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The impact of workplace flexibility on employee performance in a construction company in South Africa
No full textThe primary goal and objective of this research study was to establish how workplace flexibility impacted employee performance at a South African construction company. Research highlighted that workplace flexibility had grown in popularity because of its cost reduction opportunities and that remote workforces have created competitive advantage in the industries they work for. This study is important because flexible employees who work remotely and are engaged and enabled in the workplace positively affect employee performance, which ultimately positively affects organisational performance, keeping a company competitive in its sector.
The approach that was used for the research was qualitative, and the targeted population consisted of administrative workers who work remotely and participate in workplace flexibility practices in a construction company where most of the employees from this type of industry usually work on-site. Ten participants were purposively selected, and the framework used to collect data from the participants was semi-structured interviews. Before data collection, the interview framework was tested with pilot testing four participants from the construction company.
Data were analysed, interpreted, and categorised into themes using thematic analysis methods. The study findings led to the development of the three main themes, together with subthemes, as was shown in the researcher’s own compilation figure 4.3 in Chapter 4, named Sharon’s Workplace Flexibility and Performance Framework (SWFPF), which illustrates the thematic relationships of the findings.
The findings strongly supported a positive relationship between workplace flexibility and employee performance, where participants highlighted improved job satisfaction, which heightened their organisational commitment and performance. They attributed this improvement to the flexibility of their work arrangements, predominantly working-from-home or any preferred location, which improved their performance and strengthened their commitment to their job and additionally lowered their stress levels. However, challenges were noted, particularly in managing organisational conflicts that arose from the implementation of workplace flexibility and its impact on work-life balance.
Recommendations for improvement to workplace flexibility practices to optimise their effectiveness included strategies to mitigate biases in data collection, the participant pool to be expanded beyond a single company, and the ensuring of comprehensive understanding and utilisation of workplace flexibility policies amongst employees.
In addition, recommendations for resource investment to improve the effectiveness of workplace flexibility included training programs, technological infrastructure, and communication channels. Stakeholder motivation remained crucial in maintaining a positive impact of workplace flexibility on employee performance. The proposed avenues for future research were designed to explore more depth into the effects of flexibility at work in multiple construction companies, evaluating differences in performance, satisfaction, and turnover rates. Longitudinal studies were recommended to monitor the evolving impact of workplace flexibility over time, while an examination of technology's role in enabling workplace flexibility within the construction industry was also suggested.
The researcher’s own compilation figure 5.1 in Chapter 5, named Sharon’s Consequences of Workplace Flexibility (SCWF), illustrates the conclusions that the researcher had drawn from the findings and from the results that were highlighted in Chapter 4.M.B.A.Graduate School of Business Leadershi
Development of culturally sensitive guidelines for disclosing bad news in palliative care: Ethiopia
Get PDFBackground: Breaking bad news is a difficult task and on occasions, such news is withheld from the patient. This task of disclosing life-threatening illness and poor prognosis requires a full understanding and appreciation of contextual cultural issues. There is scarce evidence of the cultural preferences regarding disclosure of bad news when a patient is diagnosed with life threatening-illness in the Ethiopian context. This study aimed to explores the Ethiopian community cultural preferences on the disclosure of bad news when a family member is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease to develop guidelines for this eventuality.
Methods: A qualitative research approach and purposive sampling method were applied. In-depth interviews and observation were employed to collect data from fifty-one participants. In all, twenty-five in-depth interviews and twenty-six observations were undertaken. Field notes were taken during field observations. The study participants were patients, healthcare professionals and community members. Data was transcribed verbatim and analysed by using ATLAS.ti 22. The guideline developed was sent to nine experts and community members for their feedback on its applicability and cultural sensitivity.
Findings: Patients with life-threatening-illness disclosed that they prefer full but culturally ensitive medical information regarding their diagnosis of serious illness. Disclosure of poor prognosis should preferably be delivered to the patient family. The religious beliefs,
values and rituals of Ethiopian culture are important during the disclosure of news on life-threatening. The respondents identified some advantages of breaking disclosing bad news. Participants submitted that such news should be incremental rather than stunning, amiable, roundabout, sensitive and sympathetic. A six-step, culturally adaptive guideline for breaking negative news was developed and validated.
