Cape Peninsula University of Technology
CPUT Electronic Theses and Dissertations RepositoryNot a member yet
2175 research outputs found
Sort by
The nature of reflective practice in Grade R
Get PDFThesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019The quality of education in South Africa has drawn critical attention as children continue to perform poorly as they progress through school. Reflective practice is promoted and implemented internationally as a method to improve quality teaching and learning. Nationally a growing interest in the implementation of reflective practice is reflected in the Department of Basic Education’s suggestion that teachers make use of reflective practice to inform their classroom planning.
The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge and understanding Grade R teachers have of reflective practice. As Grade R is the first year and the foundation of a child’s school career, it was of interest to explore whether teachers reflect on their practice.
This study was located in an interpretivist paradigm using a case study design. Two Grade R teachers were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Their annual, termly and weekly planning was analysed alongside the transcripts of the interviews, using thematic analysis to identify common themes of reflective practice in Grade R.
Five themes emerged from the analysis, which enabled the exploration of the benefits and challenges of using reflective practice in Grade R. These five themes allowed for the development of the idea of using reflective practice as a means for improving teaching and learning in Grade R. The teachers interviewed value the idea of reflective practice as a way to meet the needs of the children. They describe it as an innate aspect of their teaching. However, they have a tacit understanding and knowledge of reflective practice and it was not evident in the documents they use to inform their teaching.
For reflective practice to be encouraged teachers need support from within their schools and from the Department of Basic Education
System design for production of biopreservatives from yeasts for reduction of fruit and beverage spoilage organisms
Get PDFThesis (PhD (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019The agro-processing industry is currently facing losses due to microbial spoilage of agricultural produce and associated value-added products such as beverages. Decay and undesired fermentation of fruit and beverages by fungal, yeast and bacterial spoilage organisms are among the major contributors of product losses in the food industry. When looking at the different level of food spoilage, it is common to find different spoilage organisms occurring in the same food item; which usually requires food producers to utilise a mixture of synthetic preservatives for spoilage organism control. Some of the synthetic chemical compounds with growth inhibition properties that have been used in food preservation are sulphur dioxide, benzoic, lactic, sorbic and acetic acid. These compounds act against a variety of spoilage microorganisms. In post-harvest control of fungi, triazoles, hydroanilide fenhexamid, dicarboximides and succinate dehydrogenase are also being used. Some spoilage organisms have been found to be resistant to the use of synthetic chemical preservatives which usually favour the use of higher dosage of preservatives in food. The use of synthetic chemicals as preservative and as postharvest control agents has been found to present serious health risks such as cardiovascular diseases, muscles and stomach pains, eyesight and skin damages and impairment of brain functions. The problem posed by the current use of synthetic chemicals in food put pressure on food producers and exporters to seek alternatives that will allow for the eradication of the use of synthetic chemicals as preservative in beverages and as postharvest control agents on fruits.
Yeasts have been found to have the ability to grow at a faster rate on cheap media and to colonise dried surfaces rapidly. It has also been found that yeasts produce extracellular compounds of proteinaceous and volatile organic nature with growth inhibition properties against spoilage organisms. The current findings lack some engineering concept that could assist in the design of a production system for high scale production of biopreservation compounds from yeasts. The availability of a cost effective production media, the growth and production kinetics data using a cheaply available nutrient sources as well as the biological thermodynamic data are some of the gaps in biopreservation bioprospecting. Although several yeasts have already been studied to have great inhibition properties against fruit fungal pathogens, it was still unclear what was the minimum inoculum dose to be able to have a fungistatic and fungicidal effect on the growth of fruit spoilage organisms. The concept of combination of biopreservatives and the interaction effect of their biopreservation activity against consortia of spoilage organisms has also been lacking.
