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Content distribution framework for wireless mesh networks : an information-centric approach
No full textThesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Information Centric Networking (ICN) is an emerging research field that aims to
replace the current host-centric model of Content distribution on the Internet. In ICN
architectures, network devices not only forward Content, but also store it thus
effectively distributing the traffic load and making access to Content faster. In this
thesis, the ability to utilize ICN as the content distribution scheme in WMNs is
explored.
The main contribution is the development of IcnMesh – a simulator that integrates a
Content-Centric scheme in Wireless Mesh Networks thus allowing the study of ICN
Content distribution schemes in WMNs. Through simulation experiments, it is shown
that ICN schemes can significantly enhance the performance of a WMN and eliminate
some of their existing shortcomings
The social determinants for theiInstitutionalisation of knowledge sharing in a selected organisation in the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The aim of this study was to explore the social determinants for the institutionalisation of knowledge sharing within an organisation. Institutionalisation offers stabilising benefits and contributes to nurturing a culture of knowledge sharing. Systematic sharing of knowledge cannot take place unless there are procedures, policies and guidelines for knowledge sharing.
Giddens’s concept of duality of structure was used as the theoretical lens.
Institutionalisation is considered to be rules that are shared and that recognise categories of social actors and their applicable activities or relationships (Barley & Tolbert, 1997). Challenges arise when knowledge sharing is not as efficient as it should be due to many constraints. One of them is inadequate procedures and policies for knowledge sharing. Systematic sharing of knowledge cannot take place unless there are procedures, guidelines and policies for knowledge sharing (Riege 2005). Sharing of knowledge cannot be effective if suitable procedures and processes are not in place (Riege, 2005:28-32).
The research used a mixed method approach and employed an interpretive case study methodology. A focus group was conducted from a qualitative stance, followed by a survey from a quantitative perspective with senior, medium and junior-level staff members working within the Development Information and Geographic Information Systems department of a selected municipality in the Western Cape, South Africa. The sample represents a hundred percent of the population being all sixty staff members for the DI & GIS department, from which seven were used for the focus group from the qualitative perspective and the remainder for the quantitative survey. For the qualitative side, content analysis was used to analyse data generated from the focus group, while a descriptive statistical analysis was employed to analyse the data gathered from the quantitative survey.
The findings suggest that organisational structure, policies, processes, corporate governance and technology are major enablers for the institutionalisation of knowledge sharing in an organisation. Management support and organisational culture were also recognised as social factors for knowledge sharing institutionalisation. New strategies for reinforcing efforts to nurture and invigorate the institutionalisation of knowledge sharing within an organisation were generated and presented as a general framework
Assessing the role of stokvels in the start-up and growth of Cameroonian owned businesses in the Cape Metropole
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration (Entrepreneurship)))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Entrepreneurial activities are very evident within the Cape Metropole as the proliferation of small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) will attest. The most recent literature confirms the preponderance of immigrants in these economic activities. This phenomenon is unfolding against the backdrop of the contingent of challenges which they face which are not limited to discrimination, limited access to finance from formal financial institutions, inadequate skills, and language barriers. The limited access which they have to obtaining finance from formal financial institutions constitutes one of the most significant obstacles for many immigrant entrepreneurs. There is evidence to suggest that in response to this state of affairs, immigrants resort to unconventional means to obtain finance for their entrepreneurial activities. It has been found that, immigrants form self-help financial associations which are known as stokvels in South Africa as a means of obtaining the finances which are needed for the start-ups and even for the growth of their businesses. In fact, it could be asserted that the inability of immigrant entrepreneurs to obtain loans from commercial banks and other related financial institutions has resulted directly in the creation of immigrant-run informal financial institutions such as stokvels. Consequently, the main objective of this study was to assess the role which stokvels which are known in Cameroon as “njangis” or “tontines”, play in the start-ups and growth of businesses which are owned by Cameroonian immigrants in the Cape Metropole.
Both quantitative and qualitative approaches and research methods were used to conduct this study. The quantitative and qualitative data was collected through the administration of a questionnaire and the conducting of face-to face interviews respectively, owing to the nature of the target population. The data which was collected from the respondents who completed the questionnaires was captured, categorised and analysed in relation to the research questions through the use of SPSS statistical software and the findings were presented in the form of frequency tables and pie charts.
