7490 research outputs found
Sort by
The 4IR influence on business performance and customer satisfaction in the South African retail industry
Full text linkThe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is reshaping global business landscapes by introducing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and data analytics. In the context of the South African retail industry, understanding how 4IR influences business performance and customer satisfaction (CS) is essential for maintaining competitiveness and promoting sustainable growth. This study investigates the impact of 4IR on business performance, and customer satisfaction, using digital marketing strategies (DMS), and customer experience (CX) as intervening variables. A mixed-method approach was employed to capture both quantitative and qualitative insights. Quantitative data were collected through surveys administered to customers, enabling the measurement of relationships among 4IR, DMS, and CX. Qualitative data, derived from semi-structured interviews with industry experts, provided a deeper contextual understanding of how 4IR and DMS influence business performance and CS in real-world retail environments. The findings reveal that 4IR technologies significantly contribute to operational efficiency, supply chain management, and the generation of data-driven insights, thereby enhancing both business performance and customer satisfaction. A strong positive relationship emerged between 4IR and DMS, indicating that the integration of advanced tools, such as AI-driven personalisation, substantially improves DMS efficiency. However, 4IR’s direct influence on CX was not found to be significant, suggesting that while technologies like tap-to-pay and IoT improve convenience, they do not alone elevate the overall CX. Furthermore, DMS demonstrated no significant direct effect on CX, implying that its benefits must be combined with service quality for meaningful improvements. In contrast, DMS had a pronounced positive impact on business performance by boosting customer acquisition, retention, and revenue. Finally, the study showed that enhanced CX, marked by seamless navigation and personalisation, significantly drives CS and brand loyalty. Building on these insights, the study developed a strategic framework for retail digital transformation, providing a structured approach for retailers to integrate 4IR technologies effectively. This framework emphasises the need for a balanced combination of technology adoption and integration, human capital development, process optimisation, ethical and strategic governance, evaluation and continous improvement and collaborative ecosystem development to maximise business performance and long-term customer engagement. This research highlights the crucial role of 4IR in shaping modern retail practices in South Africa as the adoption of advanced 4IR technologies and effective DMS can substantially improve operational processes and financial outcomes. However, to translate these advancements into memorable CXs, retailers must align technological innovations with high service quality and personalisation efforts. These findings bear significant implications for retail managers, policymakers, and marketers, as they highlight the necessity of strategic investments in both technology and customer-centric practices. Future studies could explore cross-cultural contexts and longitudinal assessments to further validate the influence of 4IR-driven retail strategies on business performance and customer satisfaction.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 202
Food insecurity, food choice priorities and health outcomes nexus in the Eastern Cape Province: choice experiment approach
Full text linkIntroduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of food insecurity; assess the nexus of food insecurity and health outcomes; and assess the influence of price, taste, healthiness, preparation time and travel time on food choice priorities using a discrete choice experiment approach among households of the Qweqwe community in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study design was used to collect primary data among households of the Qweqwe community. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS and Stata software. Food insecurity prevalence was determined using descriptive statistics, while the nexus of food insecurity and health outcomes was assessed using Pearson’s chi-squared test. The main effects conditional logit model was fitted to assess the influence of the selected meal attributes. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: food insecurity was highly prevalent (38.13%) among households in the community of Qweqwe. The relationship between food insecurity and health outcomes was not statistically significant (χ²= 3.6985, p>0.05). Price, preparation time, and healthiness are all significant predictors of meal choice at the 1% level, while taste is significant at the 5% level. The results showed that healthiness (odds ratio (OR)=1.9988, p<0.001) is the most influential meal attribute, followed by taste (OR=1.1898, p<0.05), preparation time (OR=0.9660, p<0.001) and price (OR=0.89803, p<0.001). Price and preparation time were inversely related to meal choice, while taste and healthiness were positively associated with meal selection. Conclusion: Based on these results, the researcher argues that food insecurity is a product of multiple factors that different sectors can best address. To address high food insecurity, there needs to be collaboration between different sectors, such as health, agriculture, education, and social services. This study contributes to understanding the influence of selected meal attributes on food choices. These findings can be used to justify the need for employment-creation initiatives, such as skills development, job creation schemes, and economic empowerment programs targeting food-insecure populations.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School ofEconomics, Development and Tourism, 202
Strategies to improve coastal and marine tourism sustainability in the Nelson Mandela Bay coastal region
Full text linkCoastal and marine tourism (CMT) is a rapidly growing subsector of tourism. CMT is a form of tourism that occurs in coastal areas and marine environments. This form of tourism has benefited the coastal and marine environments contributing economically to coastal regions globally. However, in developing regions such as the Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, pollution, particularly plastics and waste from ships, is an environmental challenge. Thus, the need for managing and planning sustainability in coastal and marine tourism. The study evaluated the effectiveness of the current sustainability strategies used by Nelson Mandela Bay coastal region stakeholders. The interpretivist paradigm enabled a qualitative research approach. Thus, 8 semi-structured interviews were conducted through purposive sampling. Participants were from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Tourism directorate, top managers of coastal and marine tourism businesses, and ocean economy-related non-profit organisation operators. Thematic analysis was employed using Atlas.ti software and narratives presented the results of the study. The study found current strategies used to ensure sustainability and how the municipality promotes sustainability. CMT businesses practise sustainability and NPO have practical initiatives in place. The challenges identified by the participants were stakeholders not having the same intentions towards sustainability, lack of local community literacy, lack of stakeholder inclusion leading to a lack of collaboration as well as lack of sustainability visible initiatives and regulation. Measures used to mitigate these challenges were, empowering decision makers and local communities by conducting workshops, creatively communicating the importance of sustainability while encouraging more collaboration among stakeholders. Introducing sustainability to children and encourage recycling and separation of waste. Recommendations made were to raise educational awareness, encourage participation through incentives for coastal clean-up and NMB to have a tourism and sustainability office. Provide fresh and updated information on websites as well as local communities should be empowered with knowledge and the skills. Future research should use a comparative analysis with a similar study in a coastal region. It could also look at incorporating a longitudinal study design that could assist and assess the long-term impact of the recommended strategies on sustainability in the area.Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202
An analysis of the portrayal and representation of African societies in colonial transition in Sol Plaatje’s novel Mhudi
Full text linkThis thesis aims to position Mhudi as a text in the discipline of sociology in Africa. In it, Plaatje centralises the history of the Barolong from a period where their societies were mainly oral. The text is significant because it is a form of sociological analysis of transitions from an African perspective in the context of pre-industrial South Africa. The key argument of this thesis is that Mhudi provides invaluable insight into African perspectives on sociological thought because Plaatje used it as a type of rear-view mirror through which he examined the early to mid-19th century when indigenous Africans who lived in the interior of South Africa crossed paths with the settler Boers and created alliances with them. Plaatje attributed some of the problems plaguing indigenous South Africans during the early 20th century to those alliances formed by the settler Boers and the indigenous South Africans in the 19th century. The problems included indigenous people being forced to relocate to underdeveloped areas known as the reserves, as well as a prohibition on the purchasing or leasing of land outside of the reserves which led to overpopulation and heightened levels of poverty among indigenous people. The three key contributions of Sol Plaatje’s Mhudi to our understanding of social transitions in the 19th century are the following: A) Social structures and