As an attempt to seek alternatives to the use of synthetic chemicals as preservatives or postharvest control agents, Candida pyralidae Y1117, Pichia kluyveri Y1125 and Pichia kluyveri Y1164 strains were assessed for antimicrobial activity against spoilage yeasts (Dekkera bruxellensis, Dekkera anomala, Zygosaccharomyces bailii) and spoilage fungi (Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum and Rhizopus stolonifer). As alternative to refined media, a cost effective approach was explored whereby the use of agro-waste, i.e. grape pomace extracts (GPE), as production medium for biopreservation compounds, was studied. Production kinetics using modified existing models, subsequent to optimization using response surface methodology (RSM) for biopreservation compounds production was studied for the three biocontrol yeasts using GPE broth as the fermentation medium. The evaluation of the interaction study between mixtures of crude biopreservatives against consortia of common spoilage organisms present in beverages was also conducted by producing the crude biopreservation compounds separately from yeasts and then formulating growth inhibition combinations (GICs); GIC 1 (Candida pyralidae Y1117 and Pichia kluyveri Y1125); GIC 2 (C. pyralidae Y1117 and P. kluyveri Y1164), GIC 3 (P. kluyveri Y1125 and Pichia kluyveri Y1164); GIC 4 (C. pyralidae, P. kluyveri Y1125 and P. kluyveri Y1164). The spoilage organism consortia combinations, i.e. SC1, D. anomala and D. bruxellensis; SC2 (D. anomala and Z. bailii); SC3 (D. bruxellensis and Z. bailii) and SC4 (D. anomala, D. bruxellensis and Z. bailii) were also prepared. This study also investigated the effect of varying inoculum dose (ID) of Candida pyralidae strain Y1117, Pichia kluyveri Y1125 and Pichia kluyveri Y1164 on the biocontrol of Botrytis cinerea by contaminating the headspace of the growth medium with a fungal plug subsequent to biotreatment with different initial inoculum dose of the respective biocontrol yeasts. Finally, grape pomace extracts was used as fermentation medium to study the biological thermodynamics of biopreservation compound production from the three biocontrol yeasts.
The results obtained demonstrated some interesting results. The antagonistic properties of C. pyralidae and P. kluyveri were observed on cheap solidified medium (grape pomace extracts) as well as on fruits (grapes and apples). These yeasts produced extracellular volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that could be responsible for yeast and fungal growth inhibition. Twenty-five VOCs in the category of alcohols, organic acids and esters were identified by GC-MS. The results of the kinetic study showed that the highest volumetric zone of inhibition (VZI) was 1.24 L contaminated solidified media (CSM) per mL biopreservation compounds used (BCU) when Candida pyralidae Y1117 was inoculated in a pH 3-diluted GPE broth (150 g L−1) incubated at 25 °C for 24 h. Similar conditions were applied for Pichia kluyveri Y1125 and P. kluyveri Y1164, albeit under slightly elongated fermentation periods (up to 28 h), prior to the attainment of a maximum VZI of only 0.72 and 0.76 L CSM mL−1 ACU, respectively. The potential biopreservation compounds produced were identified to be isoamyl acetate, isoamyl alcohol, 2-phenyl ethylacetate and 2-phenyl ethanol. The growth inhibition interaction study showed a variation in growth inhibition proficiency depending on the spoilage organisms or the consortia of spoilage organisms being deactivated. It was then suggested that, a food environment contaminated with a consortium of spoilage organisms can be controlled by employing either the crude biopreservation compounds from individual yeast or those of the following yeast combinations, GIC1-4, which showed a better growth inhibition proficiency against SC1-3. The fungistatic and fungicidal effects on the fungal pathogen were dose dependent. The fungistatic characteristics against Botrytis cinerea were displayed after 7 days when 102-105 cells mL-1 of Candida pyralidae Y1117, Pichia kluyveri Y1125 and Pichia kluyveri Y1164 were independently used in-vitro and in-vivo. However, 106-108 cells mL-1 inoculum doses displayed fungicidal characteristics. Additionally, the fungicidal property of yeasts studied was also confirmed on table grape (in vivo studies) using closed jar method. The biological thermodynamic study showed that, dried biomass molecular weight of 28.9 g/C-mol, 29.163 g/C-mol, and 27.176 g/C-mol were obtained for Candida pyralidae strain Y1117, Pichia kluyveri Y1125 and Pichia kluyveri Y1164 respectively. The results obtained successfully established useful biological thermodynamic data applicable to the design of adequate biopreservatives production system from yeasts using cheaply available nutrients source
A molecular-based analysis of the antibiotic biosynthetic potential of selected marine Micromonosporaceae Species
Get PDFThesis (MSc (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Introduction:
