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South African plantation forest nursery pesticide -use: current status, pesticide identification for management, and screening of fungicides for pathogen control
Get PDFForest nurseries are exposed to many challenges during the production of plant material, with pests and pathogens two of the most important. Management of pests and diseases require the use of multiple methods, including cultural, biological, and chemical control strategies in an integrated nursery pest management plan (IPM). In most nurseries, where hygiene practices and biological controls do not prevent the presence of pests and pathogens, they are managed through the use of pesticides. Forestry companies are regulated by both Government and Forestry Certification bodies. These include South African legislation pertaining to pesticides regulated by the Registrar Act 36 of 1947, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). A limited number of pesticides, with an even more limited range of active ingredients, and not targeting all known plantation forestry pests/pathogens, are currently registered for use against pests and pathogens in plantation forestry in South Africa. Many of these have been in use for more than a decade, posing a serious risk in terms of resistance build-up. There is a major need for the identification and testing of additional/alternative products (biological natural or synthetic) for use against the range of pests and pathogens that occur on the various plantation tree species and hybrid combinations that are raised in nurseries.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Natural Resource Science & Management, 202
Factors that contribute to an optimal omnichannel retail experience: A South African perspective
Get PDFThe increase in the number of channels driven by technology trajectory over the years have led to a change in customer behaviour. Customers move around different retailer platforms during a single purchase; even so customers still expect a superior and seamless customer experience while navigating these channels. The present study built on studies conducted in countries such as China, Spain, India, United Kingdom amongst others to determine if the learnings from these countries can be applied in the South African context. This study used an interpretivist phenomenological approach and interviewed a qualitative sample of participants to gain insights on their experiences while shopping in these retailers. This study will assist Information Technology managers with prioritisation of their technology roadmaps. This study will also contribute to computer science studies because programmers will have a context of a customer’s perspective when developing omnichannel solutions. Lastly, the study can be used by governments and policy makers in developing national strategic plans relating to shared economy because the study highlights the need to omnichannel retailing in remote areas. The findings from the research were summarised into five themes customer experience, convenience, product, support, and security. The optimal South African omnichannel retail experience is one that allows the customer to seamlessly move across channels by integrating the retailing mix elements of product, place, promotion, price. To achieve this experience, retailers must integrate the customer’s profile information and ensure that the customer’s payment details are secure and are able to seamlessly login in all the retailer platforms. Contrary to the researcher’s expectations, South African customers do not expect an omnichannel support. They expect to keep online support separate from in-store support.Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 202
Perceptions of veterinary pharmaceutical role players on client information leaflets for companion animal medicines in South Africa
Get PDFThe companion animal veterinary pharmaceutical industry has evolved over the years. This refers to not only an increasing number of veterinary medicines on the market, but also an increasing demand from clients or pet owners for seeking access to healthcare information. This study looks at the adequacy of existing package inserts as a source of veterinary medicine information for clients. The study employed a qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with industry key role players such as Industry veterinarians, Regulatory affairs pharmacists and agency regulators. This population contribute meaningfully to either the creation or approval for the content that is included in veterinary medicine package inserts and respective guidelines and regulations. Their perceptions were analysed through thematic analysis using an inductive approach. The package insert was considered a valuable and trustworthy document for medicine information. One of the reasons for this observation was that it followed stringent control and approvals processes governed by respective regulatory agencies, South African Health Product Regulatory Agency (SAHPRA) and Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), in South Africa. The main finding of this study was that the package insert was not suited for client and pet owner needs. This was chiefly consequential to readability and comprehension limitations of the package insert to the client. The study yielded a model client information e-leaflet template for companion animal veterinary medicines presented in a simple question-and-answer language style that addressed barriers identified in the use of the package insert by pet owners. This also included specific content and design preferences that participants considered the most significant for a client or pet owner. It is proposed that the model client information leaflet be made available on both a printed and digital platform to consider the needs of all clients and pet owners. This study revealed that veterinary medicine package inserts that are currently only available as a hardcopy printed document may be obsolete in this form and should be made accessible to healthcare professionals via a digital platform. The study concluded that further research is required and will be worthwhile in the field of leaflet digitalisation for the full implementation of the model client information e-leaflet and package insert.Thesis (MPharm) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Care & Medicinal Sciences, 202
