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Experiences of student radiographers regarding workplace learning in the Eastern Cape
Get PDFWorkplace learning (WPL) is one of the learning modes of work-integrated learning and takes place in accredited clinical training institutions, in real-life settings. In this research study WPL refers to, and describes, how student radiographers acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, attributes, values, and behaviours to obtain the requisite learning outcomes. Student radiographers must integrate the theory taught at the Higher Education Institution during WPL in the clinical practice setting. The aim of this research study was to explore and describe the experiences of undergraduate diagnostic student radiographers regarding WPL. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual research design was employed to obtain extensive understanding of the experiences of undergraduate diagnostic student radiographers during WPL. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted to collect the data. Transcriptions of data were verbatim, and the eight steps of Tesch’s thematic analysis were utilised for coding. The two main themes that emerged from the analysis of the data were as follows; Theme 1: Student radiographers: surviving or thriving and Theme 2: Fundamental components motivating the character of the WPL programme. This research study is presided by methods that ensure trustworthiness and ethical research practices. As a result of the findings, six recommendations were proposed which involve the higher education institution, clinical tutors, and qualified radiographers to ensure that student radiographers become skilled, confident, and competent qualified radiographers.Thesis (MTech) -- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Care & Medicinal Sciences, 202
A framework to assess apomediation in social networking sites: a case of individuals with autoimmune disease
Get PDFOver the past couple of years there has been a major change in the health-related information available to patients. The modern patient typically researches online before consulting a doctor, leading to more independence for patients regarding their medical care. Doctors continue to play a pivotal role in the medical profession due to their medical education and experience, however, patients are progressively turning to online information to understand their condition. They also check online, following consultation with their doctor, to confirm that the information provided is correct; and frequently ask for advice from people with the same condition. Clearly, patients are changing their normal health seeking behaviour by supplementing what they hear from healthcare professionals through searches for additional sources of information. Unfortunately, online health-related information is not always factual. The misinformation could cause potential problems in the doctor-patient relationship because the doctor has all the information about the patient’s condition, therefore any indication that the patient is trying to undermine the authority of the doctor could be devastating. There is a need for people, or tools, that can support the patient to direct them to high quality information regarding their condition. This concept, known as apomediation, was discussed in detail in this research, as well as the effect on patients. Unfortunately, there is a lack of understanding of the extent to which these tools or people support the apomediation process for patients. This research focused on social networking sites, which is the tool to be used, while the patients were individuals with an autoimmune disease. The purpose of this research is to construct a framework to understand the extent to which social networking sites support apomediation for individuals with autoimmune disease. Research was conducted on existing models and theories that supports apomediation, as well as investigating which social networking sites are available that best support apomediation based on the core features of these sites. The research then focused on the requirements of individuals with autoimmune disease in respect of apomediation. These building blocks led to the construction of a framework artefact 6 that can guide patients on how to determine the extent to which social networking sites support apomediation. An assessment tool was also developed, based on the framework artefact, to evaluate the framework’s effectiveness in executing its designed intention.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Technology, 202
Enhancing the optimal use of the properties for revenue generation at the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure
Get PDFLiterature on property management revealed that it became a challenge in many countries to manage and maintain properties, especially in the public sector. Concerning public infrastructure, research has confirmed that even in the most developed states, such as Canada and the United States of America (USA), the maintenance of public properties and related services was in danger due to fewer funds being budgeted for maintenance during their life cycle (Kaganova & Telgarsky, 2018). It was noted that there needed to be more studies conducted in South Africa under public infrastructure. This study aimed to explore how the NDPWI could improve the optimal use of properties under its custodianship to maximise revenue generation by carrying out the identified critical success factors from the property managers (internal) and client departments (external). Trying to find a well-maintained property creates more chances for the client departments or tenants to occupy the property for a more extended period while delivering their service to its clients and the NDPWI maximising the revenue generation. “The research applied a literature review and other sources, such as internal or media reports, as