Conclusion: Patients with life threatening-illness should be informed of their medical condition in the presence of family. Disclosure of bad news in such circumstances was perceived as helpful in curtailing expenses and meeting the patients’ needs in palliative care. The patients submitted on their participation in decision on treatments. Cultural values, religious beliefs and preferred approaches should be considered carefully when conveying bad news. The availability of culturally adaptive guidelines could assist healthcare professionals to accommodate the patients’ values, beliefs and preferences when disclosing bad news.Health Studie
The healthcare system and client failures contributing to maternal mortality in rural Kenya
Get PDFAbstract
Background
The global maternal mortality ratio is estimated at 211/100 000 live births in 2017. In Kenya, progress on reducing maternal mortality appears to be slow and persistently higher than the global average, despite efforts by the government’s provision of free maternity services in both private and public facilities in 2013. We aimed to explore and describe the experiences of midwives on maternal deaths that are associated with the healthcare system and client failures in Migori, Kenya.
Methods
An explanatory, qualitative approach method was adopted. In-depth interviews were conducted with the purposively selected midwives working in peripartum units of the three sampled hospitals within Migori County in Kenya. The hospitals included two county referral hospitals and one private referral hospital. Saturation was reached with 37 respondents. NVivo 11 software was used for analysis. Content analysis using a qualitative approach was adopted. Accordingly, the data transcripts were synthesised, coded and organised into thematic domains.
Results
Identified sub-themes: sub-optimal care, staff inadequacy, theatre delays, lack of blood and essential drugs, non-adherence to protocols, staff shortage, inadequate equipment and supplies, unavailable ICU wards, clients’ ANC non-adherence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study notes that the healthcare system and client failures are contributing to maternal mortality in the study setting. The major failures are across the pregnancy continuum starting from antenatal care, and intrapartum to post-natal care. This can illustrate that some pregnant mothers are getting sub-optimal care reducing their survival chances. To reduce maternal mortality in Migori County, the key highlighted healthcare system and client failures should be addressed through a multidisciplinary approach mechanism
The impact of student protests on motivation, academic performance, and retention rate at Nkangala TVET college, Mpumalanga province
Get PDFStudent protests continue to be a challenge in most universities and TVET colleges in South Africa. The current study sought to investigate the impact of student protests on motivation, academic performance, and retention rate at Nkangala TVET College, Mpumalanga Province. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of student protests on motivation, academic performance, and retention rate at Nkangala TVET College. Considering the nature of this study, the positivist research paradigm was followed by the researcher, and a quantitative research approach was used, utilising cross-sectional survey methods to collect data from 175 participants consisting of 160 NCV level 4 students and 15 lecturers. Secondary data on students’ records were also used for the study. The Attribution theory served as the theoretical framework for the study. The research findings revealed that student protests have a negative impact on motivation, academic performance, and retention rates at the institution. It was also found that student protests result in teaching and learning disturbances, and such disturbances negatively affect student motivation, resulting in students' lack of motivation. Low motivation among students has also been indicated as the key contributor to poor academic performance and results in dropout and low retention rates. The results also revealed that most student protests are a result of financial burdens, especially for students financed by NSFAS. The study further indicated that it would be of benefit if NSFAS allowances were paid on time and if there was clear communication between management and students.M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)Psychology of Educatio
Assessing the extent of transparency within procurement processes at the Johannesburg Roads Agency
Get PDFThe South African Constitution of 1996, section 217 [1] requires public procurement to
be done under a system that is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive, and costeffective; and procurement must be done through the Supply Chain Management
(SCM) system carrying out all these principles including value for money. Procurement
encompasses the transparent acquisition of goods and services guided by the principle
laid out by the Constitution of South Africa. However, the maintenance of a high level of
transparency in most procurement processes has been a major challenge in most
agencies. The study assesses the extent of transparency within the procurement
processes at the Johannesburg Roads Agency. A mixed-method research approach
was used to assess the extent of transparency and a structured questionnaire was used
as a tool for data collection. The study employed a purposive sampling technique. The
findings revealed that transparency is exercised when rendering procurement
processes under section 217 of the Constitution. The study further recommends that
there should be continuous enforcement of regulations and policies in place to enhance
compliance with policies. Furthermore, internal controls should always be reinforced in
supply chain management to avoid challenges associated with procurement.
