Browsing by Subject "Management Studies"
Now showing 1 - 20 of 41
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- ItemOpen AccessA theory evaluation and programme implementer decision analysis for two therapy-driven programmes operating in the disability and rehabilitation sector(2018) Minne, Lara; Duffy, CarrenThis dissertation focused on two therapy-driven programmes operating in the disability and rehabilitation sector in the Western Cape, South Africa. One programme is an inclusive education programme with a classroom component and parenting component to it and the other is a vocational rehabilitation programme. These two programmes, implemented by the Chaeli Campaign (CC), are aligned with the community-based rehabilitation model of service delivery. These programmes are implemented by personnel with a variety of qualifications, including community workers and occupational therapists. Key goals for programmes of this nature are to ensure that all persons with disabilities are active participants of socio-economic life, to ensure that the rights and dignity of all persons are respected and upheld and to reintegrate persons with disabilities into family and community life. Another goal of these programmes is to transfer skills from highly-skilled professionals to workers with less training and lay persons. With respect to the last mentioned goal, the skills required to services persons with disabilities are redistributed, so that professionals such as occupational therapists are no longer solely responsible for serving these persons. Both programmes under evaluation in this document are implemented either exclusively or with help from occupational therapists. Problem Statement: The problem statement is made up of two components. First, the underlying programme theories of the two therapy-driven programmes were not well articulated. According to CC’s director, this poor articulation made it difficult for programme staff to describe their programmes to potential programme donors. Second, the organisation struggles to obtain funding from potential programme donors to finance the use of occupational therapists in their programmes. The difficulty in obtaining funding is assumed to be due to potential donors’ belief that these programmes could be implemented at a reduced cost by community workers. Method: The evaluator decided to conduct two programme evaluations to address the two aspects mentioned in the problem statement. First, programme theory evaluations were done to address the poor articulation of the programmes’ theories. The programme theory evaluation aimed to elicit and articulate the underlying logic of each of the programmes, thus enabling the evaluator to assess their plausibility. Following this, three multi-criteria decision analyses (MCDAs) using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) were conducted. The MCDAs were intended to establish which implementer (an occupational therapist or a community worker) is most preferred by CC’s current programme stakeholders. The participants of the MCDA included programme beneficiaries, current programme donors, field experts, programme facilitators and programme staff. Results: Programme theories were made explicit and articulated. These were then depicted as logic models. Results indicate that when assessed against social science and evaluation literature, the programme theories elicited in this dissertation are plausible. The MCDA results indicate that programme stakeholders prefer occupational therapists for technical aspects of programme delivery and prefer community workers for psychosocial aspects of rehabilitation, such as relationship-building and providing emotional support. Of note is that stakeholders weighted the perceived benefits of occupational therapists and community workers as more important than the costs associated with each implementer. The results from the MCDA highlight that programme stakeholders perceive the benefits of implementers (occupational therapists and community workers) to be more important than their associated costs. The evaluator assessed these results against social science literature and found that in general, stakeholders value benefits more than costs of implementing personnel. Recommendations: Recommendations are made to the organisation to describe their programmes’ theories more coherently and more clearly express their need for both community workers and occupational therapists Conclusions: Rather than considering cost, potential donors should consider that occupational therapists and community workers serve specific purposes in programme implementation. Their purpose, rather than their cost, should be prioritised in order for programmes to be effective. The field should be made aware of this disjuncture, while costs are important considerations, stakeholders in the field of disability and rehabilitation should not compromise on the quality of services in order to reduce programme costs.
- ItemOpen AccessAdvertising to low-income consumers: portrayals of women in Drum magazine advertisements 1981-2010(2011) Jere, Mlenga Golden; Burgess, Steven MichaelThis research examines the portrayal of women as message sources in advertisements appearing in Drum magazine 1981-2010, an important time period that captures South Africa's transition from Apartheid rule to a time when the equality of women has been recognised more formally.
- ItemOpen AccessAnalysts' forecast as rational expectations of company earnings(2004) Brooke, GeoffreyIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 119-125).
