Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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Public relations models and corporate social responsibility in the mining sector in Richards Bay, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Public Relations Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The history of public relations include facets of “publicity” and “press agentry,” and has matured beyond these narrow, tactical functions, rising to accept positioning as strategic communications which can drive corporate social responsibility decision-making that resonate credibly with community stakeholder. The study explored public relations models of communication within stakeholder engagement to establish corporate social responsibility projects in the mining sector in Richards Bay, South Africa. The stakeholder engagement process depends greatly on principles outlined in the King Reports, which includes a stakeholder ‘inclusive approach’ and ethical guidelines for ‘governing stakeholder relationships’ and emphasises ‘sustainable development’. Furthermore, a socially responsibility business integrates the economic, legal, ethical and discretionary obligation of business to society and further recognizes its place in the broader community. Although qualitative research design was chosen for this study, the research used purposive sampling to select individuals and groups for data collection on the stakeholder communication experience. Six Individual in-depth interviews and one focus group interview were conducted with the organisation’s Communities and Corporate Relations team and the community leaders. The research reports that the corporate social responsibility stakeholder engagement process has five stages (consultation, engagement, agreement, decision making and feedback) and there is an evaluation process on community development projects set by the organisation. Consequently, the organisation and the communities both benefit from the corporate social responsibility projects. Additionally, the analysis shows that the model used for stakeholder engagement within corporate social responsibility is the mixed-motive model of public relations. Hence, the relationship between the organisation and its host communities is established and maintained, as well as the social licence to operate and reputation is enhanced. Therefore the research concludes that a public relations’ mixed-motive model of communication is best suited for stakeholder engagement in order to establish corporate social responsibility projects in the host communities that can enhance favourable organisation-community relationships. The model intends to achieve equilibrium between the organisation and the community stakeholder. However, further research is recommended into the development of a new African public relations model of communication that encompasses the concept of ‘Ubuntu’ where the community leader is the final decision maker in consultation with the traditional council
Green synthesis of cadmium telluride type II multi shell quantum dots for biolabelling
No full textThesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The synthesis of water soluble CdTe, CdTe/CdSe and CdTe/CdSe/ZnSe
nanoparticles (NPs) and their optical, cytotoxicity as well as imaging properties are
presented. The synthesis was carried out under ambient conditions in the absence of
an inert environment and involved the use of potassium tellurite (K2TeO3) and sodium
selenosulphate (Na2SeSO4) as a stable tellurium and selenium precursor
respectively, while mercaptopropanoic acid (MPA) was used as capping agents. In
this method, the CdTe NPs were prepared by the addition of tellurium source solution
to MPA-cadmium complex solution at different pH while keeping other parameters
constant. The formation of the shell (CdSe) and multi shell (CdSe/ZnSe) were
achieved by adding desired precursors to the growing CdTe core NPs at one hour
interval. The temporal evolution of the optical properties and stability of the growing
nanocrystals was monitored in detail by varying the refluxing time, pH and storing the
NPs under ambient condition for several days. The as-prepared NPs were
characterised using UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy,
transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron
microscopy (HRTEM). The formation of the shells was indicated by an immediate
change in the colour of the reaction solutions after the addition of the desired
precursor and the shift in the absorption wavelength towards red-region. The optical
analyses showed an enhancement in the fluorescent intensity after the addition of the
shell solution accompanied by red-shifting of the absorption and emission maximum.