a background to discover meaning-making of insights from the property manager’s experiences, which were associated with their perceptions of property management challenges”. This research applied a qualitative research approach. Qualitative content was analysed, utilising a mixture of a deductive and inductive approach. The main reason for utilising both deductive and inductive approaches is that the researcher tried to understand and develop the theory around the NDPWI low-income generation utilising state properties to their optimal use and find out if all properties were well maintained and could, which allowed the NDPWI to maximise income generation. Five conclusions emerged from the findings of this study on insight from twenty-five (25) property managers who have been in their role for a minimum of five (5) years. The proof to substantiate these conclusions came directly from insights shared by the twenty-five (25) participants from their experience in property management. Conclusions were linked to the theories and reports that informed this study. Firstly, this study revealed that the majority of the participants agreed that the role of leadership in property management was critical for giving strategic direction within the organisation, ensuring that there were clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and ensuring there were no contradictions and confusion among the staff while executing their functions. Adequate talent was recruited, but skills were required to be strengthened. Secondly, the study revealed that the non-maintenance of state buildings contributed negatively to the client departments when executing their constitutional mandate efficiently and effectively in a safe environment. Poor building conditions were revealed as among the issues that the client departments needed to be occupying and optimally utilising; instead, they relied on leased inn properties from the private sector. Thirdly, the study revealed that the client relationship and quality of service they received from the NDPWI needed to be improved to ensure that clients were prioritised on their needs and expectations. NDPWI was taking too long to respond to the instruction of the client departments, and it was frustrating the client departments leading to some client departments proposing to devolve the power of the NDPWI to assist them. Fourthly, accessibility of the state properties was not as good as it was supposed to be, as the client departments would need the properties in specific areas, they needed to offer their services, and they could not get such properties under the NDPWI. They ended up looking for leased properties that meet their specification in the procurement instruction in good condition and safety. Fifthly, innovative technology could improve communication between the clients and help save time on conducting meetings in one common place.Thesis (MBA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Business School, 202
Financial deepening and economic performance in South African commercial banks
Get PDFFinancial deepening and economic growth have received much attention in the literature. However, there remains a significant gap in understanding the relationship between financial deepening, and bank performance especially within the context of South African commercial banks. This research aims to investigate the empirical relationship between financial deepening and the performance of all South African commercial banks from 1987 to 2019. The research adopts a descriptive research design and utilizes secondary data along with time series analysis techniques. The research empirically investigates the relationship between financial deepening and bank performance, using financial deepening indicators such as Market Capitalisation (MC), Credit to the private sector (CR), Money Stock (MS), and Bank liquidity (BL). Control variables such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Inflation rate (IF), and Lending interest rate (LR) are also considered. The autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing (ARDL) method is employed to test the relationship between financial deepening and bank performance. The autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing (ARDL) method is employed to test the relationship between financial deepening and bank performance of South African commercial banks. The findings indicate that financial deepening has both short-term and long-term impacts on bank performance. Each component of the financial deepening indicators demonstrates a strong and statistically significant relationship with bank performance. This empirical evidence suggests that financial deepening has made a positive contribution to the profitability of South African commercial banks. Furthermore, the analysis reveals a long-run equilibrium relationship between financial deepening and the economic performance of the South African banking sector. This research addresses the gap between theoretical beliefs and empirical evidence by establishing a robust and positive contribution of financial deepening to the profitability of South African commercial banks. The findings highlight the significance of financial deepening in enhancing bank performance in South Africa.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202
South Africa’s international competitiveness and the 4th Industrial Revolution