institutions such as marriage, gender, and family underwent seismic transitions owing to the absence of key people due to the largescale massacres that were taking place. B) The arrival of the Voortrekkers introduced ethnic conflict in Thaba Nchu and that further destabilised the indigenous communities there, as well as others surrounding them. C) Due to having no conception of race relations and racial politics elsewhere in the world, the indigenous communities, through their alignment with the Boers, played key roles in the corrosion of their power which led to their subjugation. Lastly, this thesis concludes that for a positive forward movement in the discipline of sociology in South Africa, we need to go beyond the existing canon and use early African writers to begin to form an African perspective of how change occurred.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 202
Uphononongonzulu ngokungabhalwa kweemviwo zezembali nezenzululwazi yobomi ngolwimi lwesixhosa ngabafundi kwizikolo ezikhethiweyo zamabanga aphakamileyo zomasipala uMbhashe
Full text linkOlu phandonzulu lugxile ekuphononongeni ngokungabhalwa kweemviwo zezeMbali nezeNzululwazi zoBomi ngolwimi lwesiXhosa ngabafundi kwizikolo ezikhethiweyo zamabanga aphakamileyo zoMasipala uMbhashe kwiimviwo ezandulela ezokuphela konyaka wama2020. Umphandi wehle amahlongwana phezulu komba wokubhalwa kweemviwo kusetyenziswa iilwimi ezimbini (isiXhosa nesiNgesi). Esi sifundo sisebenzise indlela yophando entlantlu mbini (mixed method) kuba luyisebenzisile indlela yophando yohlahlelo hlobo (qualitative method) nendlela yophando lobungakanani (quantitative method). Kolu phandonzulu kusetyenziswe iingcingane ezimbini, ingcingane engundoqo yeyosetyenziso lweelwimi ezininzi (multilingualism) kuze esekelayo ibe yingcingane yentlanganisela yeelwimi (translanguaging). Ingcingane yeelwimi ezininzi ithetha ukuvumeleka ukusebenzisa iilwimi ezininzi ngokwengingqi umntu akuyo, isizathu sokuchongwa kwale ngcingane kolu phando kungokuba ihambelana nomxholo wolu phando ophonononga ukungabhalwa kweemviwo ngesiXhosa kwizikolo ezintathu ezityunjiweyo kuMasipala uMbhashe. Le ngcingane iyangqamana nomxholo wophando ngokuba ijonga ukusetyenziswa kweelwimi ezininzi ekufundiseni, ukufunda nokubhala iimviwo. Ingcingane yesibini nesekelayo yeyentlanganisela yeelwimi kwimfundo neyathi yaqulunqwa ngowe-1994 nguCen Williams welizwe laseWales apho wayejonga ukusetyenziswa kweelwimi ezimbini (isiNgesi neWelsh) kwisifundo esinye. Esona sizathu sokuchongwa kwale ngcingane kukuba igxile ekusetyenzisweni kweelwimi ezimbini ngocwangciso ekufundeni nasekufundiseni phakathi kwigumbi elinye lokufundisa. Abaphandi abaninzi abaqwalasela intsebenziswano kwiilwimi ezingaphezulu kwesibini (multilingualism) kwigumbi lokufundisa basebenzisa ibinzana elithi “translanguaging” ukuchaza ukuxutywa kweelwimi ekuthetheni nasekubhaleni. Luye uphando lwahlalutywa kusetyenziswa imixholo (thematics). Isizathu soku kukuba imixholo isetyenziswa apho kuhlalutywa iingcinga (opinions), amava (experiences) kunye nexabiso okanye ukuxabiseka kwento umzekelo, ulwimi ngokolu phando. Umphandi uye wasebenzisa le ndlela yokuhlalutya ephicotha ulwazi athe waluqokelela ukuze akhuphe eyona mixholo igqamileyo kwizimvo zabathathinxaxheba. Kuye kwasetyenziswa udliwano ndlebe oluvuleka-luvaleka (semi-structured) ukuqokelela iinkcukacha kwiinqununu, iintloko zamasebe ezikolweni nootitshala ababefundisa ezeMbali neNzululwazi yoBomi ngo2020. Kuphindwe kwasetyenziswa iphepha lemibuzo elivulekileyo ukuqokelela iinkcukacha kubafundi ababesenza ezeMbali neNzululwazi yoBomi kwiSigaba 12 ngo2020 kwizikolo ezikhethiweyo. Kwaze kwagqityeliswa ngokusetyenziswa iNvivo software ukuqokelela iinkcukacha zabahlali kwinqaku lephephandaba le-Ilisolezwe lesiXhosa elifumaneka kuFacebook. Olu phando lufumanise ukuba owona nobangela wokungabhalwa kwezeMbali neNzululwazi yoBomi ngesiXhosa kwizikolo ezikhethiweyo zoMasipala uMbashe kwiimviwo ezandulela ezokuphela konyaka wama2020 kwiSigaba 12: Lulwimi lokubhala, ukufundisa nokufunda (isiNgesi) oluthi lusetyenziswe kwezi zikolo; ukungaqeqeshwa ngokwaneleyo kootitshala; ubunzima bolwimi (lwesiXhosa) olusetyenziswe kumaphepha emviwo ezeMbali neNzululwazi yoBomi; ukungahambelani kokubhalwa kweemviwo ngesiXhosa nezoqoqosho; ulwimi ebekufundiswa ngalo kwizigaba ezisezantsi nokulungela kweeyunivesithi zoMzantsi Afrika ukufundisa abafundi ababhala iimviwo ngesiXhosa. Ngaba nobangela abadala abafundi beSigaba 12 ngo2020 bangazibhali iimviwo zezeMbali neNzululwazi yoBomi ngesiXhosa kwiimviwo ezandulela ezokuphela konyaka kwizikolo ezikhethiweyo zoMasipala uMbhashe. Ngenxa yezi zizathu zibalulwe ngasentla, olu phandonzulu lunezindululo zokuba iSebe leMfundo eSiseko eMpuma Kapa libambisene nezikolo zoMasipala uMbhashe malihlaziye iSouth African Schools Act (1996) nePolisi yoLwimi kwiMfundo (1997) ukuze kube lula kwizikolo ezichongiweyo ukuhlaziywa kwepolisi yazo yolwimi kwimfundo ethi makufundwe, kufundiswe ze kubhalwe kusetyenziswa iilwimi zeMveli (isiXhosa), iilwimi ezininzi nentlanganisela yeelwimi kwimfundo.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Language, Media and Communication, 202
