Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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An analysis of jewellery advertising through the lens of feminist theory
Full text linkThesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019The purpose of the study is to examine to what extent mainstream commercial jewellery advertisements construct the perception of gender within their representations. The study focuses specifically on the representation of women and femininity within jewellery advertisements. The way in which these advertisements construct ‘what it is to be a woman’ is studied through the lens of feminist social constructionist theory. In particular, the study focuses on jewellery advertisements of De Beers and Tiffany & Co. The research question the study aims to answer is, firstly: in what manner, as compared to both third- and fourth-wave feminist theories and recent social movements in women’s rights, do mainstream commercial jewellery advertisements reinstate societal gender role expectations, in particular that of the female body and femininity; and subsequently: how contemporary mainstream commercial jewellery advertisements intersect with feminist theories of power, ownership and sexuality and how mainstream commercial jewellery advertising has adopted ‘commodity feminism’ to start presenting femininity as ‘owning/doing’ a sexual body and gaining empowerment from that sexual power. In short the study aims to investigate how mainstream commercial advertising, in particular jewellery advertising, supports or subverts the construction of gender expectations and roles. The advertisements of Tiffany & Co. and De Beers are compared to other ads that reflect third- and fourth-wave feminist thinking, to investigate the possibility of interesting alternative representations of femininity and female bodies. This study makes use of a qualitative research approach, that of critical theory, and in particular feminist theory and textual analysis. The method of research that is employed is that of Semiotic Analysis. The methods of visual/sign analysis and linguistic analysis is used to probe jewellery advertisements. Thus the pictures (setting, framing, pose, composition) as well as the words are analyzed in relation to gender representation
The role of enterprise resource planning in entrenching business processes in a selected organisation in the Western Cape, South Africa
Full text linkThesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019.The main objective of research is to determine how business processes influenced by corporate strategy can be entrenched in an organisation. Organisations rely on business processes to deliver product and services to customers and meet organisational goals. Several process weaknesses prevail in organisations and impede process performance. Organisations merely focus on technical aspects of the transformation to address efficiency and effectiveness in business processes and tend to ignore the social elements attached to the transformation which bring considerable changes in the employees working environment. Human attitude and behaviour can thus impede process change and entrenchment. As a result, the change endeavour fails, and processes are not entrenched. The study thus gave due consideration to the socio-technical elements because process relies on human intervention to progress at some points. The study aimed to understand and interpret how business processes can be entrenched in an organisation and used a selected organisation in the Western Cape, Cape Town as a case study. To address the main research objective three subordinated objectives were developed and a main research question and three sub-research questions were investigated. Given the human element involved in the process transformation, the phenomenon is a socially constructed reality that can be understood and interpreted using a social theory. Actor Network Theory (ANT) was used as a lens through which to understand and interpret the factors influencing the entrenchment of business processes. It is argued that enterprise resource planning (ERP) influences both technical and non-technical factors involved in process entrenchment and that entrenchment emanates from the alignment of interests of social, process and technology actors. An interpretative paradigm applies to the study where qualitative philosophy was followed together with the underpinning theory. The theory and review of literature were used to develop semi-structured interview schedules to collect opinions from participants. The research participants included twenty-one managers at senior, middle and lower level positions from the Finance, HR and IST departments of the studied organisation. Ethical considerations applied to this research relate to the data collection process and the disclosure of the research findings. Data collection was approved by the institution under study to ensure confidentiality and non-violation of organisation policies. In addition, interview questions were reviewed by senior managers to ensure that the information obtained would not hurt the reputation of the organisation. The research findings revealed that actors need to be transformed and supported to accommodate the change and that the principles of ERP can be implemented as a strategy to lead the process transformation and entrenchment. The research generated a general framework to guide the use of technical and non-technical factors to influence process entrenchment. As such, recommendations are made to actors of process transformation to ensure entrenchment
The management of sanitation in a selected area in the Western Cape, South Africa
No full textThesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019.The research provides a broad overview of the problem statement, research objectives, demarcation of the research, research methodology, and significance of the research, a brief literature review and the ethics statement. Theoretical background through a literature review of the selected topic, as well as of the legal frameworks that guide the provisioning of sanitation. The researcher consulted literature that describes the provisioning of sanitation by the City of Cape Town, and the challenges it faces in this regard. The researcher also discussed the legislation that guides sanitation, and five broad themes relating to sanitation, around which the research questions were formulated. The researcher discovered that City of Cape Town employees face a number of challenges that make their job difficult, especially in providing water and sanitation to the communities in Site C in Khayelitsha. The researcher concludes the study and makes recommendations regarding the provision of proper sanitation by the City of Cape Town. These recommendations are based on the study's questionnaire result
The effectiveness of community participation in housing development in a township within a metropolitan municipality in the Western Cape
No full textThesis (MTech (Public Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019.Community participation is an important aspect of South African government policies that deal with integrated development planning and sustainable development. This report presents aspects of community participation in housing development in Site B Khayelitsha. The importance of community participation is acknowledged as it enhances the ability of the community members to demonstrate and use their own views to deal with specific issues and to address the needs and problems that emerge and prevail in their societies. Communities should be involved in the ‘selection, design, planning and implementation’ of projects that will have an effect on them and from which they are going to benefit; and continuous feedback to communities forms a fundamental part of any development activity. The research investigated the Khayelitsha community concerned about the lack of community participation in housing development. The literature covered the legislative framework, philosophy, core principles and values as well as the levels and method of community participation. Mixed method approach was followed in the form of questionnaire survey, followed by the interview. Based on the findings, specific recommendations are made with a view to assist the municipality to improve the level of community participation in the Khayelitsha community
Impacts of cutting of natural forests in the Etayi Constituency in the Omusati Region, Northern Namibia
No full textThesis (MTech (Environmental Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019.Forests are being depleted and the land becoming bare, with little to no vegetation in the Etayi
constituency and in Namibia at large. People rely on the resources of forests for different reasons.