Continuous oversight monitoring, adherence to audits, monitoring, and evaluation of
performance management systems are recommended to sustain an efficient and
effective procurement system as well as improve accountability and capacity for
learning and improvement.
Key words: Public procuremen
The Implementation of Telegram as A Pedagogical Tool to Enhance Student Motivation and Interaction
No full textDespite efforts to understand how social media platforms encourage student interaction, researchers have noted that there needs to be more research that focuses on using Telegram messenger as a means to encourage student motivation and interaction in academic writing. This study aimed to understand how Telegram groups, created for first-year students at ODeL universities, increase student motivation and interaction in the Academic Writing module. This type of research is qualitative. This study uses a qualitative interpretative approach. Data collection techniques using interviews and observation. The subjects of this study were 4 lecturers and 9 students. The data analysis technique used is descriptive qualitative analysis. The study results found that lecturers considered Telegram a useful pedagogical tool to increase student motivation and interaction. Further findings reveal that Telegram motivates students to interact in groups and with modules. It is suggested that stakeholders reconsider their pedagogy and encourage using Telegram to assist students' learning of academic writing.English Studie
Finding an effective problem-solving heuristic instructional approach for circle geometry
No full textAbstracts in English, Afrikaans and ZuluThis research study carried out an investigation into finding a contemporary problem- solving instructional approach that will be effective for teaching and learning of mathematics in South African schools, with specific focus on circle geometry. Prior to conducting this study, a retrospection was done into the mathematical practices implemented, in schools in South Africa, by researchers, educational practitioners and stakeholders such as Non-Governmental Organisations. The aforementioned unanimously identified the instructional approaches for teaching and learning of mathematics, particularly, the traditional teaching and learning approach, as problematic and counter-productive, and this might be contributing to poor learners’ performances. In a bid to replace the obsolete traditional approach, the researcher in this study recommended: “teaching thinking skills” and “teaching effective problem-solving instructional approaches” as more appropriate. With regards to teaching thinking skills, the infusion approach (teaching thinking skills, along with content instructions), was highlighted. For teaching effective problem-solving, Polya’s Problem-Solving Model, was investigated. To ensure an effective design and implementation of the proposed problem-solving instructional approach, the APOS theory (ACE teaching cycle) was adopted. Also, the teaching and learning of circle geometry was carried out in a collaborative classroom setting. This proposed instructional approach was tentatively, labelled as “IPAC mathematics problem-solving instructional model’’ or simply, the “IPAC model”. This was an acronym for the four elements of this new approach, namely - the infusion approach, Polya’s approach, and APOS theory in a collaborative learning classroom. Two groups of Grade 11 mathematics learners served as participants for this study: group 1 - 11A had 30 learners (the control group) and group 2- 11B had 32 learners (the experimental group). Data collected methods for this study were: observations of participants in their natural classroom settings, recorded videos, questionnaires, photograph of participants’ work (classwork/homework and standardized tests). This study followed a mixed-method research design, hence, both quantitative and qualitative data analyses procedures were implemented. The quantitative data was analysed by implementing inferential statistics and descriptive statistics, while the APOS theory analysis was used to analyse the qualitative facet of the collected data. During the APOS theory analysis, content analysis was done on participants’ written responses to each of the four standardized tests’ data. The content analysis was carried out on the written responses of participants, from both the control and the experimental groups. The research findings that emanated from this study were the following: that this new method of