The setting of South Africa’s national minimum wage: an investigation into representative and participatory social dialogue
Full text linkIn 1994, South Africa entered a new democratic era, culminating in the adoption of a new constitution in 1996. This constitution promotes representative and participatory democracy for all citizens. Through representative democracy, the electorate chooses political representatives to serve at local, provincial, and national levels. Participatory democracy, on the other hand, aims to involve citizens directly in decision-making processes that affect their lives, particularly in socio-economic matters (Finnemore & Koekemoer, 2018; Republic of South Africa, Public Participation Framework for the South African Legislative Sector, 2013). This research investigated representative and participatory democracy, social dialogue, and their application in developing the National Minimum Wage. The study explored the four institutions involved in the National Minimum Wage’s progression: the initiation at the National Economic Development and Labour Council where the actors went into negotiation; bargaining councils information sharing via roadshows conducted by the Department of Employment and Labour, discussions in both houses of Parliament, and the National Minimum Wage Commission, which oversees the maintenance and annual review of the wage rate. The primary objective of the study was to assess the extent to which the social dialogue principle of representation for all interested parties was upheld across these institutions. To achieve this, the research employed a qualitative approach, with exploratory and descriptive methods. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with ten respondents, eight of whom were interviewed, while two provided written responses, and through secondary data, namely the parliamentary committee minutes from the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. The findings revealed significant shortcomings in representation at National Economic Development and Labour Council. Labour representation was dominated by three federations, Congress of South African Tade Unions, Federation of Unions of South Africa, and National Council of Trade Unions, leaving out trade unions unaffiliated with these federations and unorganised workers, including those in informal employment. Similarly, business representation was confined to a single confederation, Business Unity of South Africa, representing primarily large, organised businesses, with little to no input from small and medium-sized enterprises or informal employers. Government representation was limited to the national level, excluding local and provincial representatives and affected departments such as Tourism, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Small Business Development, and Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities. Community representation, which should have represented the voices of the unrepresented, only reflected a small fraction of the population. According to Treasury (2016) the negotiation process at National Economic Development and Labour Council was central to developing the Bill but excluded many affected and interested groups. During a deadlock in negotiations, then-Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa introduced an advisory panel of external experts to facilitate progress. Meanwhile, the Department of Employment and Labour conducted roadshows, ostensibly to share information with bargaining councils. However, limited data makes it unclear whether these roadshows effectively reached unrepresented groups. In Parliament, the Bill underwent deliberation in both houses, where political representatives engaged in committee discussions. Public participation was facilitated through written and verbal submissions, with a total of 92 submissions received. However, these submissions predominantly came from well-resourced organisations, and organisations already represented at National Economic Development and Labour Council. Vulnerable, unorganised, and underrepresented groups remained largely excluded from the public participation process, which some political representatives noted as disproportionately favouring the elite. The Bill was finally debated in the National Assembly by political representatives and became an Act on the 29th of May 2018 (Parliamentary Monitoring Group, 2017). The National Minimum Wage Commission comprises members from labour, business, and the community, reflecting the representation structure of National Economic Development and Labour Council as outlined in its founding Act. However, the one key representation present at National Economic Development and Labour Council but absent from the Commission is government representation. Additionally, the Commission includes external experts appointed at the discretion of the Minister of Employment and Labour (Department of Employment and Labour, 2021; National Minimum Wage Act, 2023).Given the majority of the Commission's composition mirrors National Economic Development and