The stability study revealed an increase in the emission intensity as the ageing days
increased. The stability study of the NPs in air at room temperature show highly
improved stability of the core-shell NPs than the core. The TEM analysis showed that the materials are small, monodispersed, spherical and highly crystalline. The
cytotoxicity of the NPs was investigated on LM 8 and KM-Luc/ GFP cell line using an
MTT protocol at different concentrations. The cell viability show significant
improvement after the shell formation with CdTe/CdSe/ZnSe core multi shell NPs
having the highest cell viability at higher concentration (60 μg/mL). Furthermore a
decrease in cytotoxicity is revealed with increase in reaction time, thus NPs prepared
at longer (7 h) reaction time showed lower cytotoxicity compared with those prepared
at shorter (0.5 h) reaction time. The confocal laser microscope image of the cells
after the addition of the as-synthesised NPs confirmed the transfection of the NPs by
KM-Luc/GFP cell line, indicating that the NPs have been endocytosis. This study
demonstrates the great potential of the as-synthesised core-multi shell nanoparticles
for biological and any applications that require efficiency, high fluorescence intensity
and stability
A customer satisfactions study of admission process at a South African university
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.In South Africa there is a fierce competition among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to attract as many students as possible. This makes most institutions to strive to meet and exceed students (customer) satisfaction. Most institutions strive to meet and exceed customers’ (students) expectations similar to business organisations. It however remains to be investigated if they do succeed in this goal. The purpose of this study was to explore students’ and staff members’ perceptions in regards to customer satisfaction and the level of efficiencies during the registration process at the Business and Management Sciences Faculty at CPUT. This study measures if the registration processes is aligned with students’ needs
A prototype desalination system using solar energy and heat pipe technology
No full textThesis (DTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The water desalination process needs large quantities of energy, either directly from fossil fuel or electricity from the national grid. However, these sources of energy significantly contribute to problems such as global warming in addition to creating a drain on the economy, due to their high cost.
This dissertation is a description of the research undertaken with the aim of producing a water desalination prototype; a novel approach that was designed using state-of-the-art solar water heating equipment, incorporating the technologies of evacuated tubes and heat pipes.
During the execution of the project, various modifications to the original commercially-available solar water heating system were attempted, each aimed at increasing the production of pure water. Finally, the system proved capable of producing a reasonable amount of pure water after twelve lengthy indoor experiments conducted in a laboratory in the department of Mechanical Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville Campus, Cape Town, South Africa. Each experiment lasted five days on the basis of seven hours of exposure to an average amount of simulated solar radiation, followed by seventeen hours daily of inactivity and partial cooling down of the system
An empirical investigation into the information management systems at a South African financial institution
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The study has been triggered by the increase in information breaches in organisations. Organisations may have policies and procedures, strategies and systems in place in order to mitigate the risk of information breaches; however, data breaches are still on the rise. Governments across the world have or are putting in place laws around data protection which organisations have to align their process, strategies and systems to. The continuous and rapid emergence of new technology is making it even easier for information breaches to occur. In particular, the focus of this study is aimed at the information management systems in a selected financial institution in South Africa. Based on the objectives, this study: explored the shortfalls of information security on a South African financial institution; investigated whether data remains separate while privacy is ensured; investigated responsiveness of business processes on information management; investigated the capability of systems on information management; investigated the strategies formulated for information management and finally, investigated projects and programmes aimed at addressing information management. Quantitative, as well as qualitative analysis, was employed whereby questionnaires were sent to employees who were employed at junior management positions. Semi- structured in-depth interviews were self-administered whereby the researcher interviewed senior management at the organisation. These senior managers from different value chains are responsible for implementing information management policies and strategy
Die aard van die genderkonstruksie van vroulike hoofkarakters in resente Afrikaanse jeugliteratuur
No full textThesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Gender roles for both men and women have changed considerebly during the past two decades. These changes were caused by the New Constitution of South Africa. Women are not limited anymore to certain careers or gender roles. They can live life to their full potential as individuals. The youth are still in a variable state and are influenced by what they read. Youth literature plays a huge role in the construction of gender identity. The way gender is portrayed in youth literature contributes to the view children develop of their own gender. Gender stereotyping, sexism and sexist language in texts could be interpreted as correct and acceptable if teachers are not aware of it and do not point these out. This study was conducted to determine if Afrikaans youth literature changed in accordance to society’s views of gender roles and how youth literature plays a role in the construction of gender. For this study award-winning youth books with a female main character were chosen and were subjected to Critical Discourse Analysis. Critical Discourse Analysis exposes hidden power structures and looks critically at the language used to construct female charaters as well as who the focalizer is and how the focalizer describes the female characters.