teaching and learning is valid, practical and effective; there was a statistically significant improvement in the test scores of participants who were taught by the new instructional approach; participants’ conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, strategic competence and mathematical reasoning skills were enhanced; participants’ problem-solving competence improved, during and after the intervention; the IPAC model guided the majority of the participants to operate at the object and schema levels in relation to the APOS theory mental conceptions. Lastly, the ACE teaching instructional approach significantly guided and enhanced participants’ cognitive engagement and development, which ultimately, optimized their problem-solving competence. Based on these research findings, the researcher recommended among others, that the new instructional approach - the IPAC model, should be implemented for teaching and learning of circle geometry in South African schools. The researcher also recommended that cultivation of thinking skills and implementation of effective problem-solving instructional approaches should be prioritized in mathematics classrooms in South Africa. The researcher established from this study that the developed IPAC model will serve as an effective and a reliable pedagogical tool which can address some of the teaching and learning challenges teachers and learners encounter in mathematics classrooms.Hierdie navorsingstudie het 'n ondersoek gedoen na die vind van 'n kontemporêre probleemoplossende onderrigbenadering wat effektief sal wees vir onderrig en leer van wiskunde in Suid-Afrikaanse skole, met spesifieke fokus op sirkelmeetkunde. Voor die uitvoering van hierdie studie is 'n terugblik gedoen na die wiskundige praktyke wat in skole in Suid-Afrika geïmplementeer is deur navorsers, opvoedkundige praktisyns en belanghebbendes soos nie-regeringsorganisasies. Die instruksionele benaderings vir onderrig en leer van wiskunde, veral die tradisionele onderrig-en-leerbenadering, is eenparig geïdentifiseer as problematies en teenproduktief, en dit kan dalk bydra tot swak leerders se prestasies. In 'n poging om die uitgediende tradisionele benadering te vervang, het die navorser in hierdie studie aanbeveel: "onderrig van denkvaardighede" en "onderrig van effektiewe probleemoplossende onderrigbenaderings" as meer gepas. Met betrekking tot die onderrig van denkvaardig hede, is die infusiebenadering (onderrig van denkvaardighede, tesame met inhoudsinstruksies), uitgelig. Vir die onderrig van effektiewe probleemoplossing is Polya se probleemoplossingsmodel ondersoek. Om 'n effektiewe ontwerp en implementering van die voorgestelde probleemoplossende onderrigbenadering te verseker, is die APOS-teorie (GOS-onderrigsiklus) aanvaar. Die onderrig en leer van sirkelmeetkunde is ook in 'n samewerkende klaskameropset uitgevoer. Hierdie voorgestelde onderrigbenadering is voorlopig, gemerk as "IPAC wiskunde probleemoplossing instruksionele model" of eenvoudig die "IPAC model". Dit was 'n akroniem vir die vier elemente van hierdie nuwe benadering, naamlik - die infusiebenadering, Polya se benadering en APOS-teorie in 'n samewerkende leerklaskamer. Twee groepe graad 11-wiskunde-leerders het as deelnemers vir hierdie studie gedien: groep 1 - 11A het 30 leerders (die kontrolegroep) en groep 2- 11B het 32 leerders (die eksperimentele groep). Data wat ingesamel is metodes vir hierdie studie was: waarnemings van deelnemers in hul natuurlike klaskamerinstellings, opgeneemde video's, vraelyste, foto van deelnemers se werk (klaswerk/huiswerk en gestandaardiseerde toetse). Hierdie studie het 'n gemengde-metode navorsingsontwerp gevolg, dus is beide kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe data-ontledingsprosedures geïmplementeer. Die kwantitatiewe data is ontleed deur inferensiële statistiek en beskrywende statistiek te implementeer, terwyl die APOS teorie-analise gebruik is om te analiseer die kwalitatiewe faset van die versamelde data. Tydens die APOS-teorie-analise is inhoudsontleding gedoen op deelnemers se geskrewe antwoorde op elk van die vier gestandaardiseerde toetse se data. Die inhoudsanalise is uitgevoer op die geskrewe reaksie van deelnemers, van beide die kontrole- en die eksperimentele groepe. Die navorsingsbevindinge wat uit hierdie studie voortgespruit het, was die volgende: dat hierdie nuwe metode van onderrig en leer geldig, prakties en effektief is; daar was 'n statisties beduidende verbetering in die toetstellings van deelnemers wat deur die nuwe