The prevention of money laundering in the use of cryptocurrency
Get PDFMoney laundering has become common in the world and the introduction of cryptocurrencies has created another avenue that makes it easier to move funds between jurisdictions without anyone knowing. A block chain technology is used to process peer-to-peer electronic payments utilising decentralised virtual currencies known as cryptocurrencies. Although they are not yet regulated, cryptocurrencies are prevalent in South Africa and pose a risk of being used for money laundering and other illicit activities. The regulation of cryptocurrencies in South Africa to prevent money laundering is what is being examined by this research project. The objectives were to understand the concept of money laundering, cryptocurrency and the inherent risks of cryptocurrency in money laundering. An analysis and examination of the difficult concept of cryptocurrency and the risks of money laundering was done. The study demonstrated that cryptocurrencies are decentralised convertible virtual currencies based on cryptographic algorithms. Cryptocurrencies are not monitored by a central body. The research reveals that the use of cryptocurrencies presents risks of money laundering and other illegal activities because of its decentralised, anonymous, peer-to-peer, and unregulated nature. The study focused on the prevention of money laundering using cryptocurrency. International regulatory frameworks of countries such as Canada, United States of America, European Union and Australia were discussed and compared to the South African regulatory developments. It was established that the legal frameworks developed by Canada, the United States of America, the European Union, and Australia aim to mitigate the risk of money laundering associated with the use of cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it was discovered that there is no legislative framework in South Africa to regulate cryptocurrencies, however SARB acknowledged that efforts are being made to develop one. ix It was determined that South Africa urgently needs regulatory interventions in the continued use of cryptocurrencies. The author presented recommendations based on this need, including incorporating cryptocurrencies into the current legal framework by designating them as financial products and adopting a proactive rather than a reactionary approach to the developments of cryptocurrencies.Thesis (LLM) -- Faculty of Law, School of School of Criminal and Procedural Law, 202
A risk management model for commercial property development and investment in Ghana
Get PDFCommercial property development and investment provide many benefits to individuals and governments around the globe; these include the generation of income for investors, employment, tax revenues, and contributions to a country‘s GDP. Yet commercial property development and investment projects involve construction, economic and management risks. A lack of effective risk assessment and management tools may lead to developers and investors incurring losses. To curtail such losses, this study sought to create a credible management model that can be used to assess and manage risks in Ghana‘s commercial property development and investment industry. An extensive literature review was done, covering all 12 identified study constructs: real estate trends and cycle, construction project management, outside advice/mentorship, spatial development, strategic factors, business management skills, PMBOK, PESTEL analysis, general management skills, governance structures, financial feasibility, professional feasibility, and risk management. Each construct was defined and operationalised. A positivistic philosophical approach was used, and quantitative approach was used to solicit data from the main respondents through the distribution of questionnaires to the target population sample. CB-SEM and SPSS version 24 were used to analyse data, SEM to test the positive relationships hypothesised between the identified variables and SPSS to analyse the demographic data. The major findings are that there is a lack of financial and professional feasibility analysis among respondents along the following factors: the PMBOK, real estate trends and cycles, general management, business management, strategic factors, spatial development, and PESTEL analysis. It was found that these factors have positive and favourable influences on CPDI projects. The study recommends that developers and investors do financial and professional feasibility studies before they embark on projects. This could improve project viability in commercial property development and investment. The study has contributed to the body of knowledge in CPDI sector by developing a new risk assessment/risk management model.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering Built Environment and Technology, School of the built Environment, 202
