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Feasibility of blue energy production using reverse electrodialysis In KwaZulu-Natal coastal region : modelling study using Comsol multiphysics
Get PDFSubmitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering: Chemical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.Renewable energies have gained an increasing focus in recent years, due to the climate crisis contributed or associated with the current energy generation sources in South Africa. Thus, in this thesis, a renewable energy source called salinity gradient energy or blue energy will be presented and studied. The main objectives outlined in this dissertation were to evaluate the theoretical potential of electric energy production from the KwaZulu Natal rivers which are uThukela, uMvoti, uMkhomazi, Amanzimtoti, Umgeni, and uMfolozi. Finally, to optimize and simulate RED membrane and design reverse electrodialysis membranes and feeding pumps. In terms of the theoretical potential for producing electricity in the studied estuaries, it was concluded that the uThukela estuary has a considerably higher potential than the others. So, by this information, the possibility of designing the pilot plant in this estuary was studied, noting that the location of the pilot plant where the energy produced is greater and the capital cost are lower is at the mouth of the uThukela river. As for the pilot plant of RED, it was concluded that it is economically viable since the profit/loss found was R0 which is a break-even point, the plant is not generating a profit, but it’s also not generating a loss and since the focus for now is to try generating power. It’s economically viable in the sense that it covers its costs, but it is not profitable in terms of generating surplus revenue. It was concluded that using cheap and very thin membranes with high fluxes can increase the performance of the reverse electrodialysis. Also, the performance can be increased by using more than two reverse electrodialysis stacks instead of one.
A critical assessment of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on construction education, teaching and learning in South Africa
Get PDFA research thesis submitted in fulfilment of the academic requirements of Master of the Built Environment at the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.The emergence of the global pandemic Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease was confirmed by the
National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) on the 5th of March 2020. Across the world,
the outbreak of the COVID-19 has challenged the education system such that academic institutions
have been struggling with ways of delivering education safely and affordably to prevent the spread
of the virus. This stimulated the need for higher education institutions to fully adopt the online
learning approach in teaching and learning (T&L).
Unfortunately, the sudden shift from the traditional approach of teaching to an online mode of
teaching and learning has given rise to new problems due to the unpreparedness of society to face
sudden change. This study aims to examine the impacts that the new online teaching and learning
methods have on students with a view to proffering possible measures of improving the teaching and
learning in this era of digital platform among the construction management and quantity surveying
students in South Africa tertiary education institutions. The study adopted a mixed research method
approach using a questionnaire for quantitative and semi-structured interview instruments for the
qualitative aspect of the research. A total of seventy-seven (77) questionnaires were obtained from
construction students within the Construction Management Quantity Surveying department at the
Durban University of Technology. The target participants for this study. In addition, six (6) academic
staff were interviewed to get the qualitative data for the study. Both quantitative and qualitative data
were collected simultaneously but were analysed separately. The quantitative data from the
questionnaire were analysed through descriptive and exploratory factor analysis utilising Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28. While the qualitative data from the semi structured interview were analysed thematicall The overall findings of this study showed that changing from face-to-face to online learning during
the pandemic had a major impact on students’ performance. The key findings from quantitative results
indicated that the transition from face-to-face to online has resulted in various challenges or setbacks
such as technical problems associated with internet connectivity, lack of skills training, psychological
setbacks associated with mental health, social setbacks and infrastructure support. This study
discovered these challenges are crucial towards the academic performance of students and the
successful implementation of online learning. Furthermore, the results of the qualitative analysis
concluded that class attendance, internet connections, lack of technical skills and lack of infrastructure
support are key challenges facing the delivery of online learning during the pandemic and the
academic performance of the students. These findings were in line with findings of quantitative
analysis. Other challenges that contributed to poor performance are, that students were isolated, and
they couldn’t collaborate. The study also revealed lack of proper devices for online learning such as
laptops and cell phones affected students and the delivery of online learning. The findings of this
study also highlighted measures that can be implemented to improve online T&L during the COVID 19 pandemic. From the findings of this study, it was evident that there is a need for proper training in
skills on how to use online platforms. Other measures included: the provision of infrastructure support
such as computers, laptops and enough data provision of counselling for students and academic staff
to maintain the state of mental health, introduction of learning management systems such as blended
learning, distance learning and massive open online courses. Globally higher education institutions
have demonstrated resilience in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study
recommends that online learning should be promoted by the government and university policymakers
thus this will help to enhance the practice among students and academics also working towards the
Industrial Revolution. This will be achieved through assuring that.