onderrigbenadering onderrig is; deelnemers se konseptuele begrip, prosedurele vlotheid, strategiese bevoegdheid en wiskundige redenasievaardighede is verbeter; deelnemers se probleemoplossingsbevoegdheid het verbeter, tydens en na die intervensie; die IPAC-model het die meerderheid van die deelnemers gelei om op die objek- en skemavlakke te werk in verhouding tot die APOS-teorie se verstandelike opvattings. Laastens het die GOS-onderrigbenadering die deelnemers se kognitiewe betrokkenheid en ontwikkeling aansienlik gelei en verbeter, wat uiteindelik hul probleemoplossingsbevoegdheid geoptimaliseer het. Op grond van hierdie navorsingsbevindinge het die navorser onder andere aanbeveel dat die nuwe onderrigbenadering - die IPAC-model, geïmplementeer moet word vir onderrig en leer van sirkelmeetkunde in Suid-Afrikaanse skole. Die navorser het ook aanbeveel dat die kweek van denkvaardighede en implementering van effektiewe probleemoplossende onderrigbenaderings in wiskundeklaskamers in Suid-Afrika geprioritiseer moet word. Die navorser het uit hierdie studie vasgestel dat die ontwikkelde IPAC-model sal dien as 'n effektiewe en betroubare pedagogiese hulpmiddel wat sommige van die onderrig- en leeruitdagings wat onderwysers en leerders in wiskundeklaskamers ondervind, kan aanspreek.Lolu cwaningo luqukethe uphenyo mayelana nokuthola ikhambi elingaxazulula ekutholeni indlela eqondile engaletha imiphumela ewusizo ekufundiseni nasekufundeni kwezibalo ezikoleni zaseMzansi Africa, ezophinde ibhekane ngqo ne circle Geometry. Ngaphambi kokuba kuqale lolu cwaningo, kube nolunye ucwaningo olunzulu olwenziwe ngezinye izindlela esezivele zikhona mayelana nezibalo, ezikoleni zaseMzansi Africa, lwenziwa ngabacwaningi, izifundiswa ezingo ncweti Kanye nezinhlangano ezizimele. Inhlangano ebizwa nge okushiwo ngenhla luhlonze indlela eqondile yokufundisa nokufunda izibalo, ikakhulukazi, indlela ejwayelekile yokwenza, njengezindlela eziyinkinga nezingahambisani, futhi lokhu ngungaba yimbangela ekungenzini kahle kwabafundi. Emkhankasweni wokushintsha lolu hlelo oludala lokwenza olungasasizi, uMhlaziyi kulolu cwaningo uncome ukuthi: “ikhono elufundisa ukuzicabangela” Kanye “nekhono lokufundisa elisebenzayo ukuzixazululela izinkinga” njengendlela okuyiyo efanele. Mayelana nekhono elifundisa ukuzicabangela, indlela eyiqophelo (ikhono elifundisa ukuzicabangela, elihambisana nemigomo equkethwe), luthintiwe. Mayelana nohlelo oluwusizo ekuxazululeni izinkinga, uhlelo luka Polya lokuxazulula izinkinga luphenyiwe. Ukuqinisekisa ukuthi uhlelo olusebenzayo futhi oluzosentsenziswa ekuphakamiseni indlela eqondile enemigomo ekuxazululeni izinkinga yokwenza, i APOS theory (ACE teaching cycle) iyona ekhethiwe. Okunye, uhlelo lokufundisa nokufunda i circle geometry lukhishiwe endleleni ehlanganisayo yokuhlala egunjini lokufunda. Okwamanje Lolu hlelo oluphakanyisiwe lokufundisa, lubekwe njenge “IPAC indlela yezibalo eqondile yokuxazulula izinkinga enemigomo” . Lokhu kuyigama elifinqiwe elakhiwe izinhlamvu ezine kule ndlela entsha ebizwa nge infusion approach, Polya’s approach, Kanye ne APOS theory egunjini lokufunda elihlanganisile. Amaqembu amabili ebanga le shuminanye labafundi bezibalo basentshenzisiwe ukubamba iqhaza kulolu cwaningo: iqembu lokuqala ibanga 11A ebelinabafundi abangu 30 (iqembu labaqondisi) bese iqembu lesibili ibanga 11B ebelinabafundi abangu 32 (iqembu elenzayo). Ucwaningo oluqoqiwe lwalendlela lube kanje: imibono yalaba ebekade bebambe iqhaza egunjini lokufunda obuhleliwe, baqophe amavidiyo, babhala imibuzo, bathatha izithombe zalaba ekade bembambe iqhaza lwalomsebenzi wokubamba iqhaza. (imisebenzi yasegunjini lokufunda/imisebenzi yasekhaya Kanye nokwenza uvivinyo). Lolu phenyo lulandele uhlelo oluxubile okuwuhlelo lokuphenya, yingakho zombili lezi zinhlelo zokuqukethwe nokuseZingeni zokuqoqa uphenyo olwenziwe zisentshenzisiwe. Uhlelo lokuqukethwe lemininingwane lusentshenzisiwe ukuhlaziya ngokusebenzisa uhlelo lokuqoqa okutholakele Kanye nohlelo lokwenza okutholakele, futhi kube kwenziwa ne APOS theory analysis ukuhlaziya okusezingeni eliphezulu zigxenye zonke lwemininingwane eqoqiwe. Ngesikhathi se APOS theory analysis, ukuhlaziywa kokuqukethwe okwenziwe ababambe iqhaza babhale okwenzekile ngesikhathi benza lezi zivivinyo ezine ezibekiwe. Uhlelo lokuhlaziya okuqukethwe lwenziwe labhalwa yilaba kade bebambe iqhaza, kuwo womabili amaqembu , elokuqondisa nelokwenza. Uphenyo olutholakele kulolu hlelo lunje: lolu hlelo lokufundisa nokufunda luyasebenza, luyenzeka, futhi lunomehluko: ngokwezibalo kube