Current harmonic compensation of nonlinear loads in a three phase, four wire system
Get PDFNonlinear loads, in low voltage distribution networks, inject current harmonics which affect the quality of supply voltages. In this work, the power usage of a university student residential complex was logged over a four day period for analysis of harmonic currents injected by nonlinear loads. Student residents use nonlinear loads such as lighting, televisions, computer power supplies, and other household appliances. The harmonic analysis was performed on the quality of voltages in the university’s distribution network, the level of current distortion in the load current and the contribution of triplen harmonics to the neutral current. Standards such as the NRS048-2 (2007), IEEE-519 (2014) and IEC61000-3-2 (2009) are helpful in regulating harmonic levels in the distribution network, however, they cannot guarantee good quality supply. This work further investigates two methods of current harmonic cancellation, i.e. a shunt passive and an active current harmonic cancellation technique. A passive power filter was designed, built, and evaluated for a given nonlinear load to provide selective filtering of the dominant current harmonics. A four branch, shunt, passive filter was considered in this work for implementation in a three phase four wire distribution network due to its attractive possibility to be tuned to two different harmonic components with a minimum number of passive elements. While passive filters may be inexpensive, they suffer from several disadvantages, such as providing fixed compensation, performance that is source impedance dependent, has an inherent risk of system resonance and detuning due to ageing and component variation. To overcome the disadvantages of passive filters, a shunt connected active power filter was designed, built and evaluated to provide adjustable, wide bandwidth and dynamic correction to nonlinear loads for the compensation of harmonic currents, reactive power, and neutral currents. The controller used was an indirect FFT-based technique with a second order generalized integrator (SOGI) filter for voltage synchronization. It was digitally implemented in an FPGA programmed in VHDL to allow for fast parallel processing of input variables.Thesis (MEng) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Engineering, 202
Formulating an operational efficient strategy for the national health laboratory services in the Eastern Cape
Get PDFThis treatise presents the formulation of an operational efficient strategy for the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) in the Eastern Cape. Operational inefficiency in the NHLS has the potential to delay laboratory results delivery for necessary health intervention, which may have a negative impact on individuals’ health or lead to death. The aim of the study is to highlight inadequacies that may cause poor service delivery and formulate an operational plan for the NHLS in the Eastern Cape. Strategic efficiency is derived from the resource-based and agent theories. Even though there is a difference between service and manufacturing industries, the operational strategic framework can be used in both. A strategic framework is implemented by assessing market requirements and using the top-down or bottom-up approach. To monitor and regulate these strategies, one can utilise, among others, scorecards, corporate social responsibility and risk management. This is a qualitative research study using semi-structured interviews to gather information from 11 participants. The study targeted managers in the NHLS Eastern Cape region, with a non-probability method, as the large number of managers in the entire region made it impossible to do a random study. Furthermore, the data were analysed by the thematic analysis method. The literature review identified six factors that influence public sector efficiency, namely, compliance issues, ethics, financial expense management, resource optimisation, accountability and service delivery. The primary study revealed several inadequacies in the NHLS Eastern Cape, namely, inefficient human resources practices, underutilising technology, ambiguous policies, delayed turnaround time, lack of financial training for management and lack of support from cross-functional departments. In addition, the results of the study warrant the following recommendations: Proper orientation of staff, with modules pertaining not only to their duties and reporting structure but also to the policies of the organisations and conduct; SWOT analyses and surveys could also be used to assess internal staff and external factors that may hinder efficiency; the installation of solar panels for laboratories, starting with the vulnerable labs in remoteThesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 202
A case study of how to implement continuous improvement initiatives
