Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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A comparative study of new senior school leader perceptions of development programmes in the United Arab Emirates and South Africa
No full textThesis (DEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Vice-principals and principals play an essential role in school leadership teams, and the
development programmes in which they participate to ensure effective Strategic Leadership
in schools, have been the subject of intense debate for many years.
Employing a mixed-method case study approach, this study examines and compares the
perceptions, roles and responsibilities of newly appointed senior school leaders in two
country contexts, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Specifically, it explores
the professional development opportunities that newly appointed senior school leaders in
Abu Dhabi, UAE and the Western Cape, South Africa, have been exposed to. It further
investigates the particular professional development needs of these senior school leaders.
This study uses Critical Realism theory as a philosophical lens through which to explore the
perceptions of newly appointed senior school leaders on their roles, responsibilities,
competencies and developmental needs. A comparative case study approach with qualitative
and quantitative techniques was employed, and comprised of three elements. Firstly, a
detailed questionnaire survey was administered at Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and
the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). Secondly, follow-up interviews were
conducted with 25 per cent of the respondents for clarification and to establish the accuracy
of data collected during the first phase. Finally, semi-structured interviews were conducted
with officials from both ADEC and the WCED to gather further contextual data for each case.
The main study findings confirm that as senior school leaders transition into their roles at
ADEC and the WCED they require distinctive support in a variety of ways. It was found in
both systems for instance that the training programmes are not appropriately designed,
delivered, and aligned to the perceived needs of the respondents, and that they need
appropriate and more contextualised, individualised, in-office support once appointed.
The study's findings are consistent with the literature that newly appointed senior school
leaders welcome support from mentors and role models but require to a lesser extent formal
courses. They confirmed the current gap between the perceived needs of newly appointed
senior school leaders and the current development programmes provided to support them,
and identified a clear shortfall in their current competencies
Bio-oxidation of ferrous iron at low temperature conditions in a packed bed column bioreactors
No full textThesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The oxidation of microbial ferrous iron is an important sub-process in the bioleaching process. Several studies focussing on microbial ferrous iron oxidation have been investigated and reported in various studies. These studies were carried out using stirred tank bioreactors and shake flasks at optimum conditions. However, these studies could not describe the context of heap bioleach system. Packed column system may describe heap bioleaching, and most studies on microbial ferrous iron oxidation were performed under flooded conditions, which do not represent solution flow dynamics in a heap situation.
Biooxidation of ferrous iron oxidation kinetics of Acidiobacillus ferrooxidans was studied in a packed-bed bioreactor to investigate the kinetics in a system that mimics the solution flow dynamic of a heap bioleach operation at low-temperature conditions. This was done in a batch mode operation, with glass marble (15 mm) as reactor packing. The pH of the bioreactor was maintained at pH 1.35 ± 0.05 and aeration at 500 ml/min. Unstructured models known as Monod and Hansford were used to describe the experimental data in determining the kinetics of bio-oxidation
The determination of distribution coefficient for some elements on the macroporous cation exchanger Amberlyst 15 using nitric acid – methanol mixtures
No full textThesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The main purpose of this study is to understand the application of ion exchange
chromatography on separation of charged ions of elements. Ion exchange chromatography is an analytical method, which is used for the separation of elements,
quantitation and qualitation. The use of Amberlyst 15 resin as a source of separation for
metal ions has been investigated and studies in various academic disciplines such as
chemistry and material science. In this research study, Amberlyst 15 resin was
investigated in order to understand the separation of positively charged divalent
elements ions (Zn2+, Cu2+, Co2+ and Ni2+). The use of nitric acid and methanol mixture
enhanced separation of these metal ions by ensuring that nitric acid is constant and
varying methanol concentration. In this study, it was found that the resin has a high
affinity for the metal ions at high methanol concentration, hence the distribution
coefficient values increase but decreases at low methanol concentrations. The complexities of molecular structure of the salts of the elements provide the more
understanding of the metal ion interaction with the resin particle. Furthermore, the role
and strength of nitric acid to break the structural bonds and release the metal ions to get
sorbed on the resin remains the most essential factor of understanding distribution
coefficient values. Method validation parameters such as linearity, precision and
accuracy of the method were determined. The method precision and accuracy were
determined from the QC samples which is expressed as relative error (%RE) with the
total coefficient of variation (%CV’s) were < 20%
An audit of public funded capital investment in tourism projects in the Eastern Cape Province
No full textThesis (MTech (Tourism))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.This dissertation deals with an audit of community tourism projects that were invested in, in the Eastern Cape as part of government intervention to create job opportunities and contribute to the growth of the Eastern Cape economy through the tourism industry. The focus is on projects that received capital allocations for infrastructural development rather than operational costs. The study sought to achieve the following objectives:
• Determine the status quo of publicly funded capital tourism projects developed since 2004.
