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Measurement of the top-quark mass using a leptonic invariant mass in pp collisions at s = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector
No full textAbstract
A measurement of the top-quark mass (mt) in the
t
t
¯
→ lepton + jets channel is presented, with an experimental technique which exploits semileptonic decays of b-hadrons produced in the top-quark decay chain. The distribution of the invariant mass mℓμ of the lepton, ℓ (with ℓ = e, μ), from the W-boson decay and the muon, μ, originating from the b-hadron decay is reconstructed, and a binned-template profile likelihood fit is performed to extract mt. The measurement is based on data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb−1 of
s
= 13 TeV pp collisions provided by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded by the ATLAS detector. The measured value of the top-quark mass is mt = 174.41 ± 0.39 (stat.) ± 0.66 (syst.) ± 0.25 (recoil) GeV, where the third uncertainty arises from changing the Pythia8 parton shower gluon-recoil scheme, used in top-quark decays, to a recently developed setup
Developing an integrated framework to assess South African small and rural municipalities’ readiness for smart city implementation
No full textText in EnglishIn South Africa, small and rural municipalities are engulfed in service delivery issues. This
affects large municipalities severely because people migrate from small and rural
municipalities to big cities to access basic service delivery, resulting in population growth for these big cities. As the population increases, resources become constrained and thus limited in providing basic services in big cities, which, in turn, triggers endless protests about basic service delivery.
Small and rural municipalities need to manage their resources effectively for such
municipalities to provide basic service delivery to their citizens. The literature postulates that municipalities can transform their cities by implementing the smart city concept. The smart city concept has been around for more than a decade; the term was coined around 1991.
However, small and rural municipalities have a low implementation of a smart city due to the lack of an integrated framework for assessing small and rural municipalities’ readiness for smart city implementation. This study mainly aims to develop an integrated framework as an artefact for assessing small and rural municipalities’ readiness for smart city implementation. Hence, the study followed a design science research methodology. During the design science research process, a systematic literature review is conducted to develop a conceptual framework, which is then revised through empirical work.
This study revised a proposed conceptual framework using interview data. During that stage, an assessment tool to gauge the readiness of small and rural municipalities for smart city implementation was also developed. The revised framework and assessment tool were evaluated through participatory design and later validated through expert review. Chapter 6 presents the final integrated framework. The finalised integrated framework and assessment tool can be used to assess the readiness of small and rural municipalities to gauge their levels of preparedness for implementing a smart city. Furthermore, municipal authorities can utilise this framework to identify areas needing improvement towards smart city implementation. This study also serves as a basis for future studies.D. Phil. (Information Systems)School of Computin
Farmers' acceptability of university-based agricultural extension in a pluralistic extension system in Gauteng Province of South Africa
No full textIncludes summaries in Afrikaans and Northern SothoPluralistic extension systems involving various stakeholders have been implemented
in many countries to improve the efficiency of, and access to, extension and advisory
services. From the perspective of some sections of society, universities offering
agricultural programmes have the potential to render extension and advisory services
in collaboration with the government because they are involved in knowledge
generation through research and teaching. However, it is unknown whether farmers
are in favour of a pluralistic extension system involving universities. The aim of the
study was to explore farmers’ willingness to accept university-based agricultural
extension in a pluralistic extension system in the province of Gauteng in order to
establish whether the extension services are demand-driven. The objectives of the
study were to profile the socio-demographic characteristics of farmers who receive
public agricultural extension and advisory services in Gauteng; to determine farmers’
perception of public agricultural extension and advisory services, with specific
reference to the perceived quality of extension services and influencing factors, as well
as the frequency of access to public extension services and its determinants; to
ascertain farmers’ access to sources of extension services; to determine farmers’
perception of the effectiveness of public agricultural extension and advisory services,
with specific reference to perceived effectiveness and influencing factors, as well as
exploratory factors associated with the perceived effectiveness; to ascertain farmers’
acceptance of university agricultural extension in a pluralistic extension system, with
specific reference to willingness to accept, the perceived benefits of university
agricultural extension and factors influencing the acceptability of university agricultural
extension; to determine which university agricultural extension delivery system(s)
farmers preferred, as well as factors influencing their choice; to identify the reasons
why farmers prefer different university extension delivery systems; to ascertain
farmers’ perception of a suitable funding model for university agricultural extension
services; and to determine farmers’ willingness to pay for university agricultural
extension services, as well as factors influencing their choice.