Areas that had trees years back have turned into a desert-like environment due to deforestation. The
purpose of this study was to examine the impact that the cutting of natural forests has had in the Etayi
constituency in the Omusati Region, Namibia. This examination has become necessary because
forests in the Omusati region have undergone a rapid depletion over the past years. However, it should
be noted that these environmentally degrading activities have contributed to the household income in
the form of employment to the indigenous people. Forests has an important role to play in terms of
the conservation of biodiversity. They also harbour unique and endemic species that are mainly
adapted to extreme ecological conditions. They provide vital benefit to the ecosystem, such as wood
for fuel, medicine, fodder for animals and tradable goods, like furniture. Furthermore, forests provide
the soil with nutrients and reduce wind velocity, thus controlling wind erosion and the retardation of
water and moisture depletion. With increasingly uncertain climatic conditions and their related impact
across the continent at large, there is a need for new approaches towards the management of
indigenous forests that support and promote land-users’ resilience to climatic variability and change.
The role of forests in climate change mitigation is important as it sustains the ecosystem.
The maintenance of ecological systems has been acknowledged as one of the most important facets
of sustainable development. Subsequently, the involvement of several international and local policies
and regulations has been established to ensure that natural resources, such as forests, are sustainably
utilised. In rural areas/villages, overdependence on wood for fuel has been identified as one of the
biggest threats to the forests. This has led to environmental degradation that includes, among others,
deforestation, desertification, the extinction of species and soil erosion.
Based on the many issues caused by the over-reliance on wood for fuel, this research sought to
investigate the impact of the over-exploitation of natural forests in the environment. Ninety-seven
(97) respondents, comprising of 51 females and 46 males, were used in this study. Four (4) villages
in the Etayi Constituency were chosen for the study. The study employed a qualitative and
quantitative approach, which included the following methods of data collection: questionnaires,
observation and interviews with respondents in the Etayi community. A quantitative method enabled
the researcher to ask questions such as how many and how often? It helped the researcher further to
plot the responses into graphs and diagrams. Government representatives from the Constituency
Council and Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and Traditional Authorities in the four
villages were interviewed.
The study identified key threats to the forests as a result of high fuelwood collection. These threats
include high levels of poverty, overdependence on the forests, a lack of understanding about the
importance of forests for the environment, little or a lack of information regarding other alternative
sources of energy and the lack of coordination in the management of fuelwood resources. Apart from
fuelwood being used as a source of energy for cooking and lighting, the exploitation of local fuelwood
has become commercialised to supplement household income. Since there is a lack of coordination
in the management of natural resources, fuelwood resources are not being managed at all.
A main argument identified by this study is that forest management must be a combined approach by
all stakeholders. The roles of traditional leaders in forest management should be made public. The
lack of an awareness campaign on the importance of forests, a lack of management coordination as
well as poverty, makes it difficult for the forests policies to be implemented and for the traditional
authorities to manage the forests efficiently.