Get PDFEconomic growth and development are of major concern for the economy of many countries around the globe including South Africa. The production function predicts that economic growth and development are determined by the quality and quantity of inputs. Economic theory recognizes that there is a positive relationship between productivity, economic growth, and development. Industry 4.0 is predicted to be a major enhancer of productivity. In recent years, the 4th Industrial Revolution has been considered as influential for industrial growth and development. South Africa’s growth in manufactured products requires elements that are characterized by the 4th industrial revolution given the growing but relatively low manufacturing output over the recent period. The adoption of new technologies in the production processes requires structural changes in production requirements and this has implications for the factor market. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of competitiveness on South Africa’s industrial development over the past 20 years (1998 - 2018), in the context of the 4th industrial revolution. A quantitative approach was used to examine the relationship between industry 4.0 and competitiveness and ultimately between competitiveness and industrial development. This study focused on the manufacturing sector and a sample of three industries were randomly selected and they are, the chemicals, the automotive, and the iron and steel industries. The countries of focus are South Africa relative to Germany, China, and the US. A panel data regression analysis technique was employed, and the study utilizes fixed and random effects methods. This analysis method was used to answer the research questions and to address the research aim and objectives. Two models were used to address the aim of the study. The first model determines the relationship between industry 4.0 and competitiveness controlling for capital intensities and labour productivity. The second model determines the relationship between competitiveness and industrial development controlling for trade finance, the real effective exchange rate, trade agreements, and distance. The study found that for South Africa relative to Germany, the fixed effects estimation (estimation 3) shows a positive and significant effect of relative investment on relative total factor productivity controlling for capital intensities, labour productivity, and fixed effects. The random effects estimation (estimation 4) showed a significant and positive effect of relative total factor productivity on the export ratio. The relative real effective exchange rate and the trade agreement dummy were insignificant, but they had the correct signs which are positive. With regards to the findings for South Africa relative to China, the random effects estimation (estimation 3) shows that relative investment has a positive effect on total factor productivity, on average ceteris paribus. The fixed effects estimation (estimation 2) shows that relative total factor productivity is positively correlated to the export ratio, but it is insignificant. The relative interest rate is positively correlated to the export ratio, on average ceteris paribus and this variable is significant. Estimation 3 shows that the relative total factor productivity is positively correlated to the export ratio, but it is insignificant. The relative interest rate variable is positively related to the export ratio, on average ceteris paribus and this variable is highly significant. The relative real effective exchange rate shows insignificant results with regards to its effect on the export ratio for all the estimations with the exception of the pooled OLS estimation. The findings for South Africa relative to the US show that there is a positive and significant relationship between relative total factor productivity and the relative investment in the fixed effects estimation. In the fixed effects estimation (estimation 1), relative investment is positively related to relative total factor productivity, on average ceteris paribus. In the fixed effects estimation (estimation 2), relative investment is positively related to relative total factor productivity, on average ceteris paribus. The relative capital intensity and relative labour productivity variables are insignificant, and the direction of correlation is contrary to expectations. The random effects estimation (estimation 3) shows a negative correlation between relative investment and relative total factor productivity. The estimate is insignificant, and this is contrary to the expectations. On the other hand, the correlation between the relative capital intensity and the relative labour productivity has the expected signs even though both variables are insignificant. The random effects estimation shows that there is a positive and significant relationship between the export ratio and the relative total factor productivity for estimations 2 and 3. The random effects estimation (estimation 2) shows that relative total factor productivity is positively related to the export ratio, on average ceteris paribus. The random effects estimation (estimation 3) shows that an increase in relative total factor productivity also results in an increase in the export ratio, on average ceteris paribus. The relative interest rate and the relative real effective exchange rate variable are insignificant in estimations 2 and 3 but both variables had the expected positive signs in terms of correlation. The recommendations of this study which are informed by the empirical literature discussed and findings are that trade and industry policymakers should provide a policy that directs the investment of resources to new technologies that are being used in the production process of goods and services by the firms/investors to achieve industrial development in the modern day and age. Clarity is required with regards to returns from industry 4.0 investment which may be expected over time since there may be a need for capital budgeting. Provide incentives for the use of labour enhancing industry 4.0 technologies for manufacturers to encourage the employment of labour since labour productivity is important for competitiveness. To complement industrial policy with other relevant policies such as labour and environmental policies. Labour policies are vital for sustainable accommodative industrial policy for Industry 4.0. Factor in a provision for trade finance