A sample of 442 farmers from Gauteng who were receiving agricultural extension and
advisory services from the government were randomly selected to participate in the study. Using a semi-structured survey instrument, primary data were collected through
face-to-face interviews. Quantitative data were subjected to descriptive statistical
analysis, principal axis factoring (PAF), Kendall’s tau correlation, binary logistic
regression (BLR), multiple linear regression (MLR), multinomial logistic regression
(MNLR), ordered logistic regression (OLR), Cochran’s Q test, McNemar’s test and the
binomial test found in the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version
27. Qualitative data were analysed using codes, themes and indicators and converted
to frequencies and percentages. The results obtained in respect of the socio-economic
and demographic characteristics of the respondents showed that the majority of the
respondents were black African females who were above 35 years of age, had an
average of six years' farming experience, spoke Southern Sotho and had spousal
support through marriage and cohabitation. Most of the farmers farmed in small-scale
settings for non-commercial purposes – the average farm/plot size being 4.55 ha –
and occupied communal and rented farmlands. On average, the respondents earned
a net income of about R21 387.56 from farming per annum and had various sources
of income. Large-scale and highly educated farmers a substantial” income from
farming, whereas farmers who were frequently visited by extension officers did not. It
was found that nearly half of the respondents had access to extension services from
various sources apart from the government, such as commodity organisations, mines,
local municipalities, non-governmental organisations and universities. On average, the
respondents were located about 42.4 km away from public extension offices, and the
majority of the farmlands were ≤50 km from the offices. As a result, the respondents
were visited on average twice a month by public extension officers, and farmers who
relied on farm income to sustain their livelihoods and who were satisfied with the
quality of public extension and advisory services received more monthly visits.
However, farmers who made a larger profit received fewer visits per month. About
51.1% of the respondents were satisfied with the quality of public extension and
advisory services, and they included farmers who were frequently visited by extension
officers, commercial farmers and farmers who regarded public extension services as
effective in complying with the principle of Batho Pele in dealing with people and planning activities. The results obtained in respect of the perceived effectiveness of public extension and
advisory services showed that the majority of the respondents were of the view that
the services were ineffective. Highly educated farmers, older farmers, farmers who
were frequently visited by extension officers and farmers who were satisfied with the
quality of services perceived public extension and advisory services to be effective. In
addition, the exploratory factor analysis indicated that public extension and advisory
services that provided relevant and good-quality services, information that improved
agricultural production and access to technologies were perceived as effective by
farmers. The study found that pluralistic extension involving the government and
universities was demand-driven because a significant majority (91.2%) of the farmers
accepted the inclusion of university extension in a pluralistic extension system, even
though most of them did not know universities that offered agricultural programmes in
the study area. The majority of the respondents were in favour of university extension
because of the various benefits it presents, such as better access to extension and
advisory services; access to formal education and training; and the opportunity to get
advice from subject matter specialists and others. The results of the BLR showed that
farmers who made a larger profit from their agricultural enterprises and perceived their
association with universities as an opportunity to access research funding accepted
the inclusion of universities in a pluralistic extension system. Moreover, three important
factors associated with the acceptability of university extension that were extracted
from the exploratory factor analysis were access to research resources, improved
extension services and training, and the diffusion of university research.