nomehluko omkhulu oncono ezibalweni zalabo ekade bebambe iqhaza besebenzisa indlela entsha yemigomo: bonke ekade bebambe iqhaza bathole ithuba lokuthi kuthuthuke amakhono abo ekwazini ukuqonda ukuzicabangela, ekwazini ukwenza izinto ezinomehluko eyinqubomgomo, ukumelana nezindlela eziningi eziphumelelisayo Kanye nekhono lokuqonda izibalo; ikhono lalabo ekade bebambe iqhaza ekuxazululeni izinkinga ngokusezingeni lithuthukile, ngesikhathi nangemuva kokwenza ucwaningo; I IPAC model ukwenzisa abaningi balaba ekade bebambe iqhaza kalula umsebenzi ngokuhlukana kwamazinga kusentsenziswa i APOS theory. Ekugcineni, indlela yokwenza ebizwa nge ACE teaching ikwazile okwenzisa kahle ngokusezingeni eliphezulu futhi yakhuphula labo ebekade bebambe iqhaza yaphinde yabathuthukisa, lokhu okwenze bakwazi ukuba sezingeni lokuphumelela ukuxazulula izinkinga. Ngenxa yalokhu okutholakale kucwaningo, umcwaningi uncome ukuthi kokunye, indlela entsha yokwenza ngemigomo – i-IPAC, kumele isentshenziswe ekufundiseni nasekufundeni i circle geometry ezikoleni zaseMzansi Africa. Umcwaningi uphinde waphakamisa ukuthi ukuthuthukisa ikhono lokuzicabangela nokwenziwa kwezindlela ezisebenzayo zokuxazulula izinkinga kumele zibekwe phambili emagunjini okufunda izibalo eMzansi Africa. Umcwaningi ubeke indlela eseqophelweni eliphezulu eyisisekelo kusukela kwisifundo esenziwe yokuthi i IPAC model iyona esebenza njenge ndlela eyithuluzi elibonakalayo futhi elinemiphumela emihle ethembekile, engakwazi ukubhekana nezinkinga futhi ixazulule izinqinamba zokufundisa nokufunda ezikoleni, lezi othisha nabafundi ababhekana nazo egunjini lokufundela izibaloD. Phil. (Education)Educational Studie
The perceptions of youth on the prevention of substance use disorder in the Cape Flats: suggestions for social work practice
No full textText in EnglishYouth participation is a recognised strategy in the prevention of substance abuse. Different preventative strategies require a concerted effort involving various stakeholders to prevent and reduce substance abuse. This study described the perceptions of youths on the prevention of substance use disorder. A qualitative approach, supported by three research designs was utilised to answer TWO overarching research questions. Non-probability purposive sampling was employed to recruit youth residing in the Cape Flats to participate in face-to-face interviews and focus groups discussions. The community development theory and triangle of youth participation theory were utilised as theoretical frameworks for this study. The data were analysed following the eight steps of Tesch, while Lincoln and Guba’s model was used for data verification. Informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity was applied to ensure ethical practice. The findings culminated in the presentation of suggestions for social work practice, recommendations for policy, education and future research. The findings revealed the severe impact of substance abuse on youth and their communities. It was evident that different sectors i.e., Faith Based, Recreational skills training programmes, Street committees and Law enforcement are trying their best to have a community free of substances. However, 90% of the participants articulated that the existing programmes are not effective. In addition, the study highly recommended the collaboration between stakeholders to jointly implement substance abuse prevention programmes to address the substance abuse problem amongst the youth. Moreover, the participants further recommended that preventive programmes must be appropriate, attractive and must be tailored for specific community.M.A. (Social Work)Social Wor
An analysis of the implementation of communication integration in Metropolitan Life Insurance in South Africa
Get PDFThis study evaluated communication implementation within Metropolitan Life Insurance (“Metropolitan”) in South Africa. In the current volatile and competitive market setting where companies have similar offerings, compounded by easily accessible information due to technological advancement, having the best products and services does not warrant the success of an organisation. Organisations must invest in relationships with stakeholders to remain relevant to their needs and have a competitive advantage through effective and efficient communication. The prevailing economic headwinds, alongside the scepticism and lack of confidence in companies because of irrefutable corporate scandals, obligate organisations to conduct their business practices transparently.