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to establish an understanding of the critical success factors of how to successfully implement and sustain continuous improvement projects at the Festive poultry processing plant using the 20 Keys continuous improvement (CI) tool. There are many continuous improvements in methodologies such as lean, 20 Keys , TQM and business process re-engineering. However, it has proven difficult for numerous businesses globally. Festive, a division of Astral Foods, a poultry processing plant, attempted to implement the 20 Keys , a continuous improvement methodology, and it was no exception as it was added to the list of unsuccessful companies. Because of the failed attempt to implement 20 Keys at Festive and many other manufacturing businesses, which attempted to introduce CI initiatives but ultimately failed, factors such as management support, training, rewards and recognition and organisational culture have been revealed by the literature review as contributors to continuous improvement initiatives’ successful or unsuccessful implementation. A case study methodology was applied in this study to understand the real-life context of the failed implementation of Continuous Improvement at Festive. Furthermore, it aimed to explore and explain complex causal links of training, rewards and recognition, organisational culture and management support which can positively impact the implementation of 20 Keys within the poultry processing industry or any manufacturing industry. A mixed method was followed through an online survey and in-depth interviews. The qualitative and quantitative data analysis results revealed that management support, training, rewards and recognition and organisational culture all were related and influenced continuous improvement implementation. Furthermore, companywide training, rewards and recognition proved to be the most significant challenge, resulting in the unsuccessful implementation of 20 Keys. The findings revealed that implementing continuous improvement is not immediate and entails all employees being adequately involved in the entire process from the start. The main finding at Festive was that when implementing the 20 Keys continuousThesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 202
Influence of digital marketing activities on brand awareness in Zimbabwean polytechnics
Get PDFThe heightened competition for skilled students, capable staff, and government funding has spurred Zimbabwean higher education institutions to engage in competitive efforts. Due to the intense competition in the higher education sector, higher education institutions have become more market-oriented than before. Furthermore, the increased offering of online programmes by higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic period has increased the bargaining power of students. Higher education institutions have therefore taken initiatives to promote their institutions through various interactive digital marketing activities. Digital marketing activities have brought about innovative changes and opportunities for higher education marketers. Higher education marketers, specifically university marketers, are taking advantage of the opportunity to market their institutions through digital marketing activities, thereby gaining a competitive advantage over other institutions of higher education such as polytechnics. There is, therefore, a need for polytechnics to effectively utilise digital marketing activities such as websites, text messaging, social media marketing and email marketing for brand awareness purposes so that they gain a competitive advantage over other institutions of higher learning. The study aimed to empirically evaluate the influence of digital marketing activities on brand awareness of Zimbabwe polytechnics and to propose a model that can be adopted by Zimbabwean polytechnics in an attempt to enhance their brand awareness. As such, a conceptual model was constructed from the literature review to investigate the relationship between digital marketing activities (independent variable) and brand awareness (dependent variable). Based on the comprehensive literature review, four digital marketing activities (website, text messaging, social media marketing and email marketing) were identified in the Zimbabwean polytechnic context. The study further identified the digital marketing activities sub-factors that were adopted in the development of a customised measuring instrument that was used to evaluate the influence of digital marketing activities on brand awareness of Zimbabwean polytechnics. These sub-factors included web design, navigation, interactivity and relevance for website; personalisation, interactivity, timeliness and reliability for text messaging; interactivity, sharing of content, advocacy and credibility for social media marketing and personalisation, interest, informativeness, interactivity and efficiency for email marketing. Furthermore, five hypotheses were formulated and three hypotheses were supported while two hypotheses were rejected. The positivist paradigm, the descriptive research design and the quantitative approach were used in the current study. The study‟s target population consisted of the registered student population of the two Zimbabwean polytechnics in the Midlands province, in the Applied Sciences, Commerce and Engineering divisions. The respondents were selected using non-probability sampling, specifically convenience sampling. Data was collected through an email survey, whereby a web-based self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the Applied Sciences, Commerce and Engineering students with assistance from the Information Technology Departments of the two polytechnics. The measuring instrument consisted of three sections with section A having nominal scales to gather demographic data from respondents. Section B consisted of scaled items that measured the influence of digital marketing activities, while section C measured brand awareness focussing on the three levels of brand awareness. A total of 500 completed questionnaires were received from the two polytechnics. Out of the 500 completed questionnaires, a total of 492 questionnaires had usable responses. Therefore, the current study had a response rate of 98.4%. The study further used descriptive statistics and inferential statistics to interpret the data. The descriptive statistics utilised included frequency