- ItemOpen AccessAntecedents of work-family conflict among Hindu working women in South Africa: stressors, social support, and cultural values(2014) Jaga, Ameeta; Bagraim, JeffreyLittle is known about the antecedents of work-family conflict (WFC) among Hindu working women in South Africa, a minority subgroup shaped by a unique set of historical, political, and cultural dynamics. Responding to repeated calls in the literature for the examination of work-family issues in unique cultural contexts, this study began with 20 in-depth interviews to elicit the subjective meaning that Hindu women in South Africa give to their work-family experiences. The qualitative data were analysed adhering to the principles of thematic analysis. These findings, together with a review of extant literature, were used to develop a new and culturally nuanced explanatory model of the antecedents of WFC for this specific context. The antecedents of WFC in the explanatory model include role stressors, sources of social support, and specific individual-level cultural variables. The study’s propositions were tested with survey data from 317 respondents. Psychometric analyses confirmed the portability of the measures and the bi-directional nature of WFC; work-to-family conflict and family- to-work conflict. Multiple regression analyses showed that a significant amount of variability in work-to-family conflict and family-to work conflict were explained by within- domain and cross-domain role stressors; with work overload having the strongest predictive effect on both directions of WFC. The results further highlight the salience of family in Hindu culture, noting that family involvement functioned as an important resource in reducing both directions of WFC and that food-work overload had a distinctive effect on WFC as a significant within-domain and cross-domain stressor. Results of further moderated multiple regression analyses confirmed co-worker support as an important resource for alleviating work-to-family conflict and for buffering the negative effects that work stressors can have on work-to-family conflict. Likewise, the results confirmed spousal support as an important resource for reducing family- to-work conflict; however, paid domestic support increased family- to-work conflict directly and when interacting with food-work overload. Moderated multiple regression analyses additionally showed that work involvement interacted significantly with gender role ideology in predicting work-to-family conflict and that family hierarchy orientation interacted significantly with family involvement in predicting family- to-work conflict. Overall, the results of this study strengthen the argument for the importance of uncovering and examining culturally salient variables in work-family research.
- ItemOpen AccessAPIL-SV as a predictor of job perfomance in a South African financial consulting firm(2008) Strachan, Emma J; van Lill, BurgerIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 44-46).
- ItemOpen AccessThe art market, its intermediaries and the components of value of art works in an historical perspective(1993) Stevenson, MichaelThe dissertation begins with an historical overview of aspects of the Western art market, and continues with a discussion of financial and economic aspects of the art market. Throughout the factors and intermediaries that come into play in the determination of economic value and the price of exchange are considered. There are two common threads to the dissertation in relation to both art history and financial theory: firstly, the analysis of the role of intermediaries and institutions; and secondly, the valuation of art works in relation to the Components of Value of art works. In the Introduction the concept of intermediation in the context of the art market is discussed, as is the financial and economic definition of an art work. The historical overview that follows is a descriptive analysis of the various support systems and intermediaries in the Western art market from the Renaissance through to the late twentieth century, the guilds, patrons, academies, and dealers, that have and still do function as intermediaries to expedite the transfer of works of art in primary and secondary markets. Five art markets have been selected to provide an historical overview of the structure and functioning of the Western art market. These are Italy in the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries [Chapter One]; the Low Countries in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries [Chapter Two]; England from the seventeenth through to the late nineteenth centuries [Chapter Three]; France from the seventeenth to the early twentieth centuries [Chapter Four]; and the U.S.A. in the late nineteenth and the twentieth centuries [Chapter Five]. These periods and geographical locations have been chosen to draw attention to the historical shifts in the structure and functioning in the art market. In Chapter Six the Components of Value of art works through history and in the art market of recent years are analysed. The Components of Value are those factors, aesthetic, historical, economic, and otherwise that, depending on the art work and period in which it is exchanged, influence the economic value of art works. This chapter then considers in detail the range of Components of Value that each contribute in a different manner to the price of exchange. The concluding chapter provides an analysis of the 'supply' of art works in. terms of the suppliers, the artists; and the demand, the consumers; and the linking of the supply and demand by art market intermediaries in terms of the Components of Value.
- ItemOpen AccessThe asset allocation puzzle with special reference to the asset allocations of financial advisors in South Africa(2006) Mendecka, MagdaIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 52-53).
- ItemOpen AccessCan a proxy for international investor sentiment towards emerging markets be identified?(2003) Bhala, Satish Kumar; Abraham, HaimInternational portfolio diversification is an area of popular academic interest. Most of the research is based on linkages between developed markets or between developed markets and emerging markets. Emerging markets have only been a feature of research for periods of crisis and contagion such as the emerging market crisis of 1997 and 1998. The common argument used to explain the cause of the stock market linkages is based on economic slowdowns (or deep-recession), large balance of payment problems or other macro-economic problems in the emerging markets. Contagion or herding behaviour is an alternative explanation to the cause of the co-movement of emerging markets. Contagion or Herding behaviour is based on the assumption that it is too costly to acquire information. Investors thus remain uninformed in the countries in which they invest. Investors try to infer future movements in one market based on how the rest of the market is reacting. The uniformed investors follow the supposedly informed investor. These information frictions can make investors follow the market, rather than take the time and expense to make their own assessments about the market fundamentals. This research aims to identify countries that are regarded as similar by international investors. Countries that are regarded as similar can be grouped together to form separate clusters. This research attempts to ascertain as whether there has been any change of perceptions since the emerging market crisis of 1997 and 1998, hence any change in the composition of above-mentioned clusters.