The study ascertained that “njangis” play a very important role in the businesses of Cameroonian immigrants and in their daily lives as they are not only a source of capital for the start-ups and expansion of the businesses of their members, but they also provide a means of saving money, as most of them do not have access to bank accounts. According to some of the respondents, some of the “njangis” even serve as forums for discussing business ideas. Like most other organisations, stokvels have their own unique challenges, which will be discussed comprehensively in Chapter Four, particularly with respect to the methods which are employed to overcome them. It is the considered opinion of the researcher that it is in the domain of entrepreneurship in particular that South African citizens could learn a great deal from immigrants from other African countries about the successful starting and running of small, medium and micro sized businesses as recent literature has demonstrated quite conclusively the significant contribution which their entrepreneurial enterprises make to the development of the South African economy, in terms of both earning revenue for the South African government and providing employment to South African citizens
Metal and microbial contamination of agricultural soil and the Veldwachters River, Stellenbosch, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Environmental Health))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Surface water is used as a source of water supply in many countries, including South Africa. One of the sources of surface water pollution is leachate and surface runoff from landfills. In agricultural soils, the landfill runoff and leachate deteriorate the quality and affect the fertility of soil. The entry of metals and microorganisms from landfill leachate to adjacent environments is through surface runoff due to rainfall. Adverse effects on human- and environmental health triggers a need to monitor and control contaminants in the environment. The aims of the study are to determine the effect of landfill runoff and leachate on agricultural soil and river water (Veldwachters River) running adjacent to the Devon Valley landfill site and to identify potential metal-tolerant organisms in environmental samples collected in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa. Samples (agricultural soil, river water and sediments) were collected once a month for a period of six months from the study area for analysis. Physicochemical parameters that are known to have major effects on environmental samples were assessed and the concentrations of various metals (Al, Pb, Cr, Mn, Mo, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd and V) were also determined by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Soil texture analysis was tested in order to monitor the metal distribution in soils under the influence of environmental factors
Condition monitoring of squirrel cage induction generators in wind turbines
No full textThesis (MTech (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Globally governments are faced with challenges in the energy sector which are exacerbated by uncertain financial markets and resource limitations. The over utilization of fossil fuels for electricity generation has had a profound impact on the climatic conditions on earth. Coal power stations release carbon dioxide (CO2) during the combustion process and studies show that concentrations have sharply risen in the atmosphere. Adverse environmental conditions like global warming exist as a result of high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in particular CO2.
In 2015 Eskom constructed Sere Wind farm with a supply capability of 100 MW. Due to the lack of technical expertise and skills with regard to the new technology within Eskom, Siemens was offered a 5 year maintenance contract. Siemens also provides training on basic operation and maintenance (O&M) of the wind farm to Eskom staff. This excludes specialised training on Siemens Turbine Condition Monitoring (TCM) systems which is a critical part to develop optimum maintenance strategies.
This shortage of specialised skills in the application of condition monitoring techniques within Eskom is a major concern. If the most cost effective maintenance strategies during the contract period are implemented, the long term plant health and design life of Sere wind farm will be reduced. There is a need to develop new condition monitoring techniques to complement or address the shortcomings of the existing systems. Developing these skills will increase the understanding of the technology and improve the operating and maintenance of Sere wind farm
Operational framework to settle contractual claims in construction projects
No full textThesis (MTech (Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Delays are frequent and recurring in construction projects, mostly in developing
countries. Several factors pertaining to modes of operation in the local construction
industry contribute to construction delays. Contractual claims are integral and an
important feature of construction project's life. Often times, delay-related contractual
claims in construction projects is a controversial issue that often leads to disputes
and conflicts between contractual parties due to its ambiguity and complexity.
Literature have shown over the last decade a range of problems that have
consistently resulted in construction delay and significant costs to all contractual
parties due to contractual claims in almost all types of construction projects.
Therefore, to achieve more time efficiency on construction projects, comprehensive
studies on common problems resulting in routine delays due to contractual claims is
essential. Such studies need to pinpoint the most relevant causes of delay that have
to be monitored carefully in order to avoid the construction delays. Thus, this study
adopted a quantitative research method. Closed ended and open ended questions
were designed in the quantitative instrument for the quantitative survey. Descriptive
and Principal Component Analysis was employed for data analysis to develop an
operational framework for evaluating delay related claims in the South African
construction industry. Findings from the analysis of data revealed several factors
through which, when appropriately evaluated will reduce the incidence of contractual
claim to minimum if not completely eliminated in construction project.
