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Working remotely: determining the influence on mental wellbeing of leaders within the banking industry during COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic forced employees in the banking industry in South Africa to work remotely, which resulted in significant changes to their work environment. Previously, employees worked from branches and regional offices, however, during COVID-19 lockdown, employees had to transform their homes into office spaces. This sudden shift brought about challenges such as blurred boundaries between personal and professional life, and isolation for leaders who previously enjoyed dynamic work environments; moreover, leaders experienced increased stress and pressure to navigate the uncertainties of the pandemic while maintaining a strong face for their teams. The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of remote work on the mental wellbeing of leaders in the banking industry, specifically focusing on a large financial institution in South Africa. The study aims to provide recommendations to improve leadership mental wellbeing within the organisation. The researcher used positivism as the research philosophy, for its emphasis on objectivity, empirical evidence, and the use of quantitative research methods. The chosen research design was correlation, as it allowed for the examination of relationships between variables or sets of scores. Quantitative research was preferred, for this study, for its systematic and objective analysis of a large sample size. The target demographic consisted of 2500 leaders, nationwide, who worked as regional or branch managers for financial institutions in South Africa. The study employed a simple random sampling approach, as this ensured an equal chance of selection for each member of the target population. A total of 126 participants successfully completed the survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the collected data into graphs and tables, so as to determine relationships and patterns within the data. Inferential statistics were used to derive predictions or generalisations from the data collected on the target group. The respondents reported that they had positive encounters with their leaders who provided recommendations, support, problem-solving, and listened to their private feelings. They were happy with their jobs, had clear career paths, and knew their job requirements. The respondents believed the company communicated its goals and strategy well. They also indicated that they had good workspace conditions, as well as access to video conferencing, software, and messaging services. Respondents emphasised job autonomy and control — that is, being able to decide how to do their jobs and communicate. They found their work satisfying and were comfortable voicing their thoughts, even if they disagreed with others. They valued personal growth, positive relationships, purpose and meaning in life, and self-acceptance. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of remote work, self-care, and meaningful relationships. The participants provided financial institutions with suggestions for improvement; these include addressing staffing shortages, balancing office and remote work, promoting collaboration, and enhancing customer service. Based on the primary findings, the key recommendation for this study is that financial institutions prioritise employee well-being and work-life balance. This can be achieved by addressing staffing shortages, offering flexible hours and wellness programs, and creating a supportive environment for both office and remote work. It is also important to promote collaboration and communication between remote and office-based employees in order to overcome any divide. Continuous improvement and adaptation are crucial to success, including staying ahead of technological advancements and improving customer service and engagement. In addition, recognising and supporting employee success, fostering trust, and investing in technology and infrastructure are important for efficient operations. Adopting the recommendations provided by the respondents can bring several benefits to financial institutions. These benefits include increased job satisfaction, improved workspace suitability, enhanced job autonomy, and better communication of goals and strategies. Adopting the recommendations can also lead to positive encounters with leaders, better problem-solving abilities, and improved listening to private feelings. Moreover, organisations can experience increased productivity, better work-life balance, and improved mental health amongst employees. The recommendations also emphasise the importance of fostering trust, supporting personal and professional growth, and promoting collaboration and communication. Overall, adopting these recommendations can contribute to a positive work environment and the overall wellbeing of employees.Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 202
Undergraduate bachelor of nursing students’ learning experiences of the operating room environment in public and private hospitals in the Eastern Cape
Get PDFAs per the regulations outlined by the South African Nursing Council (SANC), nursing students must fulfil a specified number of clinical hours to become registered practitioners. Regulation R425 and R174 mandates that undergraduate nursing students complete clinical hours in General Nursing Science (GNS), including a component in the operating room (OR) as part of their specialization. However, the educational experiences of Bachelor of Nursing (BON) students in the OR setting are not always positive. The intensity and urgency of perioperative activities in the OR can sometimes leave nursing students feeling threatened and overwhelmed, hindering their ability to view the OR as a conducive clinical learning environment (CLE). The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding of undergraduate nursing students’ learning experiences of the OR environment in public and private hospitals while achieving the learning objectives for course completion. The study