The competence skills required by students and lecturers to utilise the technological functions of
online learning, the provision of infrastructure support, quality assurance and different learning
management systems such as blended learning are being prioritised
Academic integrity in the information age : insights from health sciences students at a South African University
No full textPurpose
Academic integrity is vital to the success and sustainability of the academic project and particularly critical in the training of ethical and informed health professionals. Yet studies have found that cheating in online exams was commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the increased use of online and blended learning post-COVID-19, an understanding of student cheating dynamics is essential for developing effective strategies to combat academic dishonesty in the rapidly changing educational landscape.Design/methodology/approachThis study explored academic integrity and reasons for dishonesty from the perspective of health sciences students at a South African University of Technology (UOT) via the Fraud Diamond. To gain an in-depth understanding of the topic, a qualitative method was employed, and data were collected via focus group discussions with nine student class representatives. These data were analysed thematically using the Clarke and Braun approach.FindingsCheating during online assessment was common and innovative, with students manipulating others and exploiting friendships to facilitate dishonest practices. Student motivations for dishonesty included a lack of consequences and pressure due to a lack of time management, engagement and preparation.Practical implicationsThis study underscores the need for institutions to adopt an adaptable, multi-faceted approach that addresses student cheating opportunity, motivation and normalisation of dishonest practices whilst strengthening academic integrity policies and enforcement thereof.Originality/valueThe findings contribute valuable insights into the ongoing academic integrity crisis in higher education in the South African context
Nexus between small and medium-sized enterprise budgeting skills and loan repayment in South Africa
Get PDFThis study’s purpose is to assess the influence of small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) budgeting skills on loan repayment in South Africa. The quantitative research approach was selected as the appropriate methodology for this study, while the purposive sampling approach was selected as the appropriate way to select participants for this study. The primary data for this study came from respondents who were business owners of SMEs in the retail, hardware, construction, and manufacturing industries. SPSS was used to analyze the acquired data. A total of 380 research questionnaires were distributed, and there were 375 that were returned for analysis (which gives a response rate of 99%). Both a regression analysis and a correlation analysis using Pearson’s method were carried out. Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed a positive and significant relationship between SMEs’ budgeting skills and loan repayment at the level of r =.250, p < 0.0005. These results were supported by the finding that there is a positive and significant association between these two factors. According to the findings of the study, it is recommended that financial providers educate their SMEs on how to prepare various types of budgets, how to follow up and compare their financial objectives to their performance, and that financial institutions and government organizations should assist SMEs with budgeting skills to decrease SME loan defaults.</jats:p
Sustaining small and medium-sized enterprises through financial awareness, access to digital finance in South Africa
Get PDFSmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have several critical challenges that threaten their capacity to survive and thrive. However, access and awareness to digital platform is fundamental to moderate the financial costs and develop financial productivity and sustain SMEs financially. Considering this, the purpose of this study is to get empirical information on the level of management awareness and usage of digital platforms in SMEs in South Africa. The methodological framework included a quantitative research strategy and positivist paradigm. Purposive sampling was utilized to collect data from 321 out of 700 SMEs owners, and the Cochran formula was used to explain the sample size. There were 321 surveys sent out, and 304 were filled out and returned (95% response rate). Descriptive analysis, Pearson’s correlation, and regression analyses from the Statistical Package for Social Sciences were used. The results of Pearson’s correlation coefficient establish a statistically significant relationship between access to digital finances and SME Sustainability (r = 0.334), as well as a statistically significant relationship between financial awareness and SME Sustainability (r = 0.549). The findings alert SMEs managers of the need to improve their digital platforms awareness in order to meet current financial demands and make better informed financial choices to improve company success. The results explain the advantages of trading using many digital platforms available in the country to improve the performance of their enterprises