- ItemOpen AccessCareer psychology factors as antecedents of career success of women academics in South Africa(2007) Riordan, Sarah; Louw-Potgieter, JohaThe difference in career success among male and female academics is welldocumented and a number of qualitative studies have offered explanations about the challenges faced by women academics. This study provided an empirical investigation into the relationship between selected career psychology variables and the career success of women academics in South Africa. This research employed organisational theory to explain career success. The impact of work centrality, motivation, career anchors and self-efficacy on career success was examined. Care-giving responsibility was included as a moderating variable on work centrality. The examination of career theory and the testing of these particular career variables in relation to the career success of academic women have not been conducted before in South Africa. Other studies in the field have typically been qualitative in nature or have focused on explanations why women are often unsuccessful in academia. Those few studies that address success amongst academic women have been conducted outside of South Africa and thus offer findings from a different context. This study builds on this previous body of knowledge by examining the constructs empirically.
- ItemOpen AccessComparing GARCH models for gold price data, using a statistical loss function approach and an option pricing approach(2011) Cuningham, Blake; Kotze, KevinDerivative instruments that rely on the price of gold are traded in large volumes. A significant number of these instruments are influenced by the volatility of gold price movements. Hence, it is important to understand the volatility of this commodity when developing successful trading and hedging strategies. In this thesis, use is made of various GARCH models that are evaluated using both in-sample and out-of-sample criteria.
- ItemOpen AccessComparing the use of technology-based vs traditional team building interventions in developing group problem-solving and learning behaviours: insights from two experimental studies(2021) Sellier, Matthew; Schlechter, AntonThe increasing reliance on technology for communication seems to have shown that nontechnology or traditional team building activities may not be effective in improving certain interpersonal skills (Klein et al., 2009). The researcher investigated whether the use of a serious game, i.e. an educational video game, is a better mode of delivery to improve group problem solving, team cohesiveness, team learning behaviours and, perceived team psychological safety rather than traditional team building intervention, i.e. a non-technology-based team building intervention (Emsley & Rumeser, 2018; Edmondson, 1999). The researcher conducted two post test only quasi-experiments to compare the methods of team-building. In Study 1, four teams of university students (n=15 total students) took part in either a serious game or a traditional team building intervention. The serious game was based on a scavenger hunt mobile application while the traditional team building activity was an obstacle course. Each team was assessed, after the team building interventions, on their group problem-solving skills and team cohesiveness in order to determine if there was a significant difference between the scores of the two dimensions above for intervention groups. Study 2 consisted of six teams of university students (n=30 total students) participated in either a traditional online team-building activity or an online team-based serious game. The traditional online team-building activity was a spectrum mapping activity, and the online team-based serious game was an online escape room. Each team then participated in the same thought experiment and were finally asked to answer a questionnaire. Furthermore, a field researcher participated in both activities and her experiences were noted through an interview. There did not seem to be sufficient evidence to support the hypotheses for the second quasi experiment. However, the was evidence collected throughout both quasi-experiments that suggests that serious games are more enjoyed by participants and there seems to be a clearer initiative to utilise the interpersonal skills acquired in the future.
- ItemOpen AccessCompetencies, capabilities, and relational factors in buyer-supplier Business-to-Business networks(2012) Human, Gert Johannes Pretorius; Simpson, JohnMost of today's knowledge of Business-to-Business marketing is grounded on studies conducted in so-called western countries. Recently some researchers have started to question the validity of concepts, ideas and measures conceived in developed markets to explain business marketing phenomena in non-western contexts. Moreover research has attributed this gap in the literature on the relative absence of Business-to-Business marketing research from emerging, non-western countries (see, for example, Biggemann and Fam, 2011.) In emerging markets firms also operate in large networks that contains multiple, complex, direct and indirect business relationships among buyers and sellers. The thesis draws on four different empirical studies to integrate key sets of knowledge spawned from the realms of the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing group (IMP) to observe Business-to-Business relationships in a South African context.
- ItemOpen AccessThe construction of a price index for the South African Medical Scheme Industry(2010) Ramjee, Shivani; Dorrington, RobA methodology is proposed for constructing a price index that reflects the change in the prices of the goods and services purchased by medical schemes in South Africa. The methodological choices were made taking cognisance of the unique characteristics of the South African medical scheme environment, both in terms of the factors influencing the mix of goods and services purchased by medical schemes, as well as the factors affecting price determination. An example of a pharmaceutical price index was constructed to illustrate the proposed methodology, the results of which are presented. Whilst the proposed methodology provides a base for creating a meaningful and useful medical scheme price index there is considerable further work that needs to be done to refine the methodology.
