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Quality assurance of consulting engagements in engineering industries
No full textThesis (MTech (Quality))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology.The global consulting industry has become a significant contributor to economies worldwide due
to the growing requirement for specialised skills, but the industry encounters tense flaws and
pitfalls. These pitfalls are related to the increasing amount of consulting engagements that fall
short of their desired goal. The inability to fully achieve the goals agreed upon yields questions
regarding the quality of service provided within the industry.
It is believed that this inability to perform and to meet goals is due to gaps that occur within the
consulting process. This research aims to determine whether there is a lack of quality in the full
spectrum of the consulting process, which ultimately hampers the success of the consulting
engagement.
A non-empirical and qualitative research method was used to investigate the nature of the gaps
and the main reasons for these gaps within the consulting process. A framework was developed in
order to assist the researcher in understanding whether quality methods can successfully address
or narrow the gaps in the consulting process that inhibit the success of consulting engagements or
the ability to meet all requirements of consulting engagements. Validation was carried out through
interviews with experts in the consulting industry.
After a study of current literature it was clear that the fields of project management, change
management and knowledge management are imperative when running a consulting engagement.
Results of this study indicated that the framework is a viable quality methodology that can indeed
be applied to address gaps in the consulting process. This is acquired through an interaction of
fields such as systems thinking, audits, customer focus, corrective action and quality awareness.
The framework was designed to add value and attempt to assure that the goals of consulting
engagements can be fully achieved.
Suggested further research includes the implementation of the framework in small consulting
firms to investigate its practical usability and feasibility
Accumulation of lead and manganese in soil along the N1 highway in the City of Cape Town after the banning of leaded petrol in South Africa
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Technology: Environmental Health
Faculty of Applied Sciences
Cape Peninsula University of TechnologySoil contamination by metals is a serious environmental problem that has significant implications for human health. Roadside soils have been shown to have considerable contamination due to depositions of metals by vehicles. Metal pollution poses significant environmental concerns because most metals are not biodegradable and often have long half-lives, thus predicating far reaching effects on biological systems, including the soil.
Unleaded petrol has been available in South Africa since 1996. The conversion from leaded to unleaded petrol has been a slow process. Leaded petrol has been totally phased out since January 2006. The manganese-containing fuel additive methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) that was introduced to automobile fuel formulae as an octane boosting and “anti-knock” agent, to replace or reduce the lead content in petrol, was officially approved in some developed countries.
Despite the fact that metal contamination of soil has long been known, few studies have been carried out into its vertical distribution in the soil.
The objectives of this investigation were: firstly, to assess the accumulation of lead and manganese in soil along the N1 highway; secondly, to determine the vertical distribution of lead and manganese in soil along the N1 highway; and thirdly, to compare the concentrations of lead and manganese in soil along the N1 highway, before and after the banning of leaded petrol in South Africa.
Six soil samples were taken at each site approximately two meters from the road verges and at a depth of approximately 0-2cm of surface soil. The sampling period commenced on the 16th of February 2011 and ended on the 28th of December 2011. Once-off soil samples were also collected at sites 1, 5 and 6 at depths of 0-2cm, 30cm and 60cm, respectively. Samples were digested with 10 ml 55% nitric acid. Lead and manganese concentrations were determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer (ICP–MS).
The mean concentrations of lead found in the roadside soils of the N1 highway ranged between 7.32mg/kg and 2068.31mg/kg and these were of high concentrations when compared to studies done in other countries.
Results from the vertical distribution of lead investigation showed that lead concentrations ranged from 52.72mg/kg to 215.94mg/kg at surface level, from 15.80mg/kg to 164mg/kg at a depth of 30cm and from 14.06mg/kg to 216.07mg/kg at a depth of 60cm from the surface. It was also shown that there is a positive correlation between lead concentration and the amount of organic content (although not statistical), concluding that as the amount of organic content increases lead concentrations also increase.
The mean manganese concentrations found in the roadside soils of the N1 ranged between 12.17mg/kg and 221.47mg/kg. The levels of manganese in the soil were found to be relatively low when compared to other studies an indication of mild to low metal contamination of the sampled soils.
Results from the vertical distribution of manganese concentrations showed that concentrations in the soil ranged from 39.23 mg/kg to 63.32 mg/kg at surface level, from 14.4mg/kg to 310.86mg/kg for depths of up to 30cm, and from 4.42mg/kg to 343.96mg/kg for depths of up to 60cm.
