Cape Peninsula University of Technology
CPUT Electronic Theses and Dissertations RepositoryNot a member yet
2175 research outputs found
Sort by
The effective application of information systems within SMMEs for long term competitive advantage
No full textThesis (MTech (Information and Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.It has been shown that the South African insurance landscape takes up an important place in the African continent, contributing nearly three quarters of the total African insurance sector (Paul, Twala & Marwala, 2012). The industry landscape has shown development at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7% between 2004 and 2008. The life insurance industry is assumed to grow at a CAGR of 8.3%. Small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) are important role players in every economy and provide a major contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) and employment. Many South African enterprises have in the past focused on local markets, but more recently SMMEs have been forced to respond to competition in the global market as markets expand. The role of SMMEs is considered critical in terms of poverty alleviation, employment creation, and international competitiveness. However, resource limitations have made it difficult for many SMMEs to enter new markets and compete effectively. The effective application of information systems (IS) are viewed as a way for SMMEs to become more competitive and drive business benefits such as cost reduction, improved profitability, enhanced customer service, new market growth opportunities, and more efficient operating relationships with trading customers and partners. There are an increasing number of new opportunities and competition in the marketplace because of business globalisation. The marketplace and business globalisation dynamics have a major influence on SMMEs and their operations. SMMEs require a critical evaluation of their internal processes and seek out solutions to be able to sustain their growth and competitiveness. This research study adopted an inductive approach to describe the rational process of establishing a general proposition on the basis of observing particular facts. An in-depth case study is used to explore the multiple perspectives of the complexity and uniqueness of SMMEs. One-on-one interviews were conducted to collect data from 17 financial advisors using an interview guide with semi-structured questionnaires. The data were analysed through the process of thematic coding which is common in case study research, and labels were assigned to form and organise the themes in groups and categories. Ethical consideration was presented before data collection commenced, and the autonomy, self-respect and human dignity of all respondents during the data collection process were considered. The findings reveal that financial service providers (FSPs) have a different understanding of IS, what competitive means, and what it can do for a business
The slow adoption of telecommuting in South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University, 2016.Climate change imposes indisputable burdens on economic development by significantly causing damage to the environment. In the transportation sector, carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles are seen as top environmental pollutants around the world and in South Africa. Despite increasing environmental issues, many people, including business leaders, generally think of environmental issues as disconnected from their everyday business lives and behavioural patterns.
The Republic of South Africa as a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) encourages any practices and processes that will control, reduce or prevent anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases. The adoption of telecommuting for travel reduction can impact positively on environmental sustainability by reducing the amount of commuter driving and thus reducing carbon emissions. Telecommuting is an arrangement where an employee works from home or out of office using telecommunication links (internet, email and/or telephone) to reduce commuting to and from the office, enhance productivity in the organisation, and reduce office space requirements. However, despite the well documented benefits of telecommuting, the uptake of telecommuting in South Africa is slow.
This study falls under the Green Information Technology research field. The aim of the study is to identify the reasons behind the slow adoption of telecommuting in South African organisations. The study followed embedded multiple-case studies. Qualitative data were collected from nine companies using semi-structured interviews with 19 participants comprising of Information Technology (IT) and Human Resource (HR) managers, telecommuters and non-telecommuters. The companies were selected to be as diverse as possible in the operating sector and both purposive and snowball strategies were used
Design of a new protective isolating side-door : a virtual model to simulate ingress and egress motion for micro-mobility vehicles
No full textThesis (MTech (Industrial Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.This paper is positioned within the broader context of public transportation systems, with specific focus
on the development of urban micro first and last mile mobility solutions, and what it could mean for
individuals and the economy.
Globally, urban problems such as traffic congestion, poor public transport integration, and carbon
emissions are forcing us to rethink traditional means of transport. Large fossil-fuelled vehicles and
limited public transport infrastructure characterize South Africa’s transport market. Despite the growth
in car use, public transport and walking are still the predominant “lifeline” forms of mobility for the vast
majority of South Africans in order to access work, schools and services.
Moreover, the lack of public transport services in key economic corridors and rural areas of South Africa,
the role of the metered taxi industry which is currently effectively limited to serving only the needs of
the tourist market due to high charging regimes, and finally, the absence of an effective inner city
transport system endorses the lack of first and last mile transportation solutions, and the integration
thereof with other transport mediums. This adds to the conflict commuter’s face on a daily basis in
obtaining a seamless distribution of transport services. 80% of trips in urban areas are less than 3km, placing urban micro mobility vehicles in an ideal position
as a solution to transportation. This describes the investigation conducted into micro-mobility trends
within South Africa to identify a key mode of transport that would comply with the stated requirements,
and allow accessibility to commuters within the city and to the surrounding communities.