measures of central tendency and measures of dispersion or variation. Regarding inferential statistics, the study utilised the CFA, Pearson‟s correlation coefficient, regression analysis, p-value independent sample t-test, ANOVAs and the Welch Robust test, Tukey HSD test, the Games-Howell test and the Cohen‟s d tests. The findings of the study revealed a significant relationship and a strong correlation between digital marketing activities and brand awareness. Regarding website use and brand awareness, a significant relationship and a moderate correlation were determined. The results further revealed an insignificant relationship but a moderate correlation between text messaging and brand awareness. The empirical results also revealed a significant relationship and a strong correlation between social media marketing and brand awareness. Finally, an insignificant relationship and a moderate correlation were revealed between email marketing and brand awareness in the current study. Based on the empirical results, this study gave recommendations to polytechnic marketers. Under the website use items, the study revealed that the respondents had a less positive experience with the web design of the polytechnics' websites. It was recommended that polytechnic marketers should take pragmatic steps to enhance their polytechnic web designs so that students can take note of the college information on well-organised polytechnic websites. The study also found that the respondents felt the need to experience more personalisation and timeliness of the polytechnics' text messaging. Therefore the polytechnic marketers were advised to personalise their text messages each time that they send them to students enabling them to build long-lasting relationships with students. Regarding the timeliness of text messaging, the polytechnic marketers were advised to send text messages to students at the right time when they need the information so that the disseminated information is readily accepted by the students. The polytechnic marketers were also advised to provide up-to-date polytechnic information on their social media pages after the respondents indicated the need to experience more sharing of content on the colleges' social media pages through the provision of up-to-date information. Lastly, the empirical results revealed that the respondents felt the need to experience more personalisation and the provision of interesting content through polytechnic email marketing. Therefore the Zimbabwean polytechnic marketers were strongly recommended to personalise the students' emails to motivate students to engage with them personally. The polytechnic marketers were further recommended to include interesting content in students' emails so that they draw the students' attention to polytechnic information in their emails. The study made the following important contributions. Firstly, the study made contributions to theory, literature, knowledge, society and marketing practitioners within the context of digital marketing activities and brand awareness in Zimbabwean polytechnics. Secondly, the current study provided the measuring instrument and a model that adds to scholarly work and provides a basis for future research in the marketing of Zimbabwean polytechnics. Thirdly, the study will assist in the enhancement of brand awareness of Zimbabwean polytechnics, enabling them to attract academically gifted students who will become productive workers, self-reliant entrepreneurs and responsible citizens. Lastly, the model will also provide a basis for future reference for polytechnic marketers in their marketing efforts for competitive advantage purposes. The current study had limitations that comprised uneven sample distribution, the adoption of limited social media variables and the exclusion of external stakeholders from the current study. Finally, the study made recommendations for future areas of study.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Management Sciences, 202
The experiences of TVET College students in learning English as a second language
Get PDFThe aim of the study was to investigate how the students experience English language learning at a Technical Vocational Education and Training College (TVET) in Eastern Cape. Most of the students enrolled at TVET colleges come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and speak English as a second language. Eight participants were purposively selected from an NCV class in one campus of the college representing the Engineering studies. This was done using the non-probability purposive sampling. The study employed a qualitative design with drawings drawn by the participants to reflect on how they learnt English in schools. The drawings were discussed in a focus group. Video diaries were also used to investigate how students experience English learning in a TVET College. Data were analysed thematically whereby information was categorised into themes that emerged from the responses of the participants. The findings revealed that students had difficulties in learning English language basic skills from lower grades. They did not master the basic language skills and that negatively affected their ability to use language for communication. They were admitted to college with limited vocabulary, and they had no confidence in using the language The study recommends that an organised and effective assessment of literacy skills be done through the pace test. The students who are found to have gaps in English be given an extra class to help them. Recommendations for further study are also provided.Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, School of Post Schooling, 202