Factors affecting small and medium-sized enterprises financial resilience post Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa
Get PDFThis research paper aims to investigate the factors influencing the financial resilience of SMEs in South Africa in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study focuses on three primary factors: access to loans, the interest rates applied to these loans, and the structure of repayment plans. To achieve this purpose, a quantitative research methodology, guided by the positivism philosophical framework, was employed. The research selected 310 respondents who were SME owners representing various sectors. The data collection and analysis methods primarily involved multivariate regression analysis. The research revealed that access to loans, interest rates on loans, and the design of repayment plans exerted positive and statistically significant effects on the financial resilience of SMEs in the post-COVID-19 period. These factors displayed probability values of 0.005 and absolute values of 0.448, 0.456, and 0.432, respectively. These findings underscore the crucial role of these factors in determining the financial stability of SMEs. The study's implications are twofold. First, it suggests that financial institutions should streamline the process for SMEs to access financing, making it more accessible and accommodating. Furthermore, these institutions should tailor loan repayment options to better align with the unique needs of SMEs. Second, the research underscores the importance of offering financial education and support services to assist SMEs in enhancing their financial management skills and adaptability within the post-pandemic economic landscape.</jats:p
Impact of sustainable supply chain in Ghana's pharmaceutical sector on upstream pharmaceutical industry
Get PDFPurposes: In today's business landscape, success isn't solely reliant on financial goals. Adapting to the global economy is crucial for a company's viability. Stakeholders prioritize business sustainability, evident in empirical studies exploring sustainable supply chain management theories in the sector. The study aimed to assess how Sustainable Supply Chain in Ghana's Pharmaceutical Sector influences firm performance within the upstream industry. Method: The study was conducted in the accessible southern part of Ghana, known for its concentration of pharmaceutical companies. Specifically, individuals involved in procurement and supply chain activities within these companies were selected for inclusion in the study. The study used quantitative methods to explore Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) in the upstream pharmaceutical industry. Out of 2000, 210 managers were randomly sampled, and SPSS Version 26 was employed for structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis. Results and Conclusion: The study found that there was a significant relationship between SSCM and supply chain performance (SSCMP). Besides, the study found moderation impact between Top Management Commitment (TMC) and SSCM and SSCMP respectively. Pharmaceutical companies should not solely focus on economic performance; rather, strategic efforts and policies must prioritize sustainability. Top management commitment is crucial for enhancing supply chain performance. Their dedication ensures the integration of Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) with strategic objectives, embedding sustainability across the entire supply chain, from procurement to distribution. Research Implication: Top management should drive sustainability strategy, integrating it into operations and fostering a culture of sustainability for robust Sustainable Supply Chain Management in the pharmaceutical upstream sector.Originality/Value: the study leverages on the theoretical understanding of upper echelon theory to provide empirical evidence on the impact of top management commitments on performance of supply chain which hitherto has been scarcely deployed in recent yearsPurposes: In today's business landscape, success isn't solely reliant on financial goals. Adapting to the global economy is crucial for a company's viability. Stakeholders prioritize business sustainability, evident in empirical studies exploring sustainable supply chain management theories in the sector. The study aimed to assess how Sustainable Supply Chain in Ghana's Pharmaceutical Sector influences firm performance within the upstream industry.
Method: The study was conducted in the accessible southern part of Ghana, known for its concentration of pharmaceutical companies. Specifically, individuals involved in procurement and supply chain activities within these companies were selected for inclusion in the study. The study used quantitative methods to explore Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) in the upstream pharmaceutical industry. Out of 2000, 210 managers were randomly sampled, and SPSS Version 26 was employed for structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis.