The study
findings showed that most farmers (56.8%) in the study area preferred an extension
delivery system that involved public extension as a means of coordination between
farmers and universities (farmer–public extension–university extension delivery
system). The mentioned system was preferred most importantly because it would
enable farmers to acquire more information from various sources and to maintain a
relationship with the government. The results of the MNLR indicated that farmers who
made a greater profit form their agricultural enterprises preferred a farmer–public
extension–university extension delivery system over a farmer–university extension
delivery system. About half of the respondents preferred to receive extension services
from universities at their farming places, whereas the other proportion of farmers was
divided into those who preferred to visit universities only and those who chose both
locations (universities and farming places). Again, most of the farmers (41.9%)
preferred to receive extension and advisory services from universities in their
vernacular languages. From a funding perspective, it was found that the majority
(55.4%) of farmers, especially those who relied on farming as their main source of
income, were willing to pay for university extension services. However, commercial
farmers and those who were located far from public extension offices were not willing
or less likely to pay for university extension services, as shown by the results of the
BLR. However, the majority (91%) of the respondents agreed that the government
should provide funding for transport, university staff allowances, medical aid (where
necessary), Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and pension fund contributions (if
applicable), office space (if required), office equipment and furniture, information and
communication technology (ICT), stationery, training programmes for farmers and
research for university extension services. Therefore, farmers expect the government
to provide most of the funding for university extension services.
To improve the effectiveness of public extension and advisory services, it is
recommended that public extension agents render relevant, good-quality services and
provide information that improves agricultural production and facilitates access to the
technologies required by farmers. Further, it is recommended that a formal framework
for a pluralistic extension system be developed through a participatory process
involving the Ministry of Higher Education and Training, the Ministry of Agriculture,
farmers, universities and other stakeholders. The framework for a pluralistic extension
system should enable universities to provide research resources to farmers; to
improve access to extension services and training of farmers; and to create a platform
for the diffusion of university research outcomes to farmers. An extension delivery
system involving public extension as the means of coordination should be the main
system of university extension. University extension services should be provided
mostly in the farming areas (farmlands) using South African vernacular languages.
The government should provide most of the funding for transport, gross income,
medical aid, UIF and pension fund contributions, office space, office equipment and
furniture, ICT, stationery, training programmes for farmers and research for university
extension services. Moreover, farmers, universities and farmers’ organisations should
pay a negotiated fee for university extension services.In talle lande bevorder pluralistiese voorligtingstelsels waarby verskeie
belanghebbendes betrokke is, die doeltreffendheid van en toegang tot voorligting en
adviesdienste. Universiteite wat landboukursusse aanbied, kan volgens sommige
sektore in die samelewing saam met die regering voorligting en adviesdienste lewer
omdat hulle deur navorsing en onderrig kennis genereer. Dit is egter onbekend of
boere te vinde sal wees vir ʼn pluralistiese voorligtingstelsel waarby universiteite
betrokke is. Die doel van hierdie studie was om vas te stel of boere in die
Gautengprovinsie universiteite se landbouvoorligting as deel van ʼn pluralistiese
voorligtingstelsel sal aanvaar, en of daar ʼn vraag na sodanige voorligtingsdienste is.
Die oogmerke van hierdie studie was ten eerste om ʼn sosiaal-demografiese profiel
saam te stel van boere in Gauteng wat openbare landbouvoorligting en adviesdienste
ontvang. Ten tweede om boere se siening van openbare landbouvoorligting en
adviesdienste te bepaal, in die besonder hulle siening van die gehalte van
voorligtingsdienste asook die faktore wat dit beïnvloed, en hoe gereeld boere toegang
tot openbare voorligtingsdienste het en faktore wat dit bepaal. Ten derde om boere se
toegang tot die hulpbronne van voorligtingsdienste vas te stel. Vierdens om boere se
siening van die doeltreffendheid van openbare landbouvoorligting en adviesdienste en
die redes daarvoor te bepaal. Vyfdens om vas te stel of boere universiteite se
landbouvoorligting as deel van ʼn pluralistiese voorligtingstelsel sal aanneem, met
verwysing na hulle aanvaarding van die voordele van universiteite se
landbouvoorligting en die faktore wat dit bepaal. In die sesde plek om vas te stel watter
universiteitsvoorligtingstelsel(s) boere verkies, en watter faktore hulle voorkeur
bepaal. In die sewende plek om die vas te stel waarom boere verskillende
universiteitsvoorligtingstelsels verkies. Die agtste doelwit was om boere se siening
van ʼn geskikte befondsingsmodel vir universiteitsvoorligtingsdienste te bepaal. Die
laaste oogmerk is om vas te stel of boere bereid is om vir
universiteitsvoorligtingsdienste te betaal asook die faktore wat hulle bereidwilligheid
beïnvloed.