Research findings showed that there are positive changes in Afrikaans youth literature. Writers are creating stronger female characters for the youth. Research findings also show that certain stereotypes are too deeply rooted and will take more time to change. That is why it is important for the teacher in the classroom to be aware of the hidden power structures and stereotypes in youth literature and to point it out in order to teach in a more gender-sensitive way
Froth flotation of an Nkomati mineral ore using mixtures of thiol collectors
No full textThesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.Nickel, a valuable base metal, is the predominant product from the Nkomati mine in South Africa. High-grade nickel mineral ores (2%) from the Massive Sulphide Body have been depleted leaving those of low grade (0.3%). The beneficiation of this ore presents a challenge to the minerals processing industry. In response, batch froth flotation tests were used to explore the effects of mixtures of potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) and IPETC (Isopropyl ethyl thionocarbamate) on the grades and recoveries of nickel. In the mixtures, the xanthate accounted for 95.5, 90, 85 and 80 mole% respectively. Generally an increase in the nickel grade and recovery was observed with the mixtures relative to PAX. IPETC gave a significant increase in the cumulative water recovery with a significant decrease in cumulative nickel grade relative to PAX.
PAX gave the highest cumulative nickel grade for the singular collector tests (1.9%), while obtaining the lowest cumulative recovery (77%). Out of the collector mixtures, mixtures 85% PAX: 15% IPETC and 90% PAX: 10% IPETC produced the joint highest cumulative grades (1.8%). These mixtures both gave recoveries of 82%. Collector mixture 95.5% PAX: 4.5% IPETC gave the second highest grade (1.7%) and the highest nickel recovery (85%). Although there were differences in the cumulative nickel grades and recoveries there were statistically no significant improvements observed with the use of the mixtures of PAX and IPETC in comparison to the industry mixture (95.5% SIBX: 4.5% IPETC).
Tests were performed using the three best performing collector mixtures at molar dosages of 1.3, 0.65 and 0.325mmol/t. The highest cumulative nickel grades were obtained at the lowest collector dosages (at a molar dosage of 0.325mmol/t of 95.5% SIBX: 4.5% IPETC) with collector mixture 95.5% PAX: 4.5% IPETC being the most selective with a nickel grade of 2%. It was also observed that an increase in collector dosage, generally increased the cumulative nickel recovery with collector mixture 95.5% PAX: 4.5% IPETC at a molar dosage of 1.3mmol/t gave the highest cumulative recovery out of the tested mixtures (85%).
The study also indicated that an increase in selectivity (i.e. cumulative grade) was at the expense of cumulative recovery. With a decrease in dosage, there was no significant improvement in the cumulative nickel grade and recovery for the tested mixtures compared to the industry mixture. There was however a significant decrease in the water recoveries achieved with PAX and collector mixtures 95.5% PAX: 4.5% IPETC at a molar dosage of 1.3mmolg/t of as well as mixture 90% PAX: 10% IPETC at a molar dosage of 0.65mmol/t
Factors affecting the agility and implementation of business process management in a selected FET college in the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.The global business environment has for a number of years been changing progressively faster and as a result, organisations are concentrating on becoming more agile to survive the contemporary business environment. The educational institutions are un-spared from the fast, progressive change. This change is making it difficult for educational institutions to cope with the competitive environment, thereby affecting business agility and the implementation of Business Process Management (BPM).