Labour Council, it implies that the representation challenges identified at National Economic Development and Labour Council have also been carried over to the Commission. Furthermore, the Minister of Employment and Labour holds significant authority, as the Commission’s role is limited to providing recommendations, with the final decision-making power resting with the Minister. What remains unclear is whether the Minister consults with other ministers from affected departments before making decisions based on the Commission’s recommendations regarding the minimum wage (National Minimum Wage Act, 2023). Furthermore, the research also explored satisfaction levels among National Economic Development and Labour Council respondents regarding the Bill that proceeded to Parliament. While respondents expressed general satisfaction, it is notable that labour representatives at National Economic Development and Labour Council made additional submissions in Parliament, suggesting that they were not entirely satisfied with the Bill in its original form that left National Economic Development and Labour Council. Given the representation and participation challenges identified throughout the process, the findings of this study reveal significant gaps in opportunities for all parties affected by the introduction of a national minimum wage to contribute meaningfully to the negotiation processes at National Economic Development and Labour Council, consultations within parliamentary portfolio committees, roadshows by the Department of Employment and Labour, and the annual review conducted by the National Minimum Wage Commission. To address these gaps, the researcher recommends that the National Economic Development and Labour Council implement a standardized scoping mechanism to ensure the inclusion of all affected stakeholders before new legislation is discussed. Additionally, Parliament should consider adopting an integrated, cross-portfolio approach to legislative development, while the National Minimum Wage Commission should expand the scope of its annual research on minimum wages. For the National Economic Development and Labour Council, the effective implementation of a more inclusive approach requires a robust and standardised mechanism for identifying and engaging all relevant stakeholders. In Parliament,portfolio committees could enhance accessibility by establishing more inclusive platforms for public participation. To strengthen the National Minimum Wage Commission’s annual review process, researchers could employ diverse methodologies to ensure a broader and more comprehensive assessment. Furthermore, all institutions involved should explore the role of digital and hybrid engagement platforms in enhancing participatory democracy. For future research, the study recommends establishing focus groups comprising individuals directly affected by the National Minimum Wage Bill. Additionally, further research should include case studies on the passage of other pieces of South African legislation to assess the extent and effectiveness of participatory democracy in legislative processes. Finally, the development of a more inclusive model for the National Economic Development and Labour Council, tailored to South Africa’s unique socio-economic structure, should be explored.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources, 202
Teachers’ understandings and experiences of policies on learner pregnancy in their schools in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Full text linkLearner pregnancy has increased over the past few years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa and particularly in the province of the Eastern Cape where this research study is conducted. There have been policies formulated and promulgated in the past to prevent and manage learner pregnancies, however, they have not been successful in lowering numbers of learners getting pregnant. Government has responded to this by revising these policies and introducing comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in the curriculum from primary school. This has been met with resistance from school governing bodies and religious groups in the country, thereby delaying implementation. Teachers are having to deal at the coalface with this problem of learners getting pregnant at an early age in their schools. This research study explores teachers’ understandings and experiences of policies on learner pregnancy in their schools in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It takes on qualitative research and an interpretive paradigm following a participatory visual methodology using photovoice and document analysis as data generation methods which culminated in policy briefs. Three township secondary schools from quintile 3 were purposively selected for this study from which eight were Life Orientation teachers and one a learner support agent (LSA) participated. The findings revealed that teachers feel incapacitated in handling sexuality matters and are not adequately enabled to effectively implement the formulated learner pregnancy policies in their schools. In