The discovery of the first antibiotic, penicillin, paved way for many other discoveries and developments much to the benefit of antibiotic treatment against bacterial infections. As years went by, the irresponsible use of antibiotic compounds in the medical, agricultural and veterinary fields, as well as lack of robust infection control protocols in clinical spaces, led to the emergence of antibiotic tolerant and resistant microorganisms. In an attempt to arrest the crisis, the discovery of new bioactive compounds that can be developed into potent novel antibiotics has been of importance. Amongst the many sources of bioactive compounds that have been researched for decades, microorganisms of the genus Micromonospora have been well documented as producers of potent bioactive metabolites, many of which have been successfully developed into novel commercial antibiotics. There is, however, a dearth of research information concerning the possibility of novel bioactive metabolites isolated from Micromonospora species from South Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the antibiotic biosynthetic potential of selected marine Micromonospora species isolated from the Algoa Bay region in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Method:
A total of 30 Micromonospora strains isolated from Algoa Bay region, Port Elizabeth in South Africa were provided as frozen stock cultures at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Biocatalysis and Technical Biology (BTB) research unit. The strains were first cultured on SGG and 172 F solid and liquid media, with and without artificial sea water (ASW). The Gram stain was performed to ensure purity of strains and to evaluate microscopic morphology before extracting DNA. Multi-Locus Sequence Analysis (MLSA) of the rpoB and gyrB housekeeping genes was performed as well as 16S rRNA gene analysis. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA X and phylogenetic trees were constructed to this effect. Eight antibiotic biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) were screened for via PCR. Gaps in the current primer sets available for BGC screening were analysed. Genomic data for 44 Micromonospora strains was retrieved from EzBiocloud and antiSMASH and these assisted with primer designing after assessing primer-knowledge gaps. The designed primers were designed to target BGCs encoding for bacteriocins and lanthipeptides and were tested on five selected Micromonosporaceae strains. The antibacterial activity of the top five strains was also investigated using overlay studies on solid media cultures and bioautography studies in liquid media cultures. In addition, the efficacy of antibiotic extraction was tested through the use of five different antibiotic extraction techniques.
Results:
Our results demonstrated that all the strains under study were viable Micromonospora species. Phylogenetic analysis of the five strains chosen for further analysis identified their closest related validly published type strain as Micromonospora aurantiaca ATCC 27029. Furthermore, one of the eight BGCs that were screened for, the Type II PKS BGC, was positive in 28 out of the 30 strains. Genomic information of the genus Micromonospora was retrieved from antiSMASH which assisted in assessing gaps in current primer knowledge. Ultimately this led to the design of new primers to target bacteriocin and lanthipeptide BGCs. Four of the five strains tested gave a positive PCR result, albeit with multiple bands. The multiple bands on the agarose gel signified non-specificity in the binding capacity of the designed bacteriocin BGC primers hence there was no exclusive and convincing evidence of existence of this gene cluster. Negative PCR results were observed for the Lanthipeptide primer set. Antibacterial activity analysis on solid and in liquid culture media proved that the five selected strains produced bioactive compounds that were active against Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922) pathogens as well as yeast (Candida albicans ATCC 24433).
Conclusion:
The Micromonosporaceae species that were under investigation in this study show great potential as sources of bioactive metabolites with broad spectrum antibacterial activity as well as antifungal activity. These should be considered as suitable candidates for whole genome sequencing as well as comparative genome sequence analysis for greater insights into the M. aurantiaca group
Real-time probabilistic reasoning system using Lambda architecture
Get PDFThesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019The proliferation of data from sources like social media, and sensor devices has become overwhelming for traditional data storage and analysis technologies to handle. This has prompted a radical improvement in data management techniques, tools and technologies to meet the increasing demand for effective collection, storage and curation of large data set. Most of the technologies are open-source.
Big data is usually described as very large dataset. However, a major feature of big data is its velocity. Data flow in as continuous stream and require to be actioned in real-time to enable meaningful, relevant value. Although there is an explosion of technologies to handle big data, they are usually targeted at processing large dataset (historic) and real-time big data independently. Thus, the need for a unified framework to handle high volume dataset and real-time big data. This resulted in the development of models such as the Lambda architecture.