to further facilitate and stimulate the movement of goods into international markets since trade finance was an important factor for industrial development. Mitigate the barriers that hinder the movement of industry 4.0 technologies locally and internationally. The positive contributions of Industry 4.0 that were determined by this study echo the need for investment into education and training to provide the necessary skilled labour for smart production since this is regarded as a prerequisite for a wholistic implementation of Industry 4.0 and finally outline the necessary standards and regulations for the safe and sustainable use of digital technologies. Suggested future research is to investigate the effect of Industry 4.0 on competitiveness and industrial development in the primary and tertiary sectors to provide the literature which sets out insights on these sectors and informs policy.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202
Factors influencing employee engagement in a flexible work environment: a study of the Road Accident Fund
Get PDFEmployee engagement is a critical aspect of organisational success, and with the increasing adoption of flexible working arrangements (FWAs), understanding its determinants becomes crucial. However, many organisations are struggling to keep employees engaged while offering them flexible working patterns. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors that influence employee engagement among employees of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) in South Africa after the introduction of flexible working arrangements. To achieve the main aim of this study, a literature study was undertaken on employee engagement and a flexible working environment. The main focus of the literature study was to determine the factors with the most potential to influence employee engagement in the context of a flexible working environment. These factors emerged as work-life balance, employee wellbeing, leadership, rewards and recognition, learning and development, employee involvement, effective communication and workplace flexibility. This led to conducting an empirical study utilising a self-administered online survey as the data collection instrument to determine the influence of these factors on the engagement of RAF employees. A scale was developed to determine these factors and the current engagement level of employees at the RAF was measured using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) (2002). A descriptive and correlational research design was employed, utilising a convenience sampling method with a final sample of 413 achieved. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential techniques, including Cronbach’s Alpha, frequency distributions, measure of central tendencies and exploratory factor analysis (EFA), product moment correlation, t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests. This included the testing for potential relationships between the variables of interest.The results of the empirical study revealed some of factors that were identified in the literature review of this study were found to have a positive influence on the engagement of employees working in the flexible working environment offered by the RAF. These factors are employee well-being, leadership, reward and recognition, learning and development, employee involvement, effective communication and workplace flexibility (time). The factors that were excluded by the results were work-life balance and workplace flexibility (place). These exceptions imply that these factors have less influence on the overall employee engagement levels at the RAF. Moreover, the levels of engagement of RAF employees were found to be at a moderate level. Furthermore, the results indicated that regardless of whether employees utilised FWAs or not, their levels of engagement remained at a moderate level. In other words, the utilisation of FWAs did not appear to significantly impact on the overall engagement levels of employees, and both groups exhibited similar moderate engagement levels. The findings also suggest that the RAF should maintain and enhance the factors that have a positive influence on employee engagement. In addition, the organisation should work on addressing those factors that do not play as significant a role in influencing engagement as the other factors. By taking these steps, the RAF can effectively enhance the overall level of employee engagement among its workforce.Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources, 202
Improved service delivery through financial management mechanisms: a case of O. R Tambo District Municipality
Get PDFThe study investigated how effective and efficient financial management mechanisms can lead to improved service delivery in the O. R Tambo District Municipality. The study targeted the political leadership, senior and middle management, and key Budget and Treasury Office (BTO) personnel. The non-probability sampling method was used in the study with semi structured interviews conducted on a seventy-one sample size. The results of the interviews were analysed and pointed to the importance of sound financial management systems being critical to enhancing service delivery in the O. R Tambo District. The levels of understanding the role of financial management systems in municipalities differed across levels of authority but there was a general consensus of how effective and efficient financial management mechanisms affect service delivery. In conclusions municipalities need to continuously strive to skill and reskill personnel to maximize on efficiency and improved service delivery.Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 202
A digital storybook project with mothers of grade four learners in support of literacy learning : A participatory action learning and action research study