addition, monitoring of the implementation of the learner pregnancy policies and support from the DBE were lacking. Moreover, collaboration with key stakeholders, such as parents, healthcare professionals (including nurses and social workers), and the community, was missing. This study recommends that the Department of Basic Education, through schools, should strengthen prevention strategies and rigorously push for the integration of CSE into the curriculum emphasising responsible decision-making, pregnancy prevention and reproductive health. Additionally, the DBE should provide ongoing training for teachers through in-service development workshops to enhance their understanding of learner pregnancy policies while also monitoring their effective implementation. This has implications for policymakers and curriculum developers to advocate for and design appropriate strategies and resources.Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, School of Education, Research and Engagement, 202
The dangers of neglecting indigenous games: the case of Zimbane village
No full textThis study is significant as it delves into the neglect of Indigenous games in the Zimbane Village in Mthatha. Its objectives are to investigate the challenges facing these games and contribute to the Anthropology of Sport, particularly regarding the Zimbane Village in the Eastern Cape. Furthermore, this study aims to provide recommendations to address the challenges related to these games, thereby contributing to the preservation of the cultural heritage. The study follows a qualitative approach, incorporating interviews, semi-structured interviews, and participant observations. To supplement these data techniques, relevant secondary data, including scholarly texts and journals, were used to validate indigenous game issues. The researcher adhered to the ethical protocol from the start to the end of this research project. Cultural preservation was used as a conceptual framework to understand the perspectives of the participants in Zimbane Village.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Governmental and Social Sciences, 202
Evaluating the impact of water scarcity and factors influencing the adoption of climate-smart irrigation technologies on small-scale vegetable farmers in the Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province
Full text linkSmall-scale vegetable farmers play a crucial role in terms of poverty alleviation, food security, employment and improvement of the standard of living in the rural areas. However, the climate change (CC) effects have caused unfavourable weather, such as higher temperatures and drought in many parts of the world. This effect has exacerbated the issue of water scarcity, especially in the semi-arid and arid areas like the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. Thus, the study sought to evaluate the impact of water scarcity on small-scale vegetable farmer’s productivity, and the factors influencing the adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies (CSITs) on small-scale vegetable farmers in the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study employed the quantitative research approach including semi-open-ended informant interview questionnaires. The study’s target population were small-scale vegetable farmers serviced by the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) in the Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province (EC). Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were employed to obtain a total of N=120 population of small-scale farmers actively practising vegetable production. The descriptive statistics were utilised to investigate demographic traits and the current water scarcity adaptation and coping strategies applied by the small-scale vegetable farmers. The findings revealed that 42% of small-scale vegetable farmers had no formal education, 35% had primary education, 20% of the small-scale farmers had secondary education and only 3% had attained college certificates. A Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was employed to assess the impact of water scarcity on the small-scale vegetable farmer’s productivity. The results revealed that the independent variable (Water Scarcity) was significant on the dependent variables with soil degradation showing (P> of 0.0046), poor crop quality (P>of 0.0003). However, other independent variables, such as pests and diseases and farming expansion were not significant. This may be the result as some small-scale farmers use drought-tolerantcultivars, crop rotation and others practice mulching to maintain soil moisture. The Multiple Linear Regression Model which was also utilised to examine the factors influencing the adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies using multiple models, (model:1) revealed that high cost of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies with probability>f 0.0000 had an influence on small-scale farmers in adopting the (CSITs), (model:2) Low Income Consideration also showed a significant influence of Probability>f 0.000 and (model:3)Government Incentives