In 2014, Mellowcabs, which are electric public transport vehicles that provide first and last mile
transport services, was identified as a promising candidate within the local micro-mobility vehicle
context. They were in need of a design input for their immediate next requirement, which thus
describes the development of a good protective side door system that would isolate passengers in
adverse weather conditions, whilst similarly affording comfort and safety features found in normal
passenger vehicles.
The design process is focused on creating a new side door, however, at the same time the product
should be, elegant, smart, fashionable, comfortable, economical, maneuverable and safe. In addition,
the virtual product lifecycle management tool, CATIA, allows the design team to get feedback in terms of
physical-based data that correspond to how the door could hinder the passengers interaction while they
ingress and egress the vehicle. This enables us to try various designs to perform a comparative study
without building a single physical prototype
The use of mathematical resources to teach number concepts in the foundation phase
No full textThesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The poor performance of learners in mathematics has long been a matter of concern in South Africa. One certain fact from the Annual National Assessment (ANA) results is that the problem starts in the Foundation Phase (FP) with number concepts. The aim of this study was to explore how five Foundation Phase teachers located in challenging socio-economic school contexts in the Western Cape used mathematical resources to promote teaching for understanding of the important number concept area in CAPS. These resources included humans, materials, culture and time.
The research was located within the interpretive qualitative research paradigm and used a case study approach. The participants in the study included five FP teachers teaching Grades 1 to 3 at two schools in the Western Cape. Data was collected through lesson plan analysis, lesson observations and semi-structured interviews. The data collected was then analysed through the lens of Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory. Socio-cultural theory maintains that knowledge is best acquired if it is mediated by language, more knowledgeable others and physical tools. Vygotsky believed that knowledge is first acquired interpersonally, then intrapersonally, as learners first learn from others, then internalise or individualise knowledge while going through the four stages of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).
The findings of this study revealed that teaching for understanding was often compromised by teaching to enable learners to pass assessments. Teachers understood the importance of using resources to teach number concepts in the Foundation Phase, but inclined to rote teaching with work drills in preparation for assessments such as the Annual National Assessment (ANA) and the systemic assessment. Resources were often used when learners struggled to understand concepts and as calculation tools.
This study supports the view from the literature that the way in which resources are used affects the teaching and learning of number concepts. It recommends that teachers should read and follow the CAPS mathematics document, as it clearly states what resources to use and how. This study further recommends that more research on the use of resources to teach mathematics in other content areas should be done
‘n Evaluering van opvoedermoreel in skole in Wellington
No full textThesis (DEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Teaching is one of the most challenging and demanding professions in the world. It seems as though teachers are being stretched to the limit and that this has a negative impact on educator morale. Expectations placed on educators seem to be expanding exponentially in South Africa.
A study has been undertaken to analyse and assess educator morale in schools in the Wellington area. The main aim of this study was to establish which factors influence educator morale. The aims that emerged was a literature study about educators’ morale and to establish how educators’ morale influence the functioning of schools. The last aim of the study was what can be done to assure continuous high educator morale.
The literature study formed the starting point of this investigation. The literature study was followed by a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods within an interprevistic research paradigm. A questionnaire was used to collect data and feedback was given to three focus groups. The questionnaire concentrated mainly on aspects on national and provincial level, those in the school community and on school related levels whilst the third group related to the daily educational task of the educator in the classroom.
The qualitative instrument was handed out to 137 respondents in schools in the Wellington area. The validity of the responses and the findings were tested by means of feedback to the focus groups to get their views about the findings of the literature study and the feedback from the questionnaires. The reliability of the data was tested by means of interviews with three focus groups. Triangulation was applied by means of qualitative and quantitative research methods, a literate study and focus group interviews.
In conclusion, recommendations were provided to improve educators’ morale in schools in South Africa
Improving outage process maturity level using a process maturity model
No full textThesis (MTech (Quality (Engineering)))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The research study establishes the maturity level of the outage process of the Outage Management Department at Eskom. The outage process started in 2012 to contribute to the effective planning and execution of outages. The successful completion of outages depends on effective planning and execution of an outage. At the time of the research study, poor outage performance at Eskom’s power stations contributed to load shedding of electricity in South Africa.