Get PDFAccording to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS, 2016), 78% of grade four children in South Africa's poorest communities lack access to adequate educational resources and infrastructure, which prevents them from reading for meaning in any language. Children in South Africa lack the foundational reading abilities required to finish grade four in compliance with international standards. This project used the participatory action learning and action research (PALAR) approach to prepare mothers to create a digital storybook as learner support material and because participatory action research is a method of evaluation that generates data about an ongoing change process and encourages learning amongst the people most intimately connected to the change. The study centred on the use of digital storytelling as a literacy resource to create learning experiences in the literacy classroom, as well as to determine how PALAR can be used as a methodology to aid mothers in creating a digital storybook. The research objectives guided the workshops held over five weeks with twelve grade four learners’ mothers. I held a two to three-hour, one-day start-up workshop that was recorded and documented. The key advisory set (KAS) members received baseline checklists, which were then sent to the action learning set (ALS) members in their respective groups. The information received from the checklist was used as discussion points in the follow-up workshops. Critical discourse analysis (CDA) served as the foundation for the data analysis. The generated data was interpreted and analysed using Schneider’s (2013) ten work steps. The data-gathering method was based on a qualitative approach and the study was underpinned by critical theory and critical pedagogy that enabled a collective approach which results in greater epistemic justice. The principal, parents, and learning support specialists (LSSs) had informal pre-entry talks before the start of the official data collection. A total of twelve participants were chosen for this study based on their willingness to participate and their being parents or guardians of children in grade four. The research objectives informed three iterative cycles of planning, observing, and reflecting. The usage of both open and closed coding led to the emergence of three main themes, which were understanding literacy, communication between school and parents, and learning materials. iii New categories were created because of the continuous comparison and analysis that were employed between cycles to answer the sub- and main research questions. Data generated throughout the three cycles revealed the mothers' concerns, misconceptions and level of knowledge and commitment to the creation of literacy resources and the possibility of creating a digital storybook. Despite the workshops generating advancement and excitement, the findings indicate that the participants' assessments of their role in the creation of learning materials varied. The report indicates that the parents felt powerless to influence educational decisions based on their past and present experiences regarding their involvement and interaction with the school. It is necessary to employ strategies to put parents at ease and to reassure them that their opinions are important and required to ensure their children’s educational achievement. Essentially, this means ascertaining how to guarantee closer relationships between parents, teachers and learners. Recommendations are made regarding parental involvement in curriculum development based on the study's findings. The recommendations include effective parent-teacher communication through parental involvement in curriculum development, increased parent-teacher interaction to meet learners’ needs more effectively, and finally, an expansion of the study considering a larger sample size, a new study site, and an expansion of the goals beyond the digital storybook.Thesis (MEd) -- Faculty of Education, 202
Field mapping and geochemistry of lower Jurassic sediments and volcanics of the upper Karoo supergroup near Ha Mosi, Lesotho mountains
Get PDFGeological mapping in the Lesotho-Drakensberg Mountains spans over 100 years with du Toit and Stockley being the major contributors to the published maps and to the understanding of emplacement of the Karoo Large Igneous Province (KLIP) in the countries of South Africa and Lesotho. Despite the detailed previous work, there remains limited data on paleoenvironmental changes at the contact between the sedimentary and volcanic sequences of the upper Karoo Supergroup. This study aims to map the lithostratigraphic boundaries, volcano-sedimentary facies and faults near Ha Mosi in southern Lesotho. A total 48 rock samples were collected for petrography, XRF and ICP-MS analyses. The new results were used to characterize the local chemostratigraphy and to propose new regional correlations across Lesotho and South Africa. In this thesis, eight lithostratigraphic units were defined with a total thickness of 550 m. The first two units (Units 1 and 2) comprise massive and bedded sandstones, interpreted as possible floodplain and ephemeral lacustrine deposits; these are ascribed to the upper Stormberg Group. These units are unconformably overlain by locally preserved thin basaltic (Unit 3) flows that are characterised by high Zr/Nb and Zr/Y ratios; and low Ti/Zr and P/Zr ratios similar to the Golden Gate Unit of the Drakensberg Group. The lava flows are overlain by bedded sandstone ascribed to Unit 4 and volcaniclastic breccia ascribed to Units 5 and 6. Unit 6 consists of a monolithic breccia that is composed of angular sandstone clasts similar to those of the underlying Stormberg Group. The monolithic breccia transitions upwards into a massive megaclastic clast-supported volcanic breccia, which consists of angular to sub-rounded basaltic and doleritic boulders. Petrified wood fragments are found within the megaclastic breccia, indicating the presence of vegetation during