followed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. Undergraduate nursing students based at a higher education institution (HEI) undergoing a four-year BON degree and who had exposure to the OR environment were invited to participate in the study. Data collection involved interviewing 20 participants using focus group discussions. Data was transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using Tesch’s method of analysis. Vygotsky’s theory of sociocultural learning was used as a lens to explore the OR learning experiences of the nursing students placed at both public and private hospitals. An adapted version of the AGREE II tool was used as a framework to develop recommendations to optimise the learning experiences of nursing students in the OR environment. The analysis yielded three overarching themes and nine related sub-themes. It was evident that these students encountered challenges when adapting to the OR environment. These challenges were attributed to factors such as the reception and support they received in the CLE, their level of preparedness for OR procedures, and the numerous factors influencing their learning opportunities within the OR. The findings propose that enhancing nursing students’ preparation, along with implementing a structured induction programme, could lead to a more favourable experience in the OR and optimise learning outcomes. Additionally, fostering supportive mentorship programmes with OR professional nurses or staff trained to introduce nursing students to the OR, promoting professional communication between nursing education institutions (NEIs) and hospital OR management, are pivotal measures for maximizing learning opportunities and nurturing the professional growth of nursing students within the OR environment. Recommendations were developed using an adapted version of the AGREE II tool as a framework to optimise the learning experiences of nursing students in the OR environment.Thesis (MCur) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Care & Medicinal Sciences, 202
Strategies to optimize quality of nursing care of patients in public hospitals in the Bono Region, Ghana
Get PDFThe quality of nursing care delivery is closely tied to positive patient outcomes and satisfaction. However, in Ghana's public hospitals, particularly in the Bono region, the standard of nursing care often falls short. Media reports have highlighted instances of poor nursing care, leading to increased patient morbidity and mortality in this area. Consequently, this study aimed to develop strategies that could be implemented by stakeholders to optimize the quality of nursing care for patients in public hospitals within the Sunyani municipality in the Bono region of Ghana. The Donabedian model of quality was the theoretical framework that underpinned this study. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was employed. The study was conducted in four phases: Phase One: This empirical phase explored and described participants' perceptions of nursing care quality in Bono region's public hospitals. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews including purposively selected patient participants (n=18), professional nurses (n=18) and nurse managers (n=3) and analysed qualitatively following Creswell and Tesch’s (2021) six-step process. From this analysis, three main themes related to perceptions emerged-facilitators of, barriers to and outcomes of quality nursing care—and were thoroughly discussed. Phase Two: An integrative literature review was conducted to search, select, appraise, extract, and synthesise existing relevant literature on quality nursing care in public hospitals of lower to middle-income countries (LMICs). This review followed four stages recommended by Whittemore and Knafl (2005). The identified literature was critically appraised using the John Hopkins Nursing Evidence and Non-Research Evidence appraisal tools. The appraised literature was analysed, yielding nine strategies for optimizing the quality of nursing care in public hospitals from 12 articles under two themes: “Daily nursing care-related strategies” and “Organizational related strategies”. Phase Three: The findings from Phases One and Two were synthesised to develop a conceptual framework for strategies to optimize quality nursing care in Bono region's public hospitals. This framework was based on Dickoff et al.’s (1968) theory development outline. The resulting framework guided the drafting of the (I-CARE) strategies, an acronym for Implementing ABSTRACT v organizational strategies, Commitment to attributes and practices, Augmenting outcomes, Rendering holistic and patient-centered care, and Enhancing resources and support for quality nursing care. Phase Four: The I-CARE strategies were reviewed and validated by four experts with extensive backgrounds in strategy development and quality nursing care. The experts' modifications and recommendations were incorporated in finalizing the strategies. The strategies, when implemented, are expected to enhance the optimization of nursing care quality in Bono region's public hospitals, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and satisfaction.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Care & Medicinal Sciences, 202
A model to facilitate nursing research supervisors in assisting postgraduate nursing students in Gauteng Province with timeous completion of studies