• Determine the modus operandi followed with regard to capital tourism projects.
• Determine the reasons for the successes or failures of these projects.
• Provide recommendations to address gaps and failures in tourism projects. The key informants to the study were steering committees that were established to implement community tourism projects. The steering committees are represented by government officials (local, provincial and national), consultants and community trusts or any community structure that represents the broader community. The study revealed three types of community projects, namely:
• Projects that are operational – although there are projects operating, the number is insignificant and it is unlikely that they would achieve the objectives that they were built for. The overall operational status does not warrant the R500m that was invested by government.
• Projects that operated before but closed hence, referred to as ‘white elephants’ – there are a number of projects that were in business but currently closed due to poor management and lack of skills.
• Projects that were under planning during the survey – these are projects that have been under planning for a very long time
Multi-stakeholder approach to planning into 2010 FIFA World Cup initiatives : a case of a non-host area in South Africa
No full textThesis (DTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The hosting of mega-events such as the 2010 FIFA World CupTM create expectations from the host nation, especially in the host cities. This is largely due to the impacts associated with the hosting of such events. Planning is perceived to be at the centre of successful hosting of such events. Planning also assists in making sure that benefits from such events are maximised and costs minimised. Events like the 2010 FIFA World CupTM do not only require high level planning but also a multi-stakeholder approach. With South Africa and the continent hosting the FIFA World CupTM for the first time since its inception, expectations were rising from both host and non-host areas. The study investigates a multi-stakeholder approach to planning on the 2010 FIFA World CupTM initiatives conducted by a non-host area - Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM), Western Cape, South Africa. The location of the CWDM is less than 45 minutes from the host city (Cape Town). By virtue of its close proximity, the CWDM positioned itself to leverage from the event as a result of possible spill-over effects. The study was driven mainly by five objectives. These include the identification of 2010 FIFA World CupTM planning initiatives, assessment of planning initiatives in relation to beneficiation of local municipalities, gaining an understanding of ways in which various stakeholders are involved in the planning initiatives, ascertaining ways in which various stakeholders perceive the benefits/spill-over effects and examining the alignment, integration and co-ordination of the 2010 FIFA World CupTM planned initiatives in the CWDM. In pursuing these objectives, both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used in the collection of data. Respondents included residents (n=1 250), established businesses (n=108) and CWDM officials (n=5), using stratified random sampling, convenient sampling and purposive sampling, respectively. A total of 1 363 questionnaires were administered among the respondents of the study
Students’ perceptions of the relationship between work experience and university learning
No full textThesis (MTech (Graphic Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.This research investigates students’ perceptions of the relationship between work experience and university learning. The subjects of the study were third-year students from the Faculty of Informatics and Design at a university of technology in Cape Town, South Africa, and the research focused on the graphic design department within this faculty.
The research was approached from an interpretivist’s lens in an attempt to explain and understand the experience that students have in their short time in the industry, namely a two-week work placement, and how they related this to university learning. Students were interviewed before and after work placement in terms of their experience and insight into the relationship between university and the workplace.
The research shows how design students experience the processes of learning at the workplace, compared with the processes of learning at university. The research results indicate that students found collaboration and teamwork in the workplace valuable and meaningful. In addition, the different levels of skills in the community of practice in workplaces gave students a wider variety of solutions as they could draw from fellow workers’ experience and skills. This contrasted with university where they work alone and have to produce solutions on their own. Further investigation highlighted that at university there was evidence of interesting findings of timetables, value of the work group, and that at university students are taught in sections compared with the workplace where they draw on anything and everything to complete the assignment.