Effective decision-making requires processing of historic data as well as real-time data. Some decision-making involves complex processes, depending on the likelihood of events. To handle uncertainty, probabilistic systems were designed. Probabilistic systems use probabilistic models developed with probability theories such as hidden Markov models with inference algorithms to process data and produce probabilistic scores. However, development of these models requires extensive knowledge of statistics and machine learning, making it an uphill task to model real-life circumstances. A new research area called probabilistic programming has been introduced to alleviate this bottleneck.
This research proposes the combination of modern open-source big data technologies with probabilistic programming and Lambda architecture on easy-to-get hardware to develop a highly fault-tolerant, and scalable processing tool to process both historic and real-time big data in real-time; a common solution. This system will empower decision makers with the capacity to make better informed resolutions especially in the face of uncertainty.
The outcome of this research will be a technology product, built and assessed using experimental evaluation methods. This research will utilize the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology as it describes guidelines for the effective and rigorous construction and evaluation of an artefact. Probabilistic programming in the big data domain is still at its infancy, however, the developed artefact demonstrated an important potential of probabilistic programming combined with Lambda architecture in the processing of big data
The use of electronic narratives records to support the decision-making process in oncology care at private hospitals in Cape Town
Get PDFThesis (MTech (Information technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Electronic narratives are recognised for their significant contribution to healthcare – emphasising that the patient’s narrative should not only be included, but valued. The survival rate of cancer patients in the UK, USA, Italy and Australia are improving, making it necessary to investigate the use of electronic narratives in private oncology centres. This research, conducted in Cape Town, South Africa, started off by critically analysing available scientific information. Subsequently, a gap was identified regarding the use of electronic narratives as a way of acquiring important data from patients – something that is crucial in the treatment process (from the pre-diagnosis to the follow-up), and in decision-making. The lack of narratives in electronic health records (EHRs) could affect the quality of the decision-making process, particularly for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD); which could result in administering incorrect dosages of medication leading to deterioration of the patient’s health, and in some cases, even death.
The purpose of this research was to explore the use of narratives in electronic health records to support the decision-making process by healthcare professionals in private oncology care. The study was qualitative; hence interviews were used for data collection. A purposive sample of eighteen healthcare professionals (oncologists, psychiatrists and general practitioners) was used in this study. The data was then analysed thematically, and the interpretation thereof done subjectively.
The key findings of this study indicate that electronic health records are used considerably in private oncology care due to benefits such as real-time access to information and easy back-up. Healthcare professionals acknowledge that narratives are present in oncology care, and mainly used in the diagnosis phase. These narratives are mostly in note format (hand-written on paper). These written notes are then later recorded into the patient’s electronic health record which, in many cases, results in the omission of important information, because not everything the patient said is transcribed into medical jargon. The current system in private oncology care does not support electronic narratives even though healthcare professionals express an interest in using this. The findings further suggest that to successfully implement electronic narratives, there are basic prerequisites such as a computer or tablet, recording devices and software. Furthermore, the findings show that electronic narratives are often not used due to limited knowledge, lack of interest, specific cultural practices, and the fear of change.
To alter and positively transform healthcare professionals’ and patients’ views of electronic narratives, the researcher recommends educating healthcare professionals about the value of patients’ narratives. In other words, providing training is crucial as narratives contain values that aid constructive decision-making. Furthermore, since narratives involve patients, extending training to the patients will be beneficial. The findings of this study contribute to the current literature on electronic health records and narratives in private oncology care of South Africa
Co-design of youth wellbeing indicators for ICT intervention in an underserved community in South Africa
Get PDFThesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019The challenges faced by members of underserved communities in South Africa have frequently been reported in literature. To ameliorate these challenges, different interventions have been introduced both locally and internationally to improve the wellbeing of the members of these communities. One such intervention is the introduction of information and communication technology ICT as a means to close the digital divide and meeting the socio-economic needs of the community. Youth living in these communities are expected to derive more benefit from ICT interventions as they have been reported to be more technology savvy and dependent on technology than the older adults are. However, the failures of ICT interventions deployed by donors have also been reported in literature. Authors have identified several reasons for the failure of ICT interventions, but a lack of consultation with the beneficiaries of this type of intervention is common to many findings. The exclusion of the youth as major beneficiaries of ICT interventions causes a lack of alignment between the interventions deployed for their use and the actual wellbeing needs of the youth in underserved communities. The failure of ICT interventions increases the digital divide and frustrates the good intentions of local and national government as well as international donors to improve the wellbeing of the youth in underserved communities.