Get PDFMany academically orientated persons aspire towards having postgraduate qualifications for various reasons. The reasons range from career development to expanding their knowledge in fields related to their current areas of professional specialisation. Some people however do not fulfil that personal need due to academic exclusion from their studies in the university related to taking too long to finish their studies while others just drop out. The current study aimed to develop a model that would assist in facilitating the supervision of postgraduate nursing students to complete their studies in the required and allocated time at nursing education institutions in Gauteng. The objectives of the study were to: explore and describe the perceptions of postgraduate research nursingstudents regarding their preparedness for a joint research journey; explore and describe the perceptions of research supervisors regarding theirpreparedness for a joint research journey; develop a conceptual framework that would underpin the development of amodel to facilitate the preparedness of postgraduate research nursing students(PGRNSs) and supervisors for the research journey at NEIs in Gauteng; and develop and describe a model to facilitate the preparedness of postgraduateresearch nursing students (PGRNSs) and inexperienced research supervisorsfor a joint research journey at NEIs at Gauteng. A theory-generative research design based on a qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual research approach was adopted in this study. Purposive sampling was used to select 16 postgraduate nursing students (8 master’s and 8 doctoral) and 12 research supervisors from universities in Gauteng, South Africa. Data collection was conducted through voice-recorded unstructured interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Tesch’s open coding method of data analysis. To ensure the trustworthiness of the study, the researcher used various strategies based on the criteria recommended in Guba’s model of trustworthiness. The criteria were credibility, transferability, confirmability and dependability. Ethical principles, such as respect for a person’s beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice were ensured during the data collection stage. Four broad themes (see Chapter 3) emerged from the data analysis. The themes were: Theme: perceptions regarding postgraduate supervision provided or received Theme: perceptions regarding preparedness for the research journey Theme: support systems influencing preparedness for the research journey Theme: Hope for change in the research progress and concerns to be considered Concept identification and analysis assisted the researcher in putting concepts in a relationship for the development of the model as guided by the six survey elements of Dickoff and James. Although the model was not tested, the researcher and the selected nursing experts were confident that the model is significant to nursing and other disciplines. The model was described and successfully evaluated by a panel of six nursing experts who acknowledged the clarity, generality, accessibility, simplicity, and significant contribution to the nursing environment. The guidelines and recommendations to implement the model in the nursing environment were developed to enhance the application of the model. The model aims to provide a theoretical and structural frame of reference to the head of the department and research supervisors in nursing for the facilitation of the preparedness of the postgraduate students and inexperienced supervisors for a joint research journey to ensure the timeous completion of postgraduate studies. The outcomes of the model include easing the struggle of students during their research studies for acceptable progress within the nursing environment of nursing education institutions. inexperienced research supervisors who experienced challenges to achieving optimum supervision in the nursing environment will also benefit if they apply the developed model. To enhance the applicability of the model, the researcher recommends that the model be tested in postgraduate studies for future benefits before implementation.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Care & Medicinal Sciences, 202
The effect of the 2020 to 2021 alcohol ban on alcohol consumption and consumer preferences
Get PDFThis study examines the effect of the alcohol ban from 2020 to 2021 on consumer preferences and consumption habits. The COVID-19 virus was first detected in China, in 2019. The virus spread rapidly, crippling health care systems across the world. As the disease spread, countries began looking at ways to reduce the strain on the health care system caused by other factors (Gu, 2020). The first case in South Africa was recorded on 5 March 2020. South Africa reacted quickly and decided to implement a hard lockdown on alcohol, 22 days after the first case was recorded (Murhula & Nunlall, 2021). Due to the high number of trauma-related cases, which affected the healthcare system and South Africa’s reputation for being a country that consumes high volumes of alcohol, the government needed swift action. This alcohol ban sent shock waves across the country and alcohol consumers began to panic (BBC, 2020). In addition, the alcohol ban caused people to alter their consumption behaviours and some even resorted to homebrewing alcohol during the lockdown. Alcohol was available through the illicit market, which came at a premium price with limited options. This study originated from the alcohol ban, as consumers were exposed to brands, they otherwise would not have considered if all alcohol beverages were available. The scarcity of alcohol products, the excessive prices of alcohol and the effort it took to obtain alcohol, played a major role in altering drinking behaviours and brand preferences post the alcohol ban. Results from the study indicated that age and gender played no significant role in alcohol consumption, brand preference across categories were affected with two of nine alcohol categories experiencing a decline in consumption, from before to after the ban. During the ban, the majority of respondents consumed alcohol with some resorting to homebrewed alcohol, which showed a significant increase in consumption during the ban. The opportunity to further this study would be to investigate the increase in low alcoholic beverages and non-alcohol beverages as key avenues for organisations within the alcohol industry.Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 202
An analysis of employee morale and leadership styles at Benteler automotive Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape
Get PDFBenteler Automotive in the Eastern Cape has experienced challenges over the past five years due to a high rate of staff turnover at the leadership and management levels. As a result, the morale of the employees in the organisation was affected, resulting in decreased levels of job satisfaction, and productivity, high rates of absenteeism, and staff turnover. Hence, this study was conducted to assess employee morale and leadership styles and examine the impact of motivation, leadership styles, and human resource strategies on staff morale, with the intention of proposing managerial interventions to enhance employee morale within the organisation. The study was conducted within a positivist paradigm, and a quantitative research approach was used to investigate the phenomenon. Data were collected from a sample of 300 employees using a closed-ended questionnaire survey, and a response rate of 93% was achieved. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 21 was used for analysing and reporting on data in line with the research objectives of the study. The analysed data were reported under descriptive and inferential statistical headings, where frequency of the Likert scale responses, measures of central tendencies, Pearson’s correlations, regression analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were reported. The results of the study indicates that motivation, leadership styles and human resource strategies have a significantly positive influence on employee morale. On the other hand, the results also indicate, in general, that respondents were indifferent to most of the statements pertaining to leadership styles and human resource strategies. The study recommends that management consider implementing fundamental theoretical human resource strategies to enhance employee morale. These strategies include fostering human relations, providing continuous training opportunities to enhance employee knowledge, promoting new skills development, boosting self-confidence, and addressing concerns about job stability. The results of the study have provided practical and conceptual managerial and academic benefits within the field of management and leadership. A future study on the evaluation of the impact of leadership styles and cultural elements on employee morale is an essential element to consider, as it was not covered in this study.Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 202
Screening drug candidates for sars-cov-2 spike protein variants within the SANCDB (South African Natural Compounds Database) and drug bank
Get PDFThe WHO declared the Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as over on the 5th of May 2023. However, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Virus (SARS-CoV-2) is still prevalently spread within populations, causing hospitalization and death in serious infections. Most anti-COVID-19 agents are weakly or conditionally or even strongly recommended against in non-severe cases with low to medium risk of hospitalisation and further highlight the significance of effective treatments for SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. The host’s Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) interaction with the viral spike protein’s Receptor-Binding Domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 leads to the subsequent infection, viral replication, and further propagation of the virus. This establishes the spike protein’s RBD as a vital target for drug design. Through HADDOCK and AlphaFold driven structural refinement, the then novel SARS-CoV-2 delta [3.34 Å (PDB ID: 7WBQ)] and omicron [3.00 Å (PDB ID: 7WBP)] crystalline structures of the variants’ RBD, in complex with its host receptor human ACE2, were modelled to improve the low-resolution starting structures. Models predicted by HADDOCK independently yielded refined structures with improved resolutions of 2.49 Å (delta) and 2.41 Å (omicron). SARS-CoV-2 spike protein RBD of delta and omicron variants were screened for less frequently considered allosteric binding sites that could block ACE2-RBD engagement. Eight potential allosteric binding sites were identified through CavityPlus for both variants, with a single best druggable potential allosteric site identified for each. The search for potential inhibiting hit compounds involved using the SANCDB and DrugBank databanks and screening both the allosteric and orthosteric binding sites through molecular docking. Despite differences in mutated interacting residues and bond interactions, a lead compound for orthosteric binding sites (SANC00290) and potential allosteric modulators of both delta and omicron (SANC00746 and DB01029) were found. These compounds show promise in blocking ACE2-RBD engagement to potentially reduce viral interaction and infection of, and potentially withstanding further mutational residues. This study contributes to further investigation of affordable SA natural compound COVID-19 treatment and a starting point for in vitro analysis studies.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 202
Ground- and marine water inputs into supratidal microbialite systems along the Nelson Mandela Bay coastline
Get PDFExtant supratidal microbialite systems are especially numerous and well-developed along the rocky coastline of Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB), South Africa. Precipitating in a hydrological environment formed by the input of constant, fresh groundwater discharge and periodic marine water intrusion these systems form part of the longest uninterrupted geological record of life on Earth (~3.4 billion years ago). Microbialites are layered organosedimentary deposits which potentially provide a window into historical environmental conditions. This study focusses on the fresh groundwater and saline marine water inputs of these microbialite pools, and the corresponding microbialite accretion rates. Severe regional drought in the NMB area resulted in rapid anthropogenic groundwater abstraction of the coastal aquifers on which the microbialite systems rely for groundwater inflow. This study provides insight into the current state of the coastal aquifers of NMB through the quantification of groundwater discharge via microbialite systems in terms of volume and flow rate. This is paired with in situ hourly microbialite pool water