The South African insurance industry is highly competitive and dynamic, especially post-1994 when the reintegration into the international economy took place. The industry is one of those under constant scrutiny mainly because it offers risk management solutions in which the insurance company warrants payment for an uncertain future event. At the same time, they require the customer to pay a certain amount of money as a premium in exchange for the protection promised. They sell a promise. In this regard, insurance companies should implement communication integration (CI) to build their organisational stakeholder groups and intentionally coordinate stakeholder stakes into consistent and targeted communication behaviour.
Qualitative and quantitative techniques were applied to collect the data for this study. The qualitative data was collected through telephonic and video interviews and analysed through thematic analysis, where repeated patterns in the data set were identified, while online surveys were used to collect the quantitative data, which was descriptively analysed. The study found that Metropolitan needs policies, frameworks or models that guide communication integration. Metropolitan also needs to learn how to implement it. The study also revealed that there are attempts to align internal messages for consistency; however, external messages are not consistent with internal messages.
Lastly, it was found that the organisational strategic alignment of messages is aligned; however, the practical implementation thereof is not possible as these are not broken down into achievable objectives that employees can implement.
The study, therefore, recommends that policies, models, and frameworks that guide the implementation of CI be developed at Metropolitan. The study recommends that Metropolitan syncs internal messages and external, procedural and product messages with internal messages so that CI is achieved. Again, the study recommends that Metropolitan breaks down its strategies, mission, and vision into achievable objectives so what it says externally is implantable internally. Furthermore, a measuring instrument should be developed to evaluate the extent of integrated communication as proposed by VanRiel’s model of organising and coordinating the communication process.M.A. (Communication Science)Communication Scienc
Sex for sale : a comparative analysis of legal models and the socio-economic determinants informing law reform in South Africa
Get PDFThe overarching purpose of this research is to establish the need for legislative and policy reform in respect of the exchange of sexual acts for reward and peripheral crimes in South Africa. It has sought to do so through interrogating the context and the socio-economic determinants at work in South Africa, Canada, Sweden and India; and how each country’s unique context intersects with the chosen policy and legal framework. As a starting point the current criminalised legal framework is positioned as a constitutionally permissible legislative choice. In light of the fact that legislatures the world around draft legislation which regulates sensitive areas of morality, it would seem that the underlying question is which interpretation or understanding of morality should be used to inform legislative reform. This thesis is based on the assumption that the chosen legal framework is a policy choice and argues that this policy should be informed by available evidence and rational analysis, as opposed to political ideology. Evidenced-based research has been used to consider the complexity of the primary socio-economic drivers of poverty, inequality, unemployment and intersecting vulnerabilities such as early exposure to sexual violence as causal to entry into the sale of sexual services. Three global themes underpinning the need for law reform have been considered comparatively, including documenting the unfolding developments around law reform. This research has considered South Africa’s obligations in terms of binding international instruments to bring about normative change in respect of gender-based violence; recognise economic and social rights; curtail aspects associated with the exploitation of prostitution; guard against sex tourism; suppress all forms of trafficking in women, and address patriarchy and traditional stereotypes of women as sex objects. It is axiomatic that the solution to a problem sustained by socio-economic drivers is to be found in the disruption of those very same drivers. The outcome of this research is a recommendation in favour of substantive equality in the form of a country-specific legal framework of partial criminalisation coupled with the realisation of socio-economic rights.LL. D.Public, Constitutional, and International La