This research makes a few recommendations based on the data collected. These insights can be used to inform policy and practices, further research and development work in the future
An integrated approach for information security compliance in a financial services organisation
No full textThesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The aim of this research is to identify and explore the factors affecting information security compliance of information security policies and regulations, in a financial services organisation. The organisation has to comply with information security regulations and legislations by righteousness of its operations in light of the fact that any wrong doing together with misuse of data, are continually expanding. Corporate embarrassments comes about due to rupture of security, results in expanded thoughtfulness regarding corporate consistency. Legislature and policies have been set up to counter information security issues. This legislature and policies are not adequately addressing the compliance issues that arise, but are needed within organisations. Compliance targets are not met due to inconsistent guidelines that turns out to be significant in diminishing the financial position, reputation and security of information. This research further aims to explore whether employees comply with laws and regulations regarding information in an organisation. This is done in order to confirm whether governance and human factors play any significant part in compliance. The research is an exploratory study and specifically analyses the governance function and which stakeholders influence its operations in information compliance. The research investigates certain questions on organisational culture and the human factor, do influence employee’s compliance to laws and regulations. The objectives of the research are to investigate which factors, and how such factors influence compliance of information security policies and compliance with the goal of designing an integrated framework to assist in counteracting these findings. The research is underpinned by the Neo-institutional theory, Agency Theory and Rational choice theory. The Denison organisational cultural model and a framework proposed by von Solms are used as lenses to interpret the data of the research
An investigation into the validity and reliability of an instrument for the assessment of clinical performance during work integrated learning of emergency medical care students at the University of Johannesburg
No full textThesis (MTech (Emergency Medical Care))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Background - As emergency medical care students approach the exit level
of their four-year qualification, additional focus get placed on assessment of
their ability provide patient care in the real world pre-hospital emergency care
environment. Upon graduation, there is no opportunity for newly graduated
emergency care practitioners to complete an internship programme. The
assessment of clinical competence is therefore regarded as a critically
important and invaluable activity within the academic unit. Academic staff
within the Emergency Medical Care department at UJ recognised the need for
the development of a standardised assessment instrument to purposefully
assess pre-hospital clinical performance and developed an assessment
instrument referred to as the University of Johannesburg Clinical Performance
Assessment Instrument (UJ CPAI). Having developed the UJ CPAI it became
necessary and important to scientifically investigate and evaluate the extent
to which the CPAI (as a newly developed instrument) meets the requirements
of what is considered to be a "good assessment instrument". For this reason
investigation of the validity, reliability and end-user support for the
implementation of the UJ CPAI became the central aim and focus of this
study
Measurement of the usability of web-based hotel reservation systems
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The aim of this research project was to determine what the degree of usability is of a sample
of online reservation systems of Cape Town hotels.
The literature has indicated that the main aim of website usability is to make the engagement
process with a website a more efficient and enjoyable experience. Researchers noted that
well designed, high-quality websites, with grammatically accurate content, create a
trustworthy online presence. User-friendly sites also attract far more traffic. Previous
research has also shown that a loss of potential sales is possible due to users being unable
to find what they want, if poor website design has been implemented. Loss of potential
income through repeat visits is also a possibility, due to a negative user experience. The research instrument that was employed in this research is usability testing. It is a
technique used to evaluate product development that incorporates user feedback in an
attempt to create instruments and products that meet user needs, and to decrease costs.
The research focused on Internet-based hotel reservation systems. Only the usability was
measured. Both standard approaches were used in this research project, in a combined
quantitative and qualitative research design.
In conclusion, the purpose of this research was to determine the degree of usability of
specified Cape Town hotel online reservation systems. The outcomes of this study indicated
interesting patterns in that reservation systems met user requirements more often than
expected. However, the figures of acceptability obtained were still below the generally
accepted norms for usability. The amount of time spent to complete a booking also
decreased, as users worked on more than one reservation system
The impact of time lost through absenteeism on service delivery in the South African Police Services (SAPS), the area Kuilsriver cluster, Cape Town, Western Cape.
No full textThesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Absenteeism in the South African Police Service is without doubt one of the most difficult aspects to manage. It is therefore important for the organisation to have measures in place to reduce absenteeism. More focus is put on the cost of absenteeism without realising the enormous adverse effect it has on service delivery in the South African Police Service.
By reducing the absenteeism rate by just one day per employee, organisations can boost productivity, improve morale and improve their profit margins significantly (Nel, 2013:1). This research project examined the impact on service delivery of time lost through absenteeism in the South African Police Service with specific reference to the Kuils River cluster Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Problems relating to absenteeism as well as the main contributors to absenteeism were identified by the researcher and recommendations were made.
A quantitative research approach was followed with a survey amongst staff members. The data analysis from the questionnaire was compiled by the in-house statistician that was recommended by Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The research project makes recommendations that address the problems highlighted in this empirical study, as well as a recommendation for further studies