deposition and enhanced preservation. Unit 6 laterally grades into Unit 5, which is characterised by poorly bedded breccia composed of angular sandstone, mudstone clasts with minor basaltic and doleritic clasts and, breccia intraclasts. The breccia units are often associated with reworked sediments interpreted to be deposited by fluvial systems. The breccia is conformably overlain by basaltic lava flows (Unit 8) characterised by high Ti/Zr and P/Zr ratios and moderate to low Zr/Y and Zr/Nb ratios compared to the Unit 3 lavas and is similar to that of the Sani Pass Unit of the Drakensberg Group. The basaltic sequences in the Ha Mosi studied area preserve both pahoehoe textures and pillow lavas, indicating subaerial and subaqueous volcanism. The studied lithologies are intruded by gabbro and dolerites of the Karoo Dolerite Suite at 183 Ma. This stratigraphy records the transition from sedimentation in the Karoo Basin through to a dominantly volcanic succession, which has importance in terms of the Toarcian extinction at ca. 182 Ma. Mapped faults and associated fractures are orientated predominantly NW-SE with the hanging walls moved maximum 80 m to the south. The different dykes and fault structures possibly relate to the Weddel Triple Junction that developed during the Early Jurassic break up of Gondwana, between 200 and 180 Ma. The mapped lavas show that the magma source was a chemically heterogenous mantle that was subjected to different degrees of partial melting, with the introduction of small-scale chemical heterogeneities. The geodynamic setting is comparable to the Afar Triangle of north-east Africa where active tectonics created a large-scale NW-SE orientated fault system in response to crustal thinning and rifting. In both the Afar and Lesotho, vertical movements created lowlands that allow for the preservation of volcanic breccia and basalts with pillow lavas. These findings show that existing geological models in the Drakensberg-Lesotho Mountains can be improved upon detailed field mapping and geochemistry.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Environmental Sciences, 202
Mechanical recyclability and biodegradation of biopolymers, biopolymer blends and biocomposite in natural environmental conditions
Get PDFThe present research aimed at investigating mechanical recyclability and studying the potential biotic and abiotic degradation behaviors of biobased biodegradable polymers in different environmental conditions. The mechanical recyclability tests monitored the effect of multiple reprocessing on the mechanical, thermal, physical, chemical, and morphological properties of poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), poly (butylene succinate) (PBS), poly (lactic acid) (PLA), PBAT-PBS blend, and PBAT-thermoplastic starch (TPS) composite. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a conventional non-biodegradable plastic, was also monitored for comparison studies. The mechanical recyclability tests were carried out by eight melt extrusion cycles using twin-screw extrusion and injection molding processing techniques. Tensile testing, impact analysis, melt flow index test (MFI), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were employed to monitor the effect mechanical recycling at each melt extrusion cycle. Tensile and impact strength results showed that PBAT and PBAT-TPS biocomposite were mechanical recyclable for at least eight cycles and this was comparable to LDPE recyclability performance. In contrast, neat PBS, PLA, and PBAT-PBS blend were found to be melt extrudable only up to six cycles as the mechanical properties declined with the increase of reprocessing cycles. MFI tests suggest that molecular weight of PBAT and PBAT-TPS were not significantly affected by multiple extrusion cycles while the melt flow properties of PBS, PLA, and PBAT-PBS samples were affected from third cycle. DSC, TGA, and DMA demonstrated that PBAT and PBAT-TPS were more thermo-mechanically stable than PBS, PLA, and PBAT-PBS blend. FTIR spectroscopy results showed that the chemical structure of both PBAT and PBAT-TPS were unaffected by the multiple recycling cycles typically indicated by characteristic peak vibrations bands of C=O and C-O around 1710 cm-1 and 1046-1100 cm-1, respectively. SEM micrographs of PBS, PLA, and PBAT-PBS clearly evidenced the degradation of the biopolymers by severely fractured morphology as a result multiple reprocessing cycle.The rate of aerobic biodegradation for PBAT-PBS and PBAT-PLA blends was examined under controlled home and industrial composting using the CO2 evolution respirometric method. FTIR, DSC, TGA, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and SEM were employed to monitor the changes in the structural, chemical, thermal, and morphological characteristics of the biopolymer blends before and after biodegradation. The biodegradation tests showed that PBAT-PBS and PBAT-PLA blends exhibited higher degradation rates under industrial composting conditions than under home composting conditions. The increased intensity of hydroxyl and carbonyl absorption bands on the FTIR spectra confirmed that the biodegradation process occurred. SEM revealed that there was microbial colony formation and disintegration on the surfaces of the biopolymer blends. Moreover, abiotic degradation results suggested that thermal and hydrolytic conditions influence the degradation process than sunlight exposure. Additionally, aquatic biodegradation results showed that PBAT-PBS blend and PBAT-TPS composite undergo a higher rate of biodegradation as compared to PBAT, PBS, and PLA.The results obtained from this research work conclude that biobased biodegradable polymers can be mechanically recycled, and they are suitable for biological degradation in industrial composting, home composting and marine environment.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, School of Biomolecular and Chemical Sciences, 202