temperature and conductivity data to determine the effect of marine intrusion and the role of tidal flushing in these pools. A spatial assessment of groundwater discharge conducted using quantitative and semi-quantitative measurement techniques indicated that the total discharge of the study area is ~45.8 L/s or 3.8 ML/d. Over 1,500 freshwater seeps were identified, of which 78% showed microbialite deposits. Topography of the coast indicated that this might influence the flowrate. Calcareous sediment of sandy beaches within the study area supported lower discharge, while rocky shores with lithified rock had higher discharge. Seasonal differences in the volume discharged were evident, with winter having higher flowrates. Flow paths and discharge rates are affected by inland lithological differences and indicate variability linked to rainfall events that show lag effects depending on aquifer origins. This study is the first spatial analysis of the volume of groundwater discharging through microbialite-fed seeps. Marine intrusion and the corresponding pool flushing dynamics identified three types of microbailite systems: groundwater-dominant, dynamic input, and fast-reacting sites. A novel measurement technique for microbialite accretion determined accretion rates for systems under varying pool conditions. Although the average accretion rates of the Nelson Mandela Bay microbialites were in the order of erosion of 0.35 mm per year, there was significant variability in these measurements likely linked to differential localised vulnerability to storm events or responses to groundwater ix flow variability. It remains to be determined whether these factors are definitive risks to the sensitive supratidal microbialite systems.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 202
Construction material waste control success model for the construction industry
Get PDFEconomic sustainability and reconstruction in many economies rely heavily on the construction sector and remain strategic tools for governments and industries worldwide. Excessive construction costs and materials waste among some construction companies are rampant in the construction sector. Most of this waste is poorly managed, thus triggering significant project failure problems, leading to the project stakeholders losing the value of their investment. This concern advocate for effective control of construction material to avoid wastage. The primary objective of this study was to develop a Construction Waste Material Control (CWMC) model to be used by construction project professionals throughout the Project Management (PM) phases: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, control and closure. Significant literature on construction materials waste, Project Management (PM) processes, and project performance regarding poor waste management and project failure was reviewed. This literature review was conducted to identify factors affecting Construction Waste Material Control (CWMC). These factors were identified and defined together with their respective contributions to the model. A quantitative survey instrument (questionnaire) was used to obtain information from construction sector professionals. A total of 213 questionnaire were received and administered for the study. Structural Equation Model (SEM) SEM was used to analyse the questionnaire data, and thereby assisting the research to clearly define latent constructs statistically significant to the (CWMC) model. The finding was that, the factors identified to have impact on CWMC are Project Initiation Phase Tools (PIPTs), Project Planning Phase Tools (PPPTs), project failure/success factors (PFFs), Project Execution Phase Tools (PEPTs), Project Monitoring and Control Phase Tools (PMCPTs), Construction waste material Control (CWMC) policy and Project Management (PM) competence. The supported hypotheses also authenticated these factors. Introducing the model into the construction sector provides another dimension to CWMC. By establishing the aforementioned factors, the model gives construction professionals precise CWMC predictive accuracy. As the model reliability test of 0.734 to 0.972 satisfied the theoretical threshold and goodness of fit of 0.912 of Normed fit index respectively. The model is the first of its kind and contributes significantly to the construction sector’s existing body of knowledge.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 202
Co-generated learnings from hopes-an NRF grant funded university engagement project
Get PDFThe study had sought to understand the systemic and individual factors that facilitated or inhibited the NRF grant-funded HOPES Project. HOPES collaborated with the Centre for the Community School in the Faculty of Education, and various communities of practice (COPs) in existing school communities in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The project applied a critical participatory action research work to develop a framework for school improvement and in the process contribute to making schools beacons of hope. This research provides insights into how an NRF community engagement grant project team (HOPES) navigated external and internal factors such as COVID-19, rules regulating the grant, and multiple realities of the stakeholders at play. The study was qualitative and used the critical participatory action research design. The study purposively and conveniently sampled seven HOPES Project team members to collect data via focus groups and individual interviews and collected secondary data from NRF HOPES annual project reports. The study findings improved the participants' understanding of their journey, and the co-generated knowledge shed light on how NFR and community engagement grant funders could promote enabling conditions towards achieving individual scholars and collective project outcomes. The study findings provide learnings for the Faculty of Education and the Nelson Mandela University on how extrinsic and intrinsic enablers and barriers can be addressed to optimise a project of this nature.Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, School of Postgraduate Education, 202