The study recommends that educational programmes, proper coordination between key stakeholders
and awareness campaigns regarding the environmental importance of forests to residents would
alleviate deforestation and over-exploitation of forests resources. Additionally, an emphasis on the
relationship between traditional and local governance in the management of forests as sources of
fuelwood and the physical environment should receive attention
Evaluation of core competencies required by project managers to effectively execute a construction project
No full textThesis (MTech (Business Administration in Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019.Construction projects are deemed to be complex due to the uncertainties in-volved in such projects. The project management literature has outlined chal-lenges that are found in construction projects. It points out that major challenges and problems found in construction projects include cost and schedule overruns. To achieve construction project success a project has to be completed within cost, time and quality standards or performance. To attain success has always been difficult due to the lack of skills and competencies required by construction project managers. A project manager that has the desired competencies to effectively manage cost, time and quality standards in construction projects is needed. Poor management of construction projects is not only in South Africa but it’s a global challenge. Through the combination of qualitative and quantitative research method (also known a mixed method) this study evaluates project manager’s competencies with the objectives of determining the appropriate competencies that could assist a project manager to excellently execute construction projects. This thesis points out that for an effective project manager to successfully manage construction projects requires to have high strength on leadership competency to provide pro-ject leadership, communication competency to direct a way forward in a project and problem solving competency to provide feasible solutions. Provision of project leadership refers to a project manager upholding effective working relationships with colleagues, influencing others to work without being pressurised and provision of vision for the team to know their direction. Direct a way forward in a project refers to a project manager effectively communicating project objectives, speaking to encourage team members to perform tasks effi-ciently and listen actively. Provision of feasible solutions refers to a project man-ager having an ability to identify a problem, seeking best solutions when dealing with problems and exhibiting creativity in problem solving
Factors influencing the biomass and distribution of sago pondweed, Stuckenia pectinata in a temporarily open/ closed estuary, Zandvlei, Cape Town, South Africa
Full text linkThesis (MTech (Oceanography))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Stuckenia pectinata (Börner, 1912) offers both advantages and disadvantages to the biota and user groups of Zandvlei Estuary, Cape Town. It is therefore imperative that S. pectinata is managed so that it provides ecosystem services without growing to levels where it negatively impacts user groups. This study aimed to understand factors influencing S. pectinata biomass and distribution in Zandvlei Estuary in order to provide conservation authorities with informed S. pectinata management options. S. pectinata biomass and distribution, and system physico- chemical parameters and nutrient characteristics were assessed monthly between November 2016 and November 2017. Samples were collected in the main body of the estuary, in the Marina da Gama canals and in three influent rivers. Elevated salinity was found to negatively influence S. pectinata biomass within the lower reaches. Nutrients were thought to influence seasonal variations in S. pectinata biomass. The distribution of sediment grain size was suspected to influence variations in S. pectinata biomass within the main body of the estuary. The results add to conservation authorities’ understanding of the influence of environmental characteristics on S. pectinata biomass and distribution allowing more effective anticipation of changes in S. pectinata biomass and distribution thus preventing extremes in its growth. The knowledge acquired will assist conservation authorities in refining the S. pectinata harvesting protocol thereby allowing the macrophyte to be maintained more effectively
A critical view of the contribution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to improving the economic and social profile of mining communities in South Africa
Full text linkThesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) includes many elements. Among them, the uplifting of communities is the most common one. The context for this consideration of CSR is the unrest and discontent in the communities surrounding companies carrying out mining operations in South Africa. Desktop evidence is considered to show how mining companies affect surrounding communities in which they carry out their activities under the banner of CSR. A number of communities close to South Africa mines are confronted with socio-economic issues of poor health, including poverty, unemployment and housing inadequacy. These socio-economic problems are some of the reasons that contributed to the mass strike action that hit the Rustenburg platinum belt on the 16th of August 2012. The hypothesis of this treatise is that this strike was in part the failure of CSR.
The drive of this research was to critically review the exercise of CSR by selected mining companies, and the impact they had on socio-economic challenges facing surrounding communities. The following research questions were addressed by desktop analysis: What are the socio-economic challenges facing the mining communities surrounding the mines? What are the sustainable development opportunities for the mining communities? What are the steps taken by South African mining firms to address these challenges and opportunities facing the communities? A qualitative method was used to address these questions.
It is found that CSR policies can be used to overcome social and economic challenges, such as poverty, health, and education in mining communities, especially in less developed nations. However, in South Africa there is lack of commitment from the mining companies with regards to alleviating the socio-economic challenges local communities face. Due to insufficient consultation with the local communities, mining companies focus their attention on initiatives they choose. This choice may be the construction of clinics, classrooms and housing, whereas the local community may prefer they add the negative impacts on the environment as a result of mining activities, other businesses and their health. The conclusion drawn from this evidence is that the CSR practiced by mining companies operating in South Africa is inadequate. Many South African mining companies brand themselves as good corporate citizens, but have little positive and substantive evidence to show for their CSR efforts. It is recommended that there be greater accountability and involvement of the communities in CSR programs designed and implemented by mining companies operating in South Africa
Student preferences for accommodation at a Cape Town University: an application of the stated preference approach
Full text linkThesis (Master of Marketing)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019This thesis sought to investigate students’ preferences regarding university accommodation. The object was to identify the aspects and elements of housing that students deemed most desirable. The research also aimed to ascertain which socio-demographic variables might serve as predictors of preference in student housing.