- ItemOpen AccessA cut too deep? A qualitative enquiry into the experience of multiple organisational restructurings in the South African oil industry: a case study(2017) Tooke, Janet; Goodman, Suki; Schlechter, AntonThis dissertation reports the findings of a study which sought to investigate the experiences of people who were exposed to multiple restructurings in the South African oil industry. Although there is a substantial amount of research on restructurings worldwide, an extensive review of available literature highlighted a dearth of research on multiple restructurings. Investigation of this research question was undertaken using a case study and qualitative research method. In-depth interviews of six employees of an oil company in South Africa were undertaken. Through these interviews, the personal experiences of employees who had been exposed to multiple restructurings were analysed. Similarly, interviews were undertaken with two members of senior management responsible for the implementation of a number of the restructurings. Their interview responses provided insight into the company's rationale for undertaking multiple restructurings. The results of the research indicated that distrust and cynicism grew amongst employees with repeated exposure to restructurings. The interview participants perceived that many remaining employees suffered from feelings of survivor's guilt and low morale and results indicated that the company did little to assist these employees to cope with these feelings. The research findings indicated that loss of corporate memory created role ambiguity and tension between departments as portfolios were redistributed amongst employees. Employee workloads were dramatically increased resulting in further stress and stress-related health problems, absenteeism and resignation. Participants of the research believed that the senior leadership team were ill-equipped to run a restructuring process and the employee consultation process appeared to do nothing to improve employees' trust in management. The results of this research highlighted the perception of the participants that repeated restructurings fail to achieve performance improvement at companies. Instead, the results indicated that repeated restructurings appear to lead to poor employee morale, resultant poor productivity and a high level of intention to quit. Companies should explore alternatives before embarking on a restructuring process as a first choice to alleviate cost pressures (Burke and Nelson, 1997; Von Krogh & Kameny, 2002). Where restructuring is inevitable, it is a recommendation of this research that training and counselling of remaining employees be given priority to assist with the management of stress and other symptoms of survivor sickness.
- ItemOpen AccessDecentralisation in South African local government : a critical evaluation(2011) Siddle, Andrew McCalman; Koelble, ThomasThe South African local government model is considered to be decentralised in character, incorporating various constitutional, policy and statutory instruments to enable local government to achieve its constitutionally mandated developmental objectives. Yet local government is widely viewed as being in a state of crisis. Many municipalities are seen as dysfunctional and incapable of performing their duties. The hypothesis underlying this study is that the effective application of the principles of decentralisation, to the extent that they have been incorporated in the constitutional, policy and regulatory framework of local government in South Africa, is endangered by a lack of commitment to the concept of decentralisation by central government and by the failure by municipalities to implement at local level those rules, systems, mechanisms, powers and functions which are intended to reflect the principles of decentralisation; and that the achievement of the constitutional objectives of local government is thereby in turn endangered.
- ItemOpen AccessThe determinants and outcomes of user commitment to mandatory information system change(2011) Schneider, Matthias H M; Bagraim, JeffreyWinning the commitment and support of employees for organisational transformation is a major objective of the leaders of organisational change. However, the determinants and outcomes of employee commitment to organisational change (Herscovitch & Meyer, 2002) are still not yet fully understood, especially with regard to a mandatory information system change in a non-Western environment.
- ItemOpen AccessDoing entrepreneurship in Uganda : the social construction of gendered identities among male and female entrepreneurs(2006) Kikooma, Julius Fred; van Lill, Burger; Jeff, BagraimIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 157-189)
- ItemOpen AccessThe effect of EPAs on the dairy sector in Zambia(2009) Mwananshiku, Pam; Ryan, TomThe study's objective was to analyze the effect of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) on the dairy sector through the use of the grounded theory process. The central thread of reasoning in the entire paper is based on the S-C-Q-A-R-E Situation, Concern, Question, Answer, Rationale and Evaluation] principle. The Situation is that Zambia has chosen to negotiate the EPAs under the group called Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) configuration comprising 16 member countries that belong to COMESA with the exclusion of Egypt, Libya and Tanzania. Out or the six main areas of negotiations, Agriculture has been one or the most contentious clusters because of the high levels of subsidies on the part of the EU and it is also one of the sectors ESA has considered to be a sensitive sector. Because of the high levels of subsidies on various agricultural products on the part of the EL, milk and its products have been placed under the sensitive product list meaning that the region will not reduce tariffs on this as a way of protection.
- ItemOpen AccessEffect of first impressions on student evaluations of lecturers(2011) Kinnear, Zeleika A; Meyer, InesAcademic institutions (particularly historically White tertiary institutions) are experiencing challenges in attracting and retaining Black African and femail academic staff. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Black African academic staff at historically White universities in South Africa experience more resistance from students than White staff do. This study consequently investigated whether students rate lecturers differently on first impression, based on the lecturers' and students' race and gender.
- ItemOpen AccessAn empirical study on the determinants of net investment flows of South African General Equity unit trusts(2004) Rudman, Riaan J; Wormald, MichaelIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 82-88).