The research problem statement reads as follows: The absence of an outage process maturity indicator diminishes the ability of the Outage Management Department (OMD) to comprehend the current process maturity level. The research question: Will the Outage Management Department be able to identify improvement opportunities if the maturity level of the outage process is established?
iv
The key research objectives are:
• To consider how process maturity enables improvement.
• To identify critical elements in an outage process.
• To determine what is included in outage planning, control and improvement.
• To identify a suitable process maturity model.
• To identify a measurement instrument to determine the maturity level of Eskom’s outage process
The research study uses a descriptive research design and applies the survey research method. Greener and Martelli’s (2015: Online) Business Research Process (Sources: Greener & Martelli, 2015: Online) is used together with Farooq’s Research Steps for Survey Research (2015, Online). The survey questionnaire adopted from Smith’s Maintenance Planning and Scheduling Maturity Matrix (2013: Online) was used to develop the survey questionnaire. The author developed the Outage Management Maturity Framework by combining Business Process Management Maturity model and a Maintenance Planning and Scheduling Maturity Matrix.
The research finding is that a process maturity model can determine the maturity level of the outage process and is useful as a process improvement tool. The research findings rank the maturity level of the outage process at Level 2, Experimenting
Managing absenteeism in vocational education in Botswana
No full textThesis (MTech (Human Resources Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Absenteeism has proven to be a global problem in the workplace, which is further exacerbated by multifaceted factors that cause absence. It is pervasive, inevitable and has an undesirably negative impact on the operations and service delivery of an organisation, if not managed properly. Generally, absenteeism disrupts the work environment and negatively affects the organisation and employees’ morale.
A literature search was conducted on the causes, costs, impact, measurements, consequences and strategies of absenteeism in the workplace. Literature on job satisfaction as a concept was also conducted on personal and organisational sources, both content and process theories, and consequences of job satisfaction. The researcher also conducted a survey questionnaire with a sample of employees at DTVET to ascertain their perceptions regarding absenteeism and job satisfaction status within the department.
The aim of the study was to identify the main causes of high absenteeism and to determine the status of job satisfaction levels in DTVET. The study identified the causes of absenteeism among DTVET employees, and discovered that reasons are attributed to: work overload; lack of employee health programmes; lack of resolution of employees’ problems; headache problems; inconsistent application of absenteeism procedures; lack of autonomy; lack of an effective performance reward system; backache problems; sick leave entitlement mentality; stomach upsets; and, finally, colds and flu.
Findings also revealed that DTVET employees mostly derive their job dissatisfaction from: work overload; bureaucratic processes; benefits; pay; lack of recognition for work well done; and lack of promotion opportunities. This finding also supports Robbins’s (2003:82) conclusions that the consequences of job dissatisfaction may lead to employees missing work, this may also be expressed in various forms i.e. employees complaints, insubordination, steal organisational property, reduce effort, chronic absenteeism, increase error rate, lateness etc.
Realistically, absenteeism in the workplace will never be eradicated, however, with proper management interventions, absenteeism rates can be reduced to acceptable levels
Challenges and prospects for small-scale mining entrepreneurs in South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Small-scale mining entrepreneurs are confronted with a variety of challenges during both the start-up and growth phase of their businesses not only in South Africa, but all over the world. Most small-scale mining entrepreneurs are not able to take advantage of the opportunities that are available to them. This retards the growth of their businesses. The aim of this study was to investigate the challenges and prospects for small-scale mining entrepreneurs in South Africa, the support structures available to them as well as the factors that could make them successful. The research problem in this study is that the mining sector is biased towards more established companies and against small-scale mining entrepreneurial operations, which marginalises small-scale mining entrepreneurs. Despite being a significant source of revenue for South Africa, the mining sector does not directly benefit the historically disadvantaged people. Notwithstanding government interventions, small-scale mining entrepreneurs face numerous challenges during both the business start-up and growth phase of their businesses with very few prospects of succeeding. This is a qualitative study that uses a series of face-to-face interviews with mining entrepreneurs in South Africa to generate data. Given that small-scale mining entrepreneurs are in most cases part of the informal sector and difficult to locate, a database of small-scale mining entrepreneurs was obtained from Mintek. Initially, 21 small-scale mining entrepreneurs were randomly selected to participate in this study. However, it soon became apparent that ten of them were no longer in business. This meant that the sample was reduced to eleven mining entrepreneurs, located in four provinces: Free State, KZN, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. The findings of this research reveal that small-scale mining entrepreneurs are handicapped by a lack of financial and technical resources, and therefore cannot purchase capital items. It seems that there are good prospects for small-scale mining, particularly in open markets. However, they are unable to exploit these prospects because they lack the necessary