ʼn Steekproef is lukraak geneem van 442 boere in Gauteng wat voorligting en
adviesdienste van die regering ontvang. Die primêre data is met behulp van ʼn
halfgestruktureerde meningspeiling tydens onderhoude onder vier oë ingesamel. Die
kwantitatiewe data is onderwerp aan ʼn beskrywende statistiese ontleding;
hoofasfaktorering (HAF); Kendall se taukorrelasie; binêre logistiese regressie (BLR);
meervoudige lineêre regressie (MLR); polinome logistiese regressie (PNLR);
geordende logistiese regressie (OLR); Cochran se Q-toets; McNemar se toets; en die
binome toets in die IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) weergawe 27.
Die kwantitatiewe data is aan die hand van kodes, temas en aanwysers ontleed en na
frekwensies en persentasies herlei. Volgens die resultate wat behaal is ten opsigte
van hulle sosiaal-ekonomiese en demografiese kenmerke, was die meeste
respondente swart vroue van ouer as 35. Hulle het gemiddeld ses jaar ondervinding
van boerdery gehad, was Suid-Sothosprekers en was getroud of het saam met ʼn man
gebly. Die meeste van hulle het om niekommersiële redes op ʼn klein skaal – die
gemiddelde grootte van hulle plasies of kleinhoewes is 4,55 ha – op gemeenskaplike
of gehuurde grond geboer. Hulle het ʼn gemiddelde netto inkomste van nagenoeg
R21 387,56 per jaar uit boerdery verdien, en op verskillende inkomstebronne staat
gemaak. In teenstelling met grootskaalse en hoogs opgeleide boere, het hierdie boere,
wat gereeld besoek van voorligtingsbeamptes ontvang, nie ʼn groot inkomste uit
boerdery verdien nie. Sowat die helfte van die respondente kry toegang tot
voorligtingsdienste uit verskillende bronne benewens die regering, soos
landbouprodukorganisasies, myne, plaaslike munisipaliteite,
nieregeringsorganisasies en universiteite. Die naaste openbare voorligtingskantoor
was gemiddeld 42,4 km ver, en die meeste respondente se landbougrond was minder
as 50 km vanaf ʼn voorligtingskantoor geleë. Gevolglik besoek openbare
voorligtingsbeamptes respondente gemiddeld twee keer per maand. Boere wat ʼn
bestaan uit boerdery maak en tevrede was met die openbare voorligting en
adviesdienste, het egter meer besoeke per maand ontvang. Respondente wat ʼn
aansienlike wins gemaak het, is egter minder kere per maand besoek. Sowat 51,1%
van die respondente was tevrede met die gehalte van openbare voorligting en
adviesdienste. Boere wat gereeld deur voorligtingsbeamptes besoek word,
kommersiële boere en boere wat van mening was dat openbare voorligtingdienste wat
deur hulle hulp en aktiwiteite die Batho Pele-beginsel nastrewe, word hierby
ingereken.