No relationships of manganese levels in the soil were found at any of the sites when sites were compared prior to the banning of lead and after the banning of lead despite the increased traffic volumes and, thus, increased MMT usage over the years, indicating that manganese contribution from MMT is very low and does not significantly increase soil contamination along the N1 highway. However, further investigations are needed into the future to monitor manganese contamination that may possibly occur
Microbial pollutants in stagnant water in RR section, Khayelitsha, Western Cape, South Africa
No full textDissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Environmental Management in the Faculty of Applied Science at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyGreywater is domestic wastewater from daily kitchen, laundry, bath, shower, hand washing practices and does not include wastewater from the toilet. Greywater from informal settlement has been identified as important environmental pollution sources. Inadequate sanitation and poor drainage in informal settlements result in greywater being stagnant at the base of communal taps. This water has a potential to cause health problems to those who come in contact with it. Studies of greywater quality in informal settlements in South Africa tend to concentrate on physico-chemical analysis and microbial indicator organisms. In order to adequately manage greywater in informal settlements there is a need to understand the microbial pathogens present in such water. Therefore this study is aimed at determining the level of microbial contamination of stagnant greywater in the RR Section of Khayelitsha, Western Cape. Six sampling sites were identified and sampling of stagnant greywater was conducted twice a month (from January to May 2013) from the base of six communal taps, which served as the sampling sites.
The microbial enumeration techniques employed in this study were the Most Probable Number (MPN) techniques, the Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) technique and the
Flow Cytometric (FCM) technique. The API 20E and the RapID™ ONE systems were used to identify possible pathogenic Gram-negative microorganisms, while possible pathogenic Gram-positive microorganisms were identified with the BBL Crystal™ Gram Positive (GP) Identification (ID) system. The highest MPN counts were 1.6 x 108 microorganisms/100mℓ recorded at Site A (weeks 3 and 5) as well as at Site B (week 5). The corresponding highest faecal coliform count was 4.7 x 106 microorganisms/100mℓ obtained at Site B (week 5). The highest E. coli count observed was 1.8 x 106 microorganisms/100mℓ recorded at Site A (week 5) and Site F (week 5). In comparison, the highest HPC count was 2.9 x105 microorganisms/mℓ recorded at Site C in week 4. The results obtained by the MPN and HPC techniques were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the water quality standards by Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) (1996a; 1996b) and the SABS (2011). The highest total FCM and viable FCM counts were 3.4 x 107 microorganisms/mℓ and 3.1 x 107 microorganisms/mℓ, respectively recorded at Site A in week 5. The FCM technique displayed significantly (p < 0.05) higher results than both the MPN and HPC techniques, which highlighted its reliability in obtaining more accurate enumeration results.
The RapID™ ONE and the API 20E identification systems mostly identified Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, K. oxytoca, Acinetobacter baumannii/calcoaceticus and Enterobacter cloacae, while the organisms more commonly identified by the BBL
Crystal™ Gram Positive (GP) Identification (ID) system, were the Corynebacterium species, and Bacillus cereus. The presence of these organisms raises health concern to the community of RR Section, as some are known to cause waterborne diseases, while others are known to cause nosocomial infections
Spatial variability of macro-benthic invertebrate assemblages in the Kogelberg region, focusing on the Betty’s bay marine protected area
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Nature Conservation in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyThere is large variation in the patterns of biological diversity in the ocean. This variation is a result of the range in combinations of physical and biological interactions which exist in the marine environment. The South African marine environment supports a diversity of marine ecosystems in which species richness and endemism have been found to be high (33 % endemism). The high diversity of organisms promotes the maintenance of healthy and ecologically stable ecosystems. The diversity of life in the oceans however, is under threat as a result of numerous natural and anthropogenic threats such as over-fishing, over-extraction of marine resources, ocean acidification, to name a few.
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been implemented throughout the world to address the threats facing the marine environment. Marine Protected Areas are considered the most effective tool at protecting marine ecosystems and play a key role in marine Ecosystem Based Management (EBM). Marine Protected Areas also offer the added benefit of providing areas in which research can be conducted, more specifically in the area of conservation, MPAs have been declared for either fisheries management purposes, biodiversity conservation, or for management of conflict between competing users. The Betty’s Bay MPA is located within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve (KBR) on the south-west coast of South Africa. The MPA was established in 1990 as the H.F Verwoerd Marine Reserve (re-proclaimed as the Betty’s Bay MPA in 2000) to protect, among others, the endangered African penguin (Spheniscus demersus), abalone (Haliotis midae) and the west coast rock lobster (Jasus lalandii). To date, few studies have been conducted within the area and as a result, knowledge of the sessile macro-benthic flora and invertebrate fauna of the Betty’s Bay MPA is sparse. The paucity of information of the macro-benthos creates a barrier for informed management decisions of the MPA, as well as a proposal to expand the MPA boundary.
To aid in an assessment of and provide information on the macro-benthic flora and invertebrate fauna assemblage patterns and diversity within the area, a spatial photo-quadratic survey was conducted in November 2012 and January 2013. A photo-quadrat of 0.33 m2 was used to survey the MPA and outside its boundary at two depth categories (10 m – 15 m and 20 m – 25 m). Representative samples of specimens were randomly collected within the sampling stations to create a database of the species occurring within the area and in so doing, aid in species identification and verification during photo-quadrat analysis. A total of 881 viable (clear with focal frame correctly positioned) photographs from 10 sampling stations were analysed using a grid overlay of 10 x 10 (100) points per photograph. A 10 x 10 grid was used to allow for percentage cover and individual (for non-colonial species) or colony (for colonial species) abundance estimates of faunal organisms, to be calculated simultaneously. Organisms occurring under each point of the grid were identified and the individual or colony abundance of faunal species and percentage cover per species for each sample was recorded. Species accumulation curves and a rarefaction model, the Morgan-Mercer-Flodin (MMF) Model, were used to assess the sampling effort and provide the number of faunal species estimated to be within the study area, respectively. Uni- and multivariate statistical procedures were used to analyse percentage cover estimates from photo-quadrats and compare the floral, sessile and semi-motile macro-benthic community structure along a spatial and bathymetric gradient within the study area.
The univariate indices selected for analyses and interpretation of percentage cover data included species richness (S), percentage cover (%), Pielou’s evenness index (J’) and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'). Data met the assumptions for parametric tests and multi-effects Analysis of Variances (ANOVAs) were conducted to assess whether depth or location had a greater effect on variances of species diversity, richness and percentage cover between samples. Cluster and ordination analyses were used for multivariate comparisons.
Results showed that species accumulation curves for the study area did not reach an asymptote and a higher estimated than observed faunal species richness was calculated for the area, suggesting that sampling effort was not sufficient. Despite this, species accumulation curves indicated that 140 to 168 photographs per station (curves began levelling off at this amount) were enough to obtain an adequate estimate of species richness within the study area. This suggests that too few photographs were collected for most stations. However despite this, 76 % of the faunal species estimated to occur within the study area were recorded, indicating that the area was adequately sampled.
The mean species richness measured S = 15.49 ± 4.55 SD, n = 881 samples and the mean species diversity was average (H' = 2.21 ± 0.48 SD, n = 881 samples) within the study area. The mean percentage cover of benthic organisms in the area was 78.03 % (± 11.80 %, n = 881 samples). In addition, the area appears to be fairly even with a mean evenness of 0.88 (± 0.07 SD, n = 881 samples), indicating that the percentage coverage of individuals was well distributed amongst the species within the area.
The multi-effects ANOVAs revealed that location had a greater effect on the variances of samples for species diversity and species richness than depth. Upon further investigation it was found that the species richness and diversity of samples inside the MPA were significantly higher (p 0.05), however the mean percentage cover of most taxa was higher outside the MPA. This difference between diversity inside and outside the MPA could be as a result of a number of factors. Habitat heterogeneity, found to be high in previous studies conducted in the Betty’s Bay area, may be an example of one of such factor. Findings suggest that the MPA is potentially fulfilling its management objective of biodiversity conservation for the species included in this particular study.
Depth was the primary factor affecting percentage cover within the study area, with deep samples having significantly lower (p < 0.01) percentage cover estimates than shallower samples. The multivariate analysis as well as an Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) using depth as a factor, also indicated differences in communities. Algae dominated (i.e. had the greatest percentage cover) areas in the shallower-reaches. The percentage cover of Porifera, Bryozoa and other sessile filter- and suspension-feeders increased with increasing depth, thus, revealing a community shift similar to other subtidal assemblages on hard substrata. It was concluded that macro-benthic assemblages within the Betty’s Bay area are mainly influenced by depth.
Colonial taxa such as Cnidaria and Algae were dominant in the study area. Dominant species in the area included the cnidarian species Eudendrium spp 1 and algal species Leptophytum foveatum, Jania adhaerens, Rhodophyllis reptans and Rhodymenia obtusa. The dominance of Algae in relation to other taxonomic groups in the area is important to monitor as it may influence the settlement of benthic invertebrate macro-fauna and increase the abundance and distribution of epifauna and infauna, for example, Eudendrium spp 1. It is also important to prioritize the effective monitoring and management of the increased abundance of the carnivorous west coast rock lobster, Jasus lalandii which reduces herbivore abundance and causes a subsequent increase in Algae.
Further investigations of benthic invertebrates within the study area, which take environmental variables and habitat heterogeneity into account, need to be conducted in order to establish whether the differences in diversity observed during this study can be linked to protection. Should the significant differences be a result of protection within the MPA, managers should consider expanding the MPA or, failing that, converting the MPA to a Category 1 or “no-take” MPA as population fluctuations in exploited organisms, may affect populations of other unexploited species. The expansion of the MPA or conversion to a Category 1 MPA may ensure that the marine benthic biodiversity within the area is well-conserved. Moreover, a monitoring programme examining both biotic and abiotic factors should be implemented within the area. Within the monitoring programme, managers should attempt to have organisms identified to genus level at the very least. A monitoring programme of this nature would aid managers to be more informed and proactive and implement an ecosystems-based approach to management
Investigating the effect of acid stress on selected mesophilic bioleaching microorganisms
No full textThesis submitted in accomplishment of the requirements of the
Magister Technologiae in Engineering degree,
Department of Chemical Engineering,
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
2015Heap bioleaching is a microbially-assisted hydrometallurgical metal extraction process in which metals are solubilised from low grade ore by ferric iron and acid leach agents. Particularly for low grade ores, heap bioleaching provides several advantages over conventional technologies, it is simpler and safer to operate with low capital and operation cost and acceptable recoveries. Key challenges with heap bioleaching systems include the need to minimise leach durations and optimise both rate and extent of metal recovery.
There is limited understanding of the sub-processes involved in microbially assisted bioheap leaching (nutrient transport, microorganisms attachment to mineral, effects of metal concentration on microorganisms viability, …). Mineral ore agglomeration is a pre-treatment process typically carried out in the setup of the bioheap operation to dissolve metal oxide residue, neutralise acid consuming gangue, prepare agglomerates of the mixed particle size fraction to optimise heap permeability, prepare the ore surface for microbial attachment and optimise moisture content and mineral exposure to leaching reactions. Most agglomeration processes are carried out with an acidic solution. This may create an acid stress condition for the bioleaching microorganisms when inoculated into the operation. This is particularly relevant when the inoculum is introduced during the agglomeration process and may remain under the highly acidic conditions for a protracted time. However, quantitative data on the recommended acid concentration during agglomeration processes is very limited and is dependent on the ore treated. Similarly little is reported on the response of the acidophilic bioleaching microorganisms to acid stress.
This research project contributes to the bioleaching knowledge base by providing an understanding of the effect that acid stress has on the mesophilic species typically implicated in mineral sulphide bioleaching as a function of acid concentration (and resulting acidity) and duration of exposure. The study addresses the following specific key factors:
The effect of acid stress due to acid concentration and exposure time on performance on mesophile microorganisms in terms of the microbial and ferrous iron oxidation.
The interaction of acidity and exposure time with respect to microbial stress on the mesophilic bioleaching system performance.
The nature of the stress response observed i.e. only the lag period or also the rate of ferrous iron and sulphur oxidation on the initiation of the leaching process.
The observed effects on microbial activity mediated through the number of active cells or through the activity of these cells.
Quick fit stirred tank reactors (STR) containing 3% pyrite concentrate and 1 litre Norris media (Norris, 1983), aerated with 2 L.min-1 compressed air and stirred at 550 rpm were inoculated with a mixed mesophilic culture mainly Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidiplasma cupricumulans, Ferroplasma acidiphilum, and predominantly Leptospirillum ferriphilum following its pre-stress at 0.34M, 0.51M and 0.68M acid (H2SO4), whilst operating as a batch system. A Control, inoculated with an un-stressed culture, was run concurrently. The cultures were subjected to these acid stresses for a period of one hour, three hours and 24 hour and assessed for microbial growth and activity, leaching performance and microbial speciation.
Findings showed an increasing period necessary for microbial recovery with increased acid stress and increased time exposure. A similar leaching performance to the Control were recorded soon after the cultures recovered from the stress when the acid concentrations used were low, but the highest acid concentration (0.68M) combined with the longer exposure time (24 h) compromised the overall leaching performance and the required time of recovery was extended to as high as 200 h. Equally the microbial growth rates were similar to that of the Control culture following the recovery period. The yield in terms of microbial cells produced per kg iron oxidised decreased with increased acid stress but not necessarily with increased exposure time. The extent of iron solubilisation, at the time the Control achieved its highest solubilisation, decreased with both increases in acid stress concentrations and in exposure time. Microbial speciation indicated that four of the initial six species in the mixed culture were sensitive to acid stress. Only three species survived the stress in the early stages of the experiment and one specie disappeared during the course of the leaching experiment leaving just two species surviving. Of the two surviving species, Fe. acidiphilum and L. ferriphilum, the latter dominated to a final ratio of 99% to 1%.
Some recommendations have been made for future studies, namely:
Acid stress effects should be tested on simulated heap leaching experiments using agglomerated ore.
Acid concentration and exposure time should be increased to assess the extent of microbial recovery and acid tolerance levels.
Similar experiment should be conducted using moderate thermophile and thermophile cultures.
A conglomerate of a more defined mixed culture should be used to assess the acid resistant species.
Physico-chemical conditions resulting from the acid agglomeration, such as shear stress, increase temperature, radiation should be considered to be assessed further
Hotel openings in Cape Town between 2008 and 2010: Critical success factors and challenges
No full textDissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology: Business Administration in the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyThis study investigated the critical success factors to be considered when opening a hotel, including those in Cape Town between 2008 and 2010, and also considered the major challenges experienced during the initial period of a hotel’s life cycle. Further, the study assessed whether there were significant differences between the success factors and challenges experienced in corporately owned- versus privately owned hotels, or large versus small accommodation establishments. The findings revealed no significant differences between corporately owned hotels versus privately owned hotels or large versus small hotels.
The research approach was inductive and the purpose exploratory, thus it was a qualitative study. Data were obtained by interviewing hotel managers of 4- and 5 star hotels that opened between 2008 and 2010 in Cape Town, prior to the FIFA Soccer World Cup. The interview results were compared and analysed, and the results discussed relative to the research topic.
The study identified the critical success factors for opening hotels and the secondary success factors or advantages that may be encountered and applied when opening hotels. The research should be of interest to practitioners and operators who could apply the insights gained from these interviews in their pre-opening strategies, and to academics in the fields of hotel management, general management, strategic planning, project management and new business development
An analysis of the perception of the effectiveness of a Change Management Process mid merger at a University of Technology
No full textDissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Business Administration in the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyThe main aim of this study was to analyse perceptions of the effectiveness of a change
management process and how it impacted on the psychological contract of employees of the
institution in question for this research study. In addition, the aim was to identify improvement
opportunities for future change management processes. The institution that this study
focused on is a university of technology in South Africa.
The study utilised a qualitative approach and conducted interviews for data collection and
analysis. Data was processed in response to the problem statement and the results were
analysed using the thematic content analysis method.
The research study identified various areas of improvement to recommend to management
for any future change management initiatives. The recommendations made by the
researcher are relevant, topical and can add value to the institution in question.
The findings of this study have revealed that employees perceive the institution as having
little or no regard for how employees feel and that the human aspect during the change
process was never considered. The study further revealed that employees perceive that
there was a lack of communication and transparency throughout the process which resulted
in an enormous amount of speculation and spreading of rumours. Lastly, the study also
revealed that employees’ psychological contract was negatively affected by the process of
restructuring and it caused a decline in their organisational commitment, trust and morale.
The researcher is of the view that it would be beneficial to conduct a comparative study
across all the institutions that have undergone a merger process to establish how their staff
experienced the mergers. In conclusion, the researcher recommends that a study can also
be conducted on how to plan an institutional merger through a proper project management
methodology process
Measuring the service quality of a financing department at a University of Technology
No full textThesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology:
Quality in the Faculty of Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyThis study aims to measure the service quality with student loans that are provided by the Finance Department of a University of Technology (UoT). In the current academic environment, it is critical for a Finance Department to provide high quality of services to enable students fulfilling their academic performance. However, if the service quality of Finance Department is not up to standard, then students (customers) more likely to struggle in receiving all supporting financial aids for their studies. This will further impact on their whole academic life negatively. Based on the relevant literature, SERVQUAL model is one of the classical tools that were commonly used to measure the quality of services. Thus, this study applied SERVQUAL model to measure the service quality that provided by the Finance Department at the UoT. A combination of both qualitative and quantitative research approach was conducted in this study. Data were collected through interviews with staff members (n1=15) and a structured questionnaires for students (n2=43). All the key variables from the questionnaire and interview questions were derived from relevant literature. The reliability of dataset was tested through Cronbach’s Alpha value. Data were analysed through SPSS, MoonStats and Excel worksheet. The personal information of all the participants was protected.
The findings revealed that there is a gap between students expectation and staff members perception towards the service quality that provided by the Finance Department. Students were generally satisfied with the service quality although staff members perceived that they have made efforts in providing good quality services to them. However, there are areas needs improvements in the service process such as management commitment, employee involvement, regular training programmes for skill development, and etc. This study further recommends that the financing office needs to use SERVQUAL model as an effective tool to track service delivery patterns and its nature of administration along tangibles, unwavering quality, responsiveness, confirmation and compassion measurements within the department. Moreover, SERVQUAL model can be used an useful approach to other service sector for quality improvements within the university
Ergonomic considerations for the design of women’s functional protective wear for the local construction industry
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Design in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyThis study highlights the preliminary findings of an investigation into ergonomic
considerations in the design of women’s protective clothing. The study investigates the
validity of an assumption that there is a dearth in the product offerings of women’s protective wear that are ergonomically designed with a good fit, and offer acceptable levels of comfort for women performing outdoors in the construction industry. The research employs a qualitative research method – including interviews with key actors such as women working in the construction industry, and manufacturers. Pertinent psychological and physiological factors relating to the current protective wear are also interrogated herein. For example, the unique morphological features associated with steatopygia and gynaeoid body types are common in the sub-region, and yet not fully accommodated in the design of contextresponsive work wear. The prevailing attitudes among selected manufacturers and suppliers to motivate them to offer superior products for women in the construction industry are explored. A higher adoption rate of the redesigned women’s protective wear could correlate to reductions in downtime associated with general occupational health and safety issues; as well as an impact of low levels of comfort, protection and garment fit. Similarly, the redesigned garments could inform the development of improved protective wear for women, and ultimately facilitate higher productivity in the work environment. Subsequently, a boosted self-confidence and higher levels of motivation occasioned by a positive body image of women workers would validate the efficacy of the intended ergonomic design intervention. Lastly, the thesis discusses sociotechnical strategies for generating high fidelity data for applications in new product development for women’s protective wear. Furthermore, the findings and recommendations are discussed herein; this is made possible by the data collected
Gender imbalance: a focus on senior management positions in the it sector in South Africa
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology (Discipline: Information Technology) in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyWomen in South Africa are under-represented in senior management positions in the Information technology (IT) sector — even with available incentives and directives to rectify the situation. The purpose of this research is to explore and understand the reasons for the imbalance in representation of women in senior management positions in the IT sector in South Africa. Seventeen women in middle to senior management positions from two of South Africa’s nine provinces — Western Cape and Gauteng — were interviewed for this study. The women were asked to relate their personal experiences and perceptions around organizational culture in IT environments and factors influencing their career advancements. A qualitative content analysis method was used to analyse the responses from the interviews. The findings of this study confirm the imbalanced representation of women in senior management positions. It was found that organizations are open and welcoming and provide opportunities to women, but women in the IT sector do not necessarily desire to advance to senior management positions. Factors such as the legacy in the IT industry where men held senior positions, career interruptions due to child bearing, and the absence of female mentor’s impact on the career advancement of women. The informal recruitment process for senior manager positions and the lack of emphasis on the need for women in IT when advertising senior management positions worsen the situation. Women lack self-confidence and are of the opinion that their skills set must be an exact match to the job requirements before applying for senior positions. Work life balance is not supported in the IT environment and no development programs aimed specifically at women are available. The paucity of women taking up technical careers — such as IT — limits the number of women available to develop and appoint in senior management positions. Guidelines for women to advance to senior positions and for companies to recruit and hire women are proposed. These guidelines will assist to correct the imbalance representation of women in senior management positions and promote IT as a career for women. A suggestion for future studies is to compare career advancement of women working in the software development environments, compared to women in the infrastructure and technical environments of IT, as well as those who have left the IT industry