with Probability>f 0.0022 limited access to government support incentives had an influence on the adoption of CSITs of small-scale vegetable farmers. To observe farmer’s perceptions on agricultural support service training intervention on irrigation water management, an Ordinary Least Square (OLS) was employed. The results indicated that lack of training on irrigation water management was significant P> 0.015 underscoring that lack of training support by the government has an influence regarding water conservation on the small-scale vegetable farmers. Thus, the need for the adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies (CSITs) and training on irrigation water management is generally important to mitigate against the impact of water scarcity and improve water usage. Addressing the issue of water scarcity and promoting the adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies, requires a comprehensive understanding of the specific impact on small-scale vegetable farmers and the underlying factors that hinder or facilitate their adoption. In addition, lack of training and awareness, government support incentives, funding, and access to credit have been identified to be some of the major factors influencing the adoption of technologies. Hence, it is crucial for government to provide training and awareness, especially on Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies for small-scale vegetable farmers. Relevant training and information dissemination plays an important role in enhancing knowledge and improving small-scale farmers’ decision-making when it comes to technology adoption and water management. Therefore, the study recommended regular training and frequent engagement between the small-scale vegetable farmers and extension officers. There is a need for the implementation of agricultural programmes that will enhance the farmers’ skills and knowledge of good agricultural practices and innovative technology. Lastly, the initiation of financial support programmes and the provision of information on agricultural credit institutions must be easily available to all small-scale vegetable farmers.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Science & Management, 202
Continuous flow synthesis of tafenoquine derivatives
Full text linkContinuous flow processing is of interest to the pharmaceutical industry because it offers cost efficiency, reduces environmental impact, improves safety, enhances product quality, speeds up development and scale-up, and saves space and energy. The focus of this research work was to exploit continuous flow systems, to develop a continuous flow process that is high yielding using commercial micro reactors to synthesize tafenoquine squaramide derivatives that may exhibit greater anti-malarial activity than the parent drug. In this thesis, a successful study on the individual translation of the batch synthesis of the three tafenoquine squaramide derivatives into optimized continuous flow syntheses is demonstrated. A comprehensive literature review and background on malaria, as well as an introduction to squaramide’s and their role in enhancing drug efficacy, in addition to a brief introduction to continuous flow technology with its advantages and comparison to classical batch methods are provided in the first and second chapters. Chapter three details the experimental procedures utilized for both batch and continuous flow syntheses. The continuous flow synthesis of the three tafenoquine derivatives proved to be far superior compared to their batch syntheses; excellent improvements in reaction yields, in addition to tremendously shorter reaction times were observed. The batch synthesis of a tafenoquine squaramide derivative (3-((4-((2,6-dimethoxy-4-methyl-5-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)quinolin-8-yl)amino)pentyl)amino)-4-methoxycyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dione) had a reaction time of 48 hours and a yield of 48%. Whereas in continuous flow, it had a reaction time of 15 minutes, with a conversion of 78%. For another tafenoquine squaramide (3-((4-((2,6-dimethoxy-4-methyl-5-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)quinolin-8-yl)amino)pentyl)amino)-4-butoxycyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dione) in batch synthesis, the reaction time was 12 hours with a yield of 70%, in continuous flow synthesis, this yield increased to 91% in just 15 minutes. The batch synthesis of squaramide 3-((4-((2,6-dimethoxy-4-methyl-5-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)quinolin-8-yl)amino)pentyl)amino)-4-butylaminocyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dione had a reaction time of 24 hours and the yield was 76%, in flow the reaction time is 10 minutes with 91% conversion. This is expounded in chapter four with detailed discussions of the results attained during the continuous flow optimization of each step within the scope of this research are provided. The concluding remarks, the impact of this study and future work are elucidated in chapter five.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences, 202