The study has found that delay-related claims are increasingly emerging and have
become the most common and costly problem in construction projects which not only
deny the client timely access to the completed facility but disrupt the overall
performance of the building project. This study also concludes that the contractual
claims that often lead to dispute during execution of building projects are; Change
order claim, Variation order claim, Cost and expense claims and Dayworks claim.
Therefore, evaluation of these claims must be given careful assessment during the
construction phase of a building project to forestall its attendant consequence on
project performance. Inconsistencies in the operational dealings with contractual
claims in the South African construction industry showed that; release of payment
emanating from claims, quality of management and design coordination, nonavailability
of specified materials and change in micro economic policy are the most
significant in evaluation factors which must be considered in evaluation of accurate
and undisputed contractual claims. This study also affirmed that the three principal
components that lead to claim and dispute when combined explained 49% of the
total variance. Also, it was concluded that arbitration is most appropriate for dispute
due to; shortage of materials, claims in fluctuation of the materials price, physical
environmental consideration, and conflict of interest among the project team.
Litigation is most appropriate to resolve dispute due to access to the construction
site. While mediation is most suitable for dispute due to; inability of the client to
understand design, the choice of the procurement process, delay in release of
payment emanating from claims, lack of prompt delivery of materials by the
suppliers, interference with utility lines and extreme weather condition. Lastly,
Negotiation is most suitable for dispute arisen from constructability of the design and
non-availability of specified materials
Design and operation of a stand-alone solar pathway for public park lighting
No full textThesis (MTech (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.The development of solar roads to convert insolation on vast stretches of land to electrical energy,
otherwise dedicated solely for transportation, is in its nascent stage. A great potential is seen for PV
application with the maturing of solar road technology. Apart from increasing the versatility by smart
utilization of land resources, widening the cover of renewable energy generation will lead to a
sustainable, secure energy future. A stand-alone solar pathway for public park lighting or area lighting
system, completely independent of the power grid, was designed and operated. Public lighting for
65 m stretch of walkway located next to the Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
Department building, was chosen as a case study in this study. The case study presented simplified
method for sizing, performance evaluation and simulation of a stand-alone solar pathway to power
public lighting on the Bellville Campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Depending on the requirements of the electrical, the quantity and quality of lighting, as well as the
required duration of the lighting were calculated. Battery storage capacity, based on the desired
autonomy period, and maximum and average daily depth of discharge, were sized. PV array size,
based on the type and specifications of PV module, the time of year with the highest average daily
lighting load and minimum solar radiation, were selected and measured. Control strategies for battery
protection and lighting control conditions were determined, and the control set points were specified.
The operating efficiency of solar pathway was evaluated and showed excellent performance compared
to the expected with annual average value of the monthly performance ratio and system efficiency. A
stand-alone solar pathway system was programmed using MATLAB, in order to size a PV system to
the supply public lighting for the walkway. The computer program used, can be applied to any site
with different weather conditions
Aspects of thermography for non-destructive testing in mechanical maintenance
No full textThesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-contacting, non-destructive testing (NDT) technique that provides relatively fast results from inspections; for example, in the detection of defects in engineering components and in systems' condition monitoring. This study examines the use and possible effectiveness of infrared thermography for the detection of faults and defects in just a few aspects that one encounters in the vast mechanical maintenance arena. The study discusses three aspects of infrared thermography, namely internal leaks inspections using passive infrared thermography, pulse thermography and induction thermography both active IRT NDT techniques for the detection of subsurface and surface defects.
The promising results that were obtained by performing an experiment in the laboratory using a model fluid handling pipe network, with three isolation valves connected in parallel, encouraged performing inspections in an operating power plant, where it was suspected that there were leaks from safety and drain isolation valves. In both situations, the results were obtained in a short period of time and indicated that passive infrared thermography can detect internal leaks in pipe networks.