finance. Although there are support structures to assist them, they find it difficult to meet the criteria for loans or overdraft facilities from financial institutions. Although these mining entrepreneurs have benefited from the support they have received thus far, they need equipment and commitment to their businesses to remain successful. A series of recommendations are made to guide small-scale mining entrepreneurs already in business, prospective small-scale mining entrepreneurs and other stakeholder’s interested in transforming the industry.Zandisile Holdings (Pty) Ltd
National Research Foundation
Mauerberger Foundatio
Platelet function and activation in mixed ancestry subjects with hyperglycemia, from the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder which is characterised by insulin resistance, defective insulin secretion or both. The chronic state of hyperglycemia in diabetes is associated with microvascular complications and macrovascular complications which account for an estimated 80% of deaths as a result of cardiovascular complications. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an inflammatory disease and pro- inflammatory stimuli in the form of activated endothelial cells, render the vascular endothelial surface attractive for both platelets and leukocytes. Activated platelets bind to the exposed extracellular matrix (ECM) and also to each other in both physiological haemostasis and pathological thrombosis. They can also adhere to leukocytes. Platelet leukocyte interactions are divided into 3 stages; these include the initiation of the interaction, stabilization of the aggregates and amplification of leukocyte activation. This study attempts to contribute to the current knowledge of T2DM by investigating the percentage of monocytes and neutrophils forming aggregates with platelets in pre-diabetes and diabetes and comparing this to non- diabetes individuals as well as the up regulation of pro-thrombotic and activation antigens on the surface of monocytes and neutrophils (Tissue Factor and CD69). Levels of platelet activation and function will be determined by both plate monocyte aggregates (PMA) and platelet neutrophil aggregates (PNA). A total of 124 individuals were recruited from Bellville South, Cape Town, South Africa. This comprised of diabetes (DM) (n=15), pre-diabetes (pre-T2DM) (n=25) and controls (n=84). All individuals were screened for diabetes using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Platelet leukocyte measurements were performed using the Navios 8-colour flow cytometer. The median percentage of circulating platelets bound to monocytes (%PMAs) was significantly increased in the T2DM 49.04[36.78-62] and the Pre-T2DM 48.96[36.72-61.2],groups, compared to the control group 7.2[5.4-9], p<0.0001. The median %PNAs, which show interactions between neutrophils and platelets, were significantly increased in the T2DM group 13.56[10.17-16.95] compared to the control group 6.01[4.51-7.51] p<0.0001. Platelet monocyte aggregates (PMAs) were higher in both the pre-T2DM and T2DM groups when compared to the control group indicating increased interactions between platelets and monocytes. In addition to forming aggregates with leukocytes, the platelets were able to initiate activation and phenotypic change to the leukocytes by increasing the expression of CD69 and TF (CD142). This finding provides further evidence that there is a link between the inflammatory process and the prothrombotic activity evident in diabetes and pre-diabetes individuals. Furthermore, we describe elevated levels of circulating activated neutrophils which directly correlate with increased PNA formation in both the pre-T2DM and T2DM group.South African Medical Research Counci
The effects of internal communication on employee productivity and perception in the automotive services industry in South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Public Relations Management)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The aim of this study is to determine the effects of internal communication on employee productivity and perception in the automotive services (aftermarket) industry in South Africa. The aim is also to provide recommendations to improve the internal communication in the industry. According to Grunig (2011), organisations are realising that employees are their most important competitive advantage, and effective communication helps unleash the talents and energies of their employees. The literature review, which provides the theoretical perspectives upon which this study is based, comprises literature from a South African and international perspective. The literature outlined includes the Systems Approach, Excellence Theory, internal communication, productivity, perception, the automotive industry and the role of the communications practitioner. A qualitative research method is used to seek answers to questions and to understand an aspect of the working environment. This method is also used to understand the experiences and attitudes of the participants. To collect the required data, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight employees at various levels in an automotive services organisation. The interview questions were asked under three headings, namely: Internal Communication; Productivity and the Role of the Communications Practitioner. The responses of the participants and the research findings are then compared to the literature review. The major findings indicate that internal communication definitely impacts on the productivity and perception of the employees in the organisation. While certain aspects of internal communication in the automotive services organisation are effective, there is still room for improvement. This improvement should not be a once-off task. Management in the organisation is encouraged to conduct regular and on-going research to remain current and also to ensure that communication remains effective. Various types of research may be conducted at all levels in the organisation, internally and externally, which should consider the various aspects and elements of the organisation