Results and Conclusion: The study found that there was a significant relationship between SSCM and supply chain performance (SSCMP). Besides, the study found moderation impact between Top Management Commitment (TMC) and SSCM and SSCMP respectively. Pharmaceutical companies should not solely focus on economic performance; rather, strategic efforts and policies must prioritize sustainability. Top management commitment is crucial for enhancing supply chain performance. Their dedication ensures the integration of Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) with strategic objectives, embedding sustainability across the entire supply chain, from procurement to distribution.
Research Implication: Top management should drive sustainability strategy, integrating it into operations and fostering a culture of sustainability for robust Sustainable Supply Chain Management in the pharmaceutical upstream sector.
Originality/Value: the study leverages on the theoretical understanding of upper echelon theory to provide empirical evidence on the impact of top management commitments on performance of supply chain which hitherto has been scarcely deployed in recent years
An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference scheme for defect detection and classification of solar Pv cells
Get PDFThis research paper presents an innovative approach for defect detection and classification of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells using the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) technique. As solar energy continues to be a vital component of the global renewable energy mix, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of PV systems is paramount. Detecting and classifying defects in PV cells are crucial steps toward ensuring optimal performance and longevity of solar panels. Traditional defect detection and classification methods often face challenges in providing precise and adaptable solutions to this complex problem. In this study the researchers pose an ANFIS-based scheme that combines the strengths of neural networks and fuzzy logic to accurately identify and classify various types of defects in solar PV cells. The adaptive learning mechanism of ANFIS enables the model to continuously adapt to changes in operating conditions ensuring robust and reliable defect detection capabilities. The ANFIS model was developed and implemented using MATLAB and a high predicting accuracy was achieved
Financial bootstrapping as a sustainable livelihood alternative for agricultural co-operatives in an emerging economy
No full textThere is a scarcity of scholarly literature relating to financial bootstrapping in emerging economies, especially the use by co operatives in general and agricultural co-operatives in particular. As such, the financial bootstrapping methods used by agricultural co operatives in South Africa, an emerging economy, remain unknown (Rwekaza, 2021; Zantsi, 2021). The aim of this study is to determine the financial bootstrapping methods used by agricultural co-operatives. This study was undergirded by pragmatism, which allowed and guided the adoption of mixed-methods research. The qualitative aspect was given more priority or weight in answering the research questions, making it a quan → QUAL design. The study consisted of 52 agricultural co-operatives located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was found that agricultural co-operatives practised some of the bootstrapping methods, especially those related to owner-related financing. However, there is little or no evidence of bootstrapping practices related to sharing resources and minimising capital invested in stock and accounts receivable. The co-operatives stifled their growth as they employed counter-bootstrapping activities caused mainly by their unsubstantiated beliefs. This research furnishes rural cooperatives with operational capital-enhancing guidelines that promote succes
Public relations as a strategic management function in selected organizations in Accra, Ghana
No full textIt is often advocated that, in order to realize its full potential, public relations should be an integral part of strategic management decision-making in organizations. Some experts have backed this advocacy with the argument that public relations (PR) professionals' skills of interpretation and counseling place them in a position to make a significant contribution to strategy in organizations. The goal of this research was to investigate whether PR practitioners play a strategic management role in selected organizations and to find out how practitioners contribute to organizational objectives, goals, strategies and policies. It also investigated the challenges militating against the effective practice of PR as a management function in selected organizations as well as the perceptions top managers have about the role PR plays in the overall success of organizations. The study used the qualitative descriptive approach. In all, eight PR practitioners and three top-level managers from insurance, manufacturing, construction, and a public institution were interviewed. Data was later transcribed and thematically analyzed. The results showed that PR was instituted as a topmanagement function in one organization but as a middle-level management function in the three other organizations. However, all PR practitioners participated in organizational decision-making. The study also found that the barriers that prevented the effective institution of PR as a stand-alone department and as a top-management function in the organizations studied were: Misconceptions about PR, the size of the organization, the mission of the organization as a barrier and the personal capabilities of the PR practitioner. Top managers interviewed exhibited an understanding of the PR function and considered it as key to organizational success. Practitioners could thus ride on this to gain the attention and the positions they want in their organizations. The study recommends that there be constant evaluation of PR activities to provide evidence for the value PR brings to organizations