Wat die boere se siening van die doeltreffendheid van openbare voorligting en
adviesdienste betref, toon die uitslag dat die meeste respondente van mening was dat
die dienste ondoeltreffend is. Hoogs opgeleide boere, ouerige boere, boere wat
gereeld besoek van voorligtingbeamptes ontvang, en boere wat tevrede is met die
gehalte van dienste, het te kenne gegee dat die openbare voorligting en adviesdienste
doeltreffend was. Afgesien hiervan was openbare voorligting en adviesdienste
volgens die verkennende faktorontleding relevant en van ʼn goeie gehalte. Boere het
laat blyk dat die inligting wat landbouproduksie laat toeneem en hulle toegang tot
tegnologie verbeter, doeltreffend was. Hierdie studie het bevind dat daar inderdaad ʼn
vraag na pluralistiese voorligting deur die regering en universiteite bestaan, aangesien
91,2% van die boere, wat ʼn oorweldigende meerderheid is, ten gunste was van die
insluiting van universiteitsvoorligting by ʼn pluralistiese voorligtingstelsel, ofskoon die
meeste nie bewus was van universiteite in Gauteng wat landboukursusse aanbied nie.
Die meeste respondente was ten gunste van universiteitsvoorligting vanweë die
voordele wat dit inhou, soos beter toegang tot voorligting en adviesdienste, tot formele
onderwys en tot opleiding asook vak- en ander spesialiste. Die uitslag van die BLR
het getoon dat boere wat ʼn groot wins uit hulle landboubedrywe maak en hulle
verbintenis met universiteite beskou as ʼn geleentheid om fondse vir navorsing te
bekom, die insluiting van universiteite by ʼn pluralistiese voorligtingstelsel aanvaar het.
Hierbenewens is drie faktore rakende die aanvaarding van universiteite se insluiting
uit die verkennende faktorontleding verkry, naamlik toegang tot
navorsingshulpbronne, beter voorligtingsdienste en opleiding, en die verspreiding van
universiteite se navorsing. Volgens die bevindings verkies 56,8% van Gautengse
boere ʼn leweringstelsel waarvolgens openbare voorligting ʼn manier is om boere en
universiteite te koördineer (ʼn leweringstelsel bestaande uit boere, openbare
voorligting en universiteite). Boere het hierdie stelsel verkies omdat hulle sodoende
meer inligting uit verskeie bronne kon inwin en betrekkinge met die regering kon
handhaaf. Die resultate van die PNLR dui daarop dat boere wat ʼn aansienlike wins uit
hulle landboubedrywe maak, ʼn leweringstelsel bestaande uit boere, openbare
voorligting en voorligting deur universiteite verkies het bo ʼn leweringstelsel bestaande
uit boere en universiteitsvoorligting. Nagenoeg die helfte van die respondente het
verkies om universiteitsvoorligtingsdienste op hulle boerderye te ontvang. Die ander
helfte was dit oneens. Sommige boere het slegs besoeke aan universiteite verkies,
terwyl ander weer besoeke aan sowel universiteite as hulle boerderye verkies het. Die
meeste boere (41,9%) het verkies om universiteite se voorligting en adviesdienste in
hulle eie taal te ontvang. Wat befondsing betref, was die meerderheid (55,4%), in die
besonder boere vir wie boerdery hulle belangrikste inkomstebron was, bereid om vir
universiteitsvoorligting te betaal. Kommersiële boere en boere vir wie openbare
voorligtingskantore ver weg was, was egter volgens die uitslag van die BLR onwillig
om vir universiteite se voorligtingsdienste te betaal. Die meeste respondente (91%)
was dit eens dat die regering moet instaan vir vervoerkostes, die toelaes van
universiteitspersoneel, mediese fondse (as dit nodig is), die
Werkloosheidsversekeringsfonds (WVF), pensioenfondsbydraes (as dit toepaslik is),
kantoorruimte (as dit nodig is), kantoortoerusting en -meubels, inligting- en
kommunikasietegnologie (IKT), skryfbehoeftes, opleidingsprogramme vir boere en
navorsing vir universiteitsvoorligtingsdienste. Kortom, boere het verwag dat die
regering universiteite se voorligtingsdienste grotