Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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The management of employee performance in the department of rural development and land reform in the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Public Management In the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences At the Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyThe aim of this study was to analyse the management of employee performance with particular reference to the challenges faced by the National Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (NDRDLR) in the Western Cape Province. The Employee Performance Management System (EPMS) provides an integrated framework to manage employee performance through continuous improvement and development. Hence, the organisation identifies the availability of skills, shortcomings and appropriate measures to overcome these shortcomings by means of training, retraining and recruiting skills for the programme or project at hand.
A qualitative research methodology was applied using mainly unstructured interviews, focus groups, observation and literature review. A case study approach assisted the researcher to acquire valuable data which was collected from the sample of senior management, middle management, union representatives and human resource practitioners within the National Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) in the Western Cape. The study identified how the performance management systems (PMS) is applied at the DRDLR and also probed into strategies and tools for managing employee’s performance. A purposive sample was composed of managers, and staff from the DRDLR. The researcher obtained approval to conduct the study from the Deputy Director: Human Resource Management within the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, and from the Ethics Committee at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Findings from this study provided some significance of performance management at the work-place, and some understanding of what is EPMS by both the employer and the employees. This study revealed that there was less understanding of the EPMS, employees’ understanding of EPMS was biased towards pay benefits and rewards. The non-compliance of participants during performance management was a barrier towards the implementation of the EPMS at the DRDLR from the top to bottom in the departmental units where the sample was extracted. The study recommends a workable approach where all affected employees should be included in the planning of performance reviews, and should be trained continuously in order to address shortcomings in the implementation of EPMS. The findings and conclusions from this study contribute to the field of Public Management, while the study also allows other researchers to conduct further research in the field of performance management
Determining the efficacy of the home school partnership programme (HSPP)
No full textA full dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Masters in Education
Presented to the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences
2015This research project was conducted in 2010 and 2011 as a strategy to determine the
effectiveness of a home-school partnership programme (HSPP) in a Grade R class. This
study was an investigation into the empowerment of parents of Grade R learners in assisting
the learning of literacy at home. Parents of Grade R learners attended a seven-week
programme on ways of assisting their children. By attending the HSPP, parents and
teachers were encouraged to form a link between home and school.
The present study is grounded in Paulo Freire’s theoretical model of knowledge and
acquisition as well as Bronfennbrener’s bio-ecological system. Reference is made to Costa’s
sixteen Habits of Mind, which indicates how parents have grown in terms of their way of
thinking. A qualitative approach was used. Focus group interviews, semi-structured
questionnaires and footage from the local broadcasting studio were used to collect data. The
sample size consisted of five participants who were interviewed during 2010 and five
participants who were interviewed during 2011. These parents agreed to be part of the
research programme.
The key question of this study was answered: How can the HSPP assist parents with the
learning of literacy at home? The results confirmed the positive impact that the programme
had upon the parents. They wanted to assist their children at home but did not previously
have the skills to do that. By gaining these skills, they became confident to use everyday
objects to help their young children become literate.
In conclusion, from the current research, it can be seen that if the home, the school and the
community collaborate in a meaningful and sustained way, the future of our children’s
education, especially in poverty-stricken areas where unemployment is rife, can be improved
significantly in a constructive and long-term manner
The role of academic entrepreneurs and spin-off companies in the process of technology transfer and commercialisation in South Africa : a case of a university of technology
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.Universities have long been recognised as sources of knowledge creation, innovation and technological advancements. Interest in academic entrepreneurship and the establishment of university spin-off companies has grown in South Africa over the past 10 years. South Africa’s national research and development strategy argues that economic growth and wealth generation are founded on innovation. The area of university entrepreneurial behaviour and technology commercialisation has attracted much research attention in recent years especially as more innovative solutions are sought for the world’s ever growing socioeconomic challenges. In view of this, the South African government has made considerable and various efforts to promote the creation and commercialisation of research output in the university context.
Against the aforementioned, this study seeks to understand the position of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) as a university of technology in terms of commercialisation and technology creation since the 2005 merger. More specifically, the study seeks to understand the dynamics surrounding the creation and transfer of technology in South Africa, using CPUT as a case study
Evaluation and characterisation of an ultrasound based in-line rheometric system for industrial fluids
No full textThesis (MTech (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology.Pulsed Ultrasound Velocimetry combined with Pressure Difference (PUV+PD) measurement is a non-invasive in-line rheometric technique which is used to analyse the complex flow properties of industrial fluids for quality control purposes. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and Technical Research Institute of Sweden (SP) have developed and patented a new PUV+PD based system, called Flow-Viz™. Despite this advancement, the system and ultrasound sensor technology have not been fully tested and evaluated in a wide range of industrial fluids. Acoustic characterisation tests were carried out at SP, with the aim of understanding the ultrasound beam properties after propagating through industrial stainless steel (316L) pipe walls. For these tests, a high-precision robotic XYZ-scanner and needle hydrophone setup were used. Different ultrasound sensor configurations were mounted to a stainless steel pipe while using different coupling media between the transducer-to-wedge and sensor wedge-to-pipe boundaries. The ultrasound beam propagation after the wall interface was measured by navigating the needle hydrophone within a predefined 2-dimensional spatial grid. The most suitable coupling material was determined from the acoustic characterisation, and then used in the in-line rheological characterisation tests to evaluate the performance of the Flow-VizTM rheometric unit against conventional tube viscometry. The in-line rheological tests were conducted with bentonite, kaolin and Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) model fluids. The flow loop used consisted of three different pipe test sections; and two concentrations of each fluid were tested in order to ascertain the consistency of the measurements. The in-line rheological tests showed good agreement (±15%) between the two techniques and Flow-VizTM was able to provide important data at very low shear rates. Acoustic characterisation indicated that variations in the beam properties were highly dependent on the acoustic couplants used to mount the sensors to the stainless steel pipes. Furthermore, the in-line results showed the effectiveness of Flow-VizTM as an industrial rheometer. The non-invasive ultrasound sensor technology, was for the first time acoustically characterised through stainless steel. This information will now be used to further optimise the unique technology for advanced industrial applications, e.g. oil drilling fields, complex cement grout and food processing applications
Quality improvement using visual management techniques
No full textThesis (MTech (Quality))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.The fundamental activities of a business can be summarized as being a cycle of strategy development
and implementation, operations design and management and finally performance measurement,
which feeds back into strategy design. This research aims to determine whether visual management can
assist the quality motive by adding value to the above‐mentioned business activities for start‐up
businesses and strategic business units within the South African context. The main topics to be addressed are performance management and visual management (VM). Performance management entails investigating the concept of strategy, its formulation and eventual implementation; performance measurement; improvement initiatives and greater quality theory. Visual management will be introduced as an angle on corporate communication and the importance of sharing information indiscriminately throughout the organisation. Both empirical and non-‐empirical research methods are used to answer the question of the impact of VM on business activities. The first involves a theoretical synthesis from the literature, the second was based on interviews with professionals from the relevant industries, the third is content analysis of the above
Numerical optimisation of electron beam physical vapor deposition coatings for arbitrarily shaped surfaces
No full textThesis (MTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology.For the last few decades, methods to improve the engine efficiency and reduce the fuel consumption of jet engines have received increased attention. One of the solutions is to increase the operating temperature in order to increase the exhaust gas temperature, resulting in an increased engine power.
However, this approach can be degrading for some engine parts such as turbine blades, which are required to operate in a very hostile environment (at ≈ 90% of their melting point temperature).
Thus, an additional treatment must be carried out to protect these parts from corrosion, oxidation and erosion, as well as to maintain the substrate’s mechanical properties which can be modified by the high temperatures to which these parts are exposed.
Coating, as the most known protection method, has been used for the last few decades to protect aircraft engine parts. According to Wolfe and Co-workers [1], 75% of all engine components are now coated. The most promising studies show that the thermal barrier coating (TBC) is the best adapted coating system for these high temperature applications.
TBC is defined as a fine layer of material (generally ceramic or metallic material or both) directly deposited on the surface of the part In order to create a separation between the substrate and the environment to reduce the effect of the temperature aggression.
However, the application of TBCs on surfaces of components presents a challenge in terms of the consistency of the thickness of the layer. This is due to the nature of the processes used to apply these coatings. It has been found that variations in the coating thickness can affect the thermodynamic performance of turbine blades as well as lead to premature damage due to higher thermal gradients in certain sections of the blade. Thus, it is necessary to optimise the thickness distribution of the coating
A clinical audit of the utilisation of red blood cell products in elective total hip replacement surgery
No full textThesis (MTech (Biomedical Sciences))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.Previous international studies have documented a marked variation in transfusion practice for Total Hip Replacement (THR) surgery. This is despite widespread dissemination of clinical guidelines for the use of blood products. The cost and potential wastage of blood products as well as concerns regarding patient care and outcomes are important drivers of optimal blood management.
The aim of this study was to audit red cell product utilisation for THR surgeries at two tertiary referral hospitals
Female students’ knowledge, beliefs, attitude and practice of breast self-examination in a university in the Western Cape
No full textThesis (MTech (Nursing))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.The most common cancer in women worldwide is breast cancer. It is also the leading cancer affecting women in South Africa. When breast cancer is detected early, it improves the outcome of the disease and reduces mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, beliefs, attitude and practice of breast self-examination among female university students. The objectives were, to explore the levels of knowledge of female university students on breast cancer and breast self-examination; to ascertain the beliefs of female university students on breast cancer and breast self-examination; to examine the attitudes of female university students toward breast cancer and breast self-examination and to determine if female university students regularly practice breast self-examination. A Mixed method descriptive design was used for this study. The selected site for this study was a higher education institution in the Western Cape. The population included all female university students in the Western Cape. The sample was female university students studying in the selected higher education institution who reside on the institution’s campus. Convenience sampling was used to select the sample. Two methods were used to collect data; these were questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Questionnaires were analysed by the use of Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Frequency Distribution was used to analyse descriptive statistics. Interviews were transcribed and analysed by using coding and thematic analysis. Participants lacked knowledge on breast cancer risk factors, as majority of them only knew about family history being a risk factor. Majority of the participants had never been educated by their healthcare provider on breast cancer and its screening. Most of the participants had never examined their breast before. Most of the participants who did not examine their breast did not have any knowledge on how to do BSE. Education on breast cancer and cancer as a whole should be initiated in high schools and higher institutions of learning as part of their curriculum. Posters on breast cancer screening and breast self-examination should be put up at public places and campuses. Breast awareness campaigns must be done every month not only in October which is the breast cancer awareness month. Health care professionals should give information on breast cancer to women when they visit the hospital or health centr
Universal design for low-cost housing in South Africa : an exploratory study of emerging socio-technical issues
No full textThesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.Low-cost housing is always an important / a weighty topic for discussion in South Africa and the construction or occupation of such houses often makes media headlines. The media usually raises the negative aspects of such housing, for instance, the fact that these houses are sometimes poorly constructed, or that the administration systems for allocating such houses to their new owners are often faulty, or that physical access to them is limited, particularly for people with disabilities, and that social interactions among the inhabitants of these houses is often problematic. It therefore appears that the ‘design for all’ – or ‘Universal Design’ – approach has not been considered during the design phases of these developments. Although Universal Design is not a new concept, the South African National Building Regulations has a section specially for creating physical access, but it is not widely practiced or implemented in South Africa, let alone with the local housing sector. There is general lack of awareness, technical know-how for the implementation and a lack of enforceable penalties for non-compliance with this specific section of the Building Regulations (SANS 10400 Part S of 2011). This study aims to investigate some of the socio-technical issues that have arisen in the low-cost housing sector, by specifically focusing on informal settlements in Cape Town, South Africa. During the period of apartheid, pre-1994, population groups in South Africa were segregated into separate residential areas; the aftermath of this is still prevalent, as is the continued exclusion of marginalized groups within the low-cost housing sector.
Data was collected through interviews with various people within the professional sector including Architects, experts in Universal Design and people from organisations that specialise in the planning/design/construction of low-cost Housing in Cape Town, focusing on the lack of a more community orientated design approach that utilises the principles of Universal Design as well as Universal Access building audits. Such audits were conducted on houses and communities that were constructed prior to 2004, on houses and communities that were designed and constructed after the passing of the Breaking New Ground (BNG) policy (2010), as well as on proposed new housing designs that were being considered for the future construction. The audits looked at general circulation spaces, community involvement, sustainability and means of construction. On the basis of these highlighted elements, in conjunction with the tender requirements of low-cost housing, and the findings of the interviewsNational Research Foundatio
A near field communication framework for indoor navigation : design and deployment considerations
No full textThesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.Navigation systems are known to provide time and location information for easy and accurate navigation in a specified environment. While Global Positioning System (GPS) has recorded a considerable success for navigating outdoors, the absence of GPS indoors has made orientation in an indoor environment challenging. Furthermore, existing technologies and methods of indoor positioning and navigation, such as WLAN, Bluetooth and Infrared, have been complex, inaccurate, expensive and challenging to implement; thereby limiting the usability of these technologies in less developed countries. This limitation of navigation services makes it difficult and time consuming to locate a destination in indoor and closed spaces. Hence, recent works with Near Field Communication (NFC) has kindled interest in positioning and navigation.
While navigating, users in less developed nations face several challenges, such as infrastructure complexity, high-cost solution, inaccuracy and usability. However, this research focuses on providing interventions to alleviate usability challenges, in order to strengthen the overall accuracy and the navigation effectiveness in stringent environments through the experiential manipulation of technical attributes of the positioning and navigation system in indoor environments. Therefore, this study adopted the realist ontology and the positivist epistemological approach. It followed a quantitative and experimental method of empirical enquiry, and software engineering and synthesis research methods. The study entails three implementation processes, namely map generation, positioning framework and navigation service using a prototype mobile navigation application that uses the NFC technology. It used open-source software and hardware engineering tools, instruments and technologies, such as Ubuntu Linux, Android Software Development Kit, Arduino, NFC APIs and PandaBoard. The data was collected and the findings evaluated in three stages: pre-test, experiment and post-test