By using the concept of wellbeing, the study aimed to explore how youth wellbeing indicators can be used to facilitate effective ICT interventions for youth empowerment and development in underserved communities in South Africa. Furthermore, the study aimed todesign an ICT-based artefact to prioritise youth wellbeing indicators in underserved communities in South Africa.
The study was implemented through a qualitative research method using a service design strategy that allowed for a participatory research approach and co-design instrument for data collection from the youth living in Grabouw anunderserved community in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Data was collected from 40 youth aged between 15 and 30 at two workshops. Content analysis technique was used to analyse data.
Findings from the research show that given the opportunity, the youth are able to determine their social-economic needs. A comprehensive set of wellbeing indicators was developed. Thirteen wellbeing indicators symbolising the issues in the community were prioritised, which are:unemployment, self-image, reaching full potential, family support,access to water, sanitation and electricity,meaning and purpose of life,being healthy,religious practice,educational level,future expectations,freedom of expression,skills to get a job, and access to skills and training. Overall, nine categories of wellbeing indicators were identified; of these, seven are similar to theGlobal Youth Wellbeing Index(GYWI) categories. Three new categories – aspiration, social support, and infrastructure and services – were realised. The three factors are an indication that the Grabouw youth may have special needs different from the global perspective as specified by the GYWI categories. Moreover, the priorities of the wellbeing indicators when compared to the GYWI rating for South Africa differ significantly, which may indicate that the needs of the youth living in underserved communities may vary largelyfrom other youth in the country. Furthermore, an artefact that can be used to prioritise wellbeing indicators was designed.
It is important for stakeholders of ICT interventions to embrace participation of the beneficiaries as a means of aligning interventions to their needs. These stakeholders need to seek ways of developing artefacts that address the needs, not limited to health, so that the youth can take advantage of technology to improve their wellbeing on a continuous basis
Assessment of environmental exposure to air pollution within four neighbourhoods of the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Environmental Health))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019.Background: A recent review on the effects of ambient air pollution on human health in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically calls for an urgent need for more epidemiological studies in developing countries due to a lack of data in these countries. Air pollution information on exposure is important for understanding and addressing its public health impact in developing countries. In many African countries, the spatial distribution of air pollutants has not been quantified even though air pollution is a global public health risk. The main goal of the study was to quantify and compare the seasonal spatial variation of household air pollution in the 4 Western Cape neighbourhoods.
Methods: Weekly indoor and outdoor measurements of Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Ozone (O3), Carbon monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were conducted at 127 households in four informal settlement areas (Khayelitsha, Marconi-Beam, Masiphumulele and Oudtshoorn) during one month each in summer and winter. PM2.5 measurements were conducted using Mesa Labs GK2.05 (KTL) cyclone with the GilAir Plus Air Sampling Pump, Gases were measured using Passam passive samplers. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata V12. Simple linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between continuous exposure levels and the respective predictor variables. These include distance to major roads, bus routes, open grills and waste burning sites.