This study seeks to explore what factors are affecting the agility and implementation of Business Process Management at a Further Education and Training (FET) college. The researcher of this dissertation’s view of the world or ontology is that of subjectivism. The research design utilises an interpretivist approach with a qualitative paradigm orientation. Additionally, the study adopts an inductive approach or argument which upholds that true statements, one after the other, can lead to a probable accurate conclusion or theory. This research uses a case study where data is gathered from key management staff and IT experts at the FET College (FETC), using semi-structured questionnaires by means of interviews. An overview of the findings indicates a lack of resources, lack of conduciveness to the teaching and learning environment, lack of collaboration, outdated curriculum, and resistance to change as factors impeding the FETC’s ability to respond to the competitive environment and implementation of Business Process Management. The lack of capabilities, incorrect risk management, culture of change as well as non-alignment of business processes (BPs) with the vision of the FETC, are factors preventing the College from being more agile and creating value for its clients. Furthermore, there is a high misuse of the registration and bursary processes by students. To conclude, the FETC needs to find alternative means besides the main source—government—to source resources. The FETC needs to be more agile and flexible in order to retain clients and remain sustainable in the industry. Furthermore, the FETC needs to improve on its business processes (BPs) and physical security. It is recommended that the FETC manages the correct risks in order to change and remain competitive in the industry. The FET environment necessitates interconnected registration and bursary processes to optimise the use of resources. The registration processes need to be re-engineered in order to facilitate early registration. Security needs to be improved and effective strategic management put in place
Cognitive preparation of NCS (grades 10-12) accounting learners for studies at a University of Technology
No full textThesis (MEd (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.This study focuses on the cognitive preparation of National Curriculum Statement (NCS) (Grades 10 – 12) Accounting learners for studies at a University of Technology (UoT). The purpose was to determine to what extent NCS cognitively prepares Accounting learners for studies at a UoT, and whether there is a difference in the extent to which NCS (pre-2014) and CAPS (2014) cognitively prepare learners for the first-year National Higher Certificate in Accounting and Financial Information Systems at a selected University of Technology (UoT).
This study is contextually situated within the curriculum theories developed by Basil Bernstein‘s ‘code theory’ in the sociology of education. The theoretical framework for this thesis draws on the work of David Conley’s redefining college readiness, in which he argues that Higher Education (HE) readiness is a multi-faceted concept comprising numerous variables. Cognitive preparation for HE Accounting studies is reviewed in terms of the educational objectives of the cognitive domain of Benjamin Bloom.
A mixed method approach for the research design was employed. The quantitative approach entailed completion and analysis of questionnaires by first-year Accounting students at a selected UoT to ascertain learners’ levels of Accounting competence as envisioned by the NCS (Grades 10 – 12). Marks for the Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination in Accounting were obtained so that these examination marks could be compared with students’ levels of Accounting competence and marks at the end of the first term (March). The qualitative approach entailed document analyses of the Accounting FET (Grades 10 – 12) curriculum, the curriculum of the National Higher Certificate, the NSC Accounting examination of 2014, and the National Higher Certificate in Accounting March 2015 assessment, as well as interviews with the Accounting 1 lecturers at a selected UoT.
Data revealed that the NCS (Grades 10 – 12) Accounting curriculum (formal or intended curriculum) adequately prepares learners cognitively for studies at a UoT. There is little evidence that CAPS prepares learners better for tertiary studies than students not trained according to CAPS. There is a statistically significant relationship between the mark obtained in the NSC, the mark in the questionnaire and the formal assessment in March. There are, however, various other factors that contribute to academic success or failure and drop-out in HE. Findings from this study suggest that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and universities could work more closely together in various subject groups to ensure these challenges are met and that universities provide feedback to the DBE on whether the changes implemented are making a difference to the quality of first-year students who enter university
Possibilities for democratic citizenship in the natural science curriculum and assessment policy statement
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: education in the Faculty of Education at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyThe purpose of this study is to analyse the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement CAPS) document within the subject Natural Sciences (NS) (senior phase including Grades 7 to 9) and to explore whether the implementation of this document can possibly engender democratic citizenship within the classroom. An analysis of the sub-headings used within the NS CAPS document will be undertaken. These are the process, skills and specific aims. A brief study of the education policies, namely the Outcomes Based Education (OBE), the Revised National Curriculum Statement
(RNCS) for Grades R-9 and the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) Grades 10-12 will be undertaken. The purpose of this analysis is to present an argument behind the implementation of the CAPS document as part of the National Curriculum Statement.
As the research is document-based a qualitative research methodology will be implemented in which document analysis will serve as the research methodology. This method will implement critical discourse analysis as the lens used to analyse the data gathered. The NS policy document will be reviewed to explore whether the aims, skills and processes have the capacity to provide learners with opportunities to think critically and to engender democratic citizenship