthonous organic matter, and consumers in the middle and lower reaches assimilated primarily autochthonous basal resources (macrophytes and algae). The isotopic values of consumers and their food sources changed over time, indicating that food sources and consumers should be analysed many times throughout the year to capture that variability and ensure that ephemeral components of the food web are not missed. Our results enhance the growing body of literature on the dynamics of riverine systems and indicate the importance of autochthony in a small temperate river with high nitrogen inputs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018