The thesis focused on student housing at a university in Cape Town, South Africa. The researcher adopted a stated preference approach, applying direct measurement and conjoint analysis methods to answer the research questions. The study commenced with qualitative exploratory research, including a literature review and focus group interviews with students. This was followed by collection of cross-sectional quantitative data using person-administered, structured questionnaires distributed among students at the university. SPSS software was used to analyse a total of 457 completed questionnaires.
The direct measurement results indicated that most students prioritised convenience, safety, cost and privacy when it came to choosing accommodation. The three most important attributes as ranked by respondents were having unlimited free WiFi, the inclusion of a 24-hour computer lab in the building, and 24-hour on-site security. In addition, respondents favoured the presence of a convenience shop/kiosk in the residence, followed by sharing showers with students of their own gender, and being within walking distance of campus. Preferences for some but not all the dimensions of accommodation appeared to be influenced by gender, age group and study level. When indicating their willingness to pay (WTP) for a variety of elements relating to accommodation, it emerged that the question of sharing the space in their room – their living and learning space – was very important to the students. The results showed that, apart from having unlimited WiFi and 24-hour on-site security, the aspects for which respondents were prepared to pay most concerned the private space of the individual, e.g. room privacy and room size, as well as having their own toilet and shower. WTP attributes also varied among students according to age group, gender and level of study.
Results from the stated preference (conjoint) experiment analysis showed that students were most sensitive about the sharing of ablutions and number of roommates, strongly preferring private rooms and facilities, or sharing with fewer other students. Monthly rent is next most influential, followed by distance from campus. The model also showed significant differences in the preferences of students based on their gender. Research in this field is overdue because, owing to recent increases in the tertiary student population in South Africa, there is a growing shortage of student accommodation. Current and future student housing needs must be assessed, and any such assessment requires a thorough grasp of current student accommodation preferences. The results of this research thus contribute to the knowledge and understanding available to managers and developers of student accommodation regarding students’ requirements and preferences. The findings can serve as a set of guidelines for developers of student housing and as a foundation for formulating associated marketing strategies.
Despite the existence of extensive research on student housing, few studies have focused on the preferences of students in developing countries, and even fewer in South Africa. This research seeks to fill this gap by increasing awareness and understanding of students’ preferences with regard to university accommodation
Scope creep management challenges in an outsourced e-commerce project management company in Cape Town
Full text linkThesis (MTech (Project Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019Scope creep is a common cause of project failures. This results in wastage of money, decreased satisfaction and causes the project value not to be met. Most projects seem to suffer scope creep and stakeholders, and project teams are continuously frustrated by it. Why are the effective means of managing scope seemingly escaping us? There is a lot of literature on the most effective methods of curbing scope creep. Various methodologies and project management software has been developed to deal with the issue of scope creep. However it is still regarded as one of the main challenges facing various projects. One of the active outsourced e-commerce project management companies in Cape Town, South Africa, observed that scope creep was affecting almost every project. Even well-executed e-commerce projects that meet time and budget constraints often fail to meet the expectations of the clients. In most cases the root cause can be traced back to scope issues. It has been observed that almost all e-commerce projects have to deal with scope creep. Project managers, customers and developers do not shoulder all the blame. This research study explores the challenges of managing scope creep. It aims to unveil the extent to which scope creep affects projects, and the underlying challenges of managing scope creep. More and more projects are failing regardless of the documentation, and training programmes on scope management. Perceptions of all the stakeholders are highlighted. The study also seeks to assist project managers on how to avoid scope creep. It has been proven that attempting to avoid it does not eliminate the problem. Therefore, this research study aims to bring about a practical solution to scope creep in e-commerce projects. This research study adopted both a qualitative research approach. Stemming from the findings of this study, recommendations such as employing well trained project managers, who are also trained developers, to assist in scoping the complex projects were made. Clients should also be participants in the scope management initiatives and should be consulted throughout the project. This research study was also done with the intention of assisting Project Management students’ training by contributing to the Project Management body of knowledge. This would help trainers and educators understand the real challenges in the field, and prepare them to provide solutions for future practice