Pulsed thermography is an active non-contacting non-destructive testing technique used to detect subsurface defects in monolithic materials and delamination's in composites. In the particular experiment that was performed pulse thermography was benchmarked with the conventional technique of ultrasound testing. PVC, stainless steel and mild steel specimens manufactured with flat bottom holes (as models of subsurface defects) were subjected to pulse thermography. The time duration to detect the presence of a defect represented by a temperature contrast or a hot spot on the specimen's surface was approximately a couple of seconds following the thermal excitation. No further characterization of the defect was possible with the technique. In contrast when using the ultrasound testing technique to test the specimens, it took considerable time to detect the defects, however, data in terms of size and depth beneath the surface became available thus enabling their full characterization
Challenges to women entrepreneurship in Kigali, Rwanda
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration (Entrepreneurship))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Given good conditions, women can run businesses, support their families and the
community, and contribute to economic growth. The lack of women’s involvement in
entrepreneurship is a huge loss to the nation and society. Women make up 51.83% of the
population in Rwanda, but are underrepresented in business – largely due to social customs,
religion, and cultural beliefs. Society perceives women as too weak to conduct business, and
prefers them to be confined to housekeeping activities and dependency on men.
Interestingly, literature indicates that involving women in entrepreneurial activities help.
Despite this, women in Rwanda have broken the barrier and started up business. However,
they face many challenges; their businesses remain small scale compared to their
counterparts. The aim of this study is to determine the challenges experienced by women
entrepreneurs in Kigali. This research is significant because it attempts to identify the
challenges to entrepreneurship in Kigali, by allowing the voices of women entrepreneurs to
be heard.
The study uses a quantitative descriptive approach. The target population was women in
formal and informal business in the districts of Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge in the city
of Kigali. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 398
women entrepreneurs after obtaining their informed written consent. The data was analysed
using recent Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Findings were
interpreted and discussed in a numerical narrative featuring frequency, percent, valid
percent, cumulative percent, mean, and standard deviation.
The results show that women entrepreneurs in Kigali experience more challenges, among
others including: High shop rentals, lack of start-up capital, lack of collateral to obtain a loan,
high taxes, high interest rate and high transport, and a lack of information technology skills.
This study has uncovered that women entrepreneurs face a lot of challenges while running
their business in Kigali. Fortunately, the solution is within reach. For instance, women
entrepreneurs themselves, family, society, government, stakeholder, and researchers should
work together to eradicate these challenges. Women entrepreneurs should work together in
cooperatives to minimise shop rentals, possible access to capital and so forth. In addition,
they can leverage their experience and know-how
The impact of social entrepreneurs on community development in the Cape Metropolitan area (Western Cape South Africa)
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.Social entrepreneurship is well positioned in tackling socio-economic problems in poor
communities. Besides transforming the market, the impact of social entrepreneurship is
becoming more important for the world to improve social challenges and provide social
innovation solutions that are sustainable and effective. Regardless of the positive
performance of activities implemented by social entrepreneurs in tackling socioeconomic
issues in the Cape Metropolitan area, their impact on community
development remains unknown and is negatively perceived by the communities. This
study sought to develop an understanding from communities of how social
entrepreneurship impacts their development and to determine its social impact. The
study investigated the impact of social entrepreneurship on community development in
order to improve interaction among stakeholders. The research questions were: What
impact do social entrepreneurs have on communities? How can social entrepreneurship
improve development in communities? What forms of support do social entrepreneurs
need in order to effectively develop communities? A mixed method approach
(qualitative and quantitative) was used to collect data through semi-structured
questionnaire and interview to determine the needs and capture the views of
stakeholders regarding the impact of social entrepreneurs on community development.
Social entrepreneurship is a tool that can tackle deprived communities’ problems,
especially in the Cape Metropolitan areas of Khayelitsha and Gugulethu where socioeconomic
problems such as health, education, and others are increasing. Social
entrepreneurs’ activities are laid to develop the community as they provide
comprehensive care, support the most vulnerable communities and strive to improve
the quality of health, education and unemployment. It was found that improvements
through training, educating and facilitating communities’ engagement in different
activities such as home-based care and developing children mentality in creating space
for every person to develop their needs is what could promote and impact community
development. However, it was also found that social entrepreneurs sometimes use
resources or methods of monitoring that are deemed useless to attain their objectives