Results: The highest average weekly outdoor PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations for summer were recorded in Milnerton (8.76 µg/m3 and 16.32 µg/m3 respectively). However, the highest average concentrations during winter for PM2.5 were recorded in Oudtshoorn (PM2.5: 16.07 µg/m3), whilst the highest NO2, was recorded in Khayelitsha (NO2: 35.69 µg/m3). SO2 levels were consistently low during both seasons. Noordhoek generally recorded the lowest average levels for all pollutants. Winter average weekly concentrations were generally higher than the levels recorded in summer for all pollutants. In a sub-sample of indoor and outdoor measurements, the results were comparable for PM2.5, NO2 and CO. However, the results of Ozone (O3) showed relatively higher (~10 times) outdoor compared to indoor levels. Linear regression modelling results revealed that significant predictors of elevated exposure to PM2.5 were proximity to construction activities and open grills. Analysis demonstrated a clear dose-response relationship with distance, with open grills within 1000m associated with a 0.33 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 to 6.77 µg/m3 at a distance of 25 meters. Results from the linear regression modelling revealed that significant predictors of exposure to NO2 were proximity to rapid transport bus stops, bus routes, taxi routes and major routes. Distance to rapid transport bus stops demonstrated an increase in NO2 between 0.09 µg/m3 (at 1km) to 2.16 µg/m3 (at 50m) during summer. A similar pattern was observed for taxi routes and bus routes displaying an increase of 6.26 μg/m3and 6.82 μg/m3 respectively within the proximity of 1000 meters.MAUERBERGER Foundation Scholarshi
Employee perceptions of organisational culture constructs in selected non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Cape Town, Western Cape Province
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019.Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are perceived to be poorly performing partly due to their culture; the constructs of NGOs’ culture usually affect employees’ commitment and performance negatively, leading employees to leave the organisation. This discourages and demoralises employees’ mind sets to perform as expected which affects NGOs’ productivity, goals and competitiveness in a negative way. The study investigated employee perceptions in organisational culture constructs to selected NGOs in Cape Town in order to generate valuable information in understanding the role of organisational culture in the achievement of organisational objectives in NGOs. Mixed methods approach was used in this study as it allowed collecting of qualitative and quantitative data simultaneously and assessing different facets of complex outcomes in a richer way than one method alone. The study found that culture is set to boost employees’ and organisations’ performance, and that managers and owners in NGOs have knowledge of this. The study revealed that some criteria such as openness and the creativity view of the organisational culture are only considered positive to managers and owners of NGOs. This study found that managers and owners in NGOs believe the implemented organisational culture is very effective, positively affects and boosts employees’ performance. The employees, however, had a different perception; they feel excluded from the development of the organisational culture which in turn affects their commitment and performance in a negative manner. This study found that employees’ commitment towards organisational culture derives from the way it is designed and how it suits employees’ expectations. Aspects such as remuneration, a safe work environment and sustainability, were found to be important for employees’ performance and commitment. Therefore, it is evident that directing or developing NGOs’ organisational culture that focus on employees’ expectation such as remuneration and sustainable employees’ innovation and practice will receive more support from employees. Furthermore, the criteria are keen to improve the way employees perform and commit to the organisation. It was recommended that NGOs involve employees in the design or development of its organisational culture in order to have more information on employees regarding what to expect from them. Another major implication is that the issue of employee benefit or remuneration have to be addressed in order to maintain employees’ performance
Evaluating compliance risk and ethical behaviours within selected department stores in the Cape Town Metropole
No full textThesis (Master of Internal Auditing)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019It is common knowledge that consumers in South Africa are generally over-indebted. Retailers operating department stores need to exercise vigilance to maintain ethical standards and compliance risk awareness in accordance with statutory and governance requirements in respect of credit. Research has revealed a reckless credit environment, with inadequate training, instruction and sensitisation informing the process of making borrowers aware of the complexities of obtaining credit. This study sought to evaluate compliance risk and ethical behaviours within selected departmental stores in the Cape Town Metropole, South Africa, where credit facilities are extended to customers. Since these stores do not adequately assess the compliance risks and ethical behaviours in their credit granting process, they lose potential profits, which can affect the long term viability and sustainability of their business activities. The research assesses the processes encompassing the credit environment vis-à-vis the processes associated with credit granting to customers within departmental stores. A number of retail department stores in Cape Town were selected using the convenience sampling method. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data, which was analysed using quantitative research methods. The study’s findings indicate that although departmental stores have written procedures in place, and incorporate some level of training for staff on credit policies, their credit granting environments are not uniformly distinguished by the practical application of the appropriate ethical behaviour. The study adds value and contextual perspective to knowledge about the domain of credit sales and their risk attributes, and also proposes possible future research
Implementation of the Marks Administration System (MAS) at a Western Cape university
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019This study investigated the implementation of the Marks Administration System, (MAS), within the context of technology and innovation in South African universities following the growth in student numbers. Using a purely descriptive approach, it focused on the implementation of the technology of mark administration (MAS) at the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town. Primary sources, which include original documents and first-hand information served as the method of data collection to explore some of the challenges associated with the process of technology implementation during and post-implementation phases. The study found that, a decade after implementation of MAS at the university, there still exist challenges such resistance and lack of compliance, which are often compounded by technical problems. The former was attributable to the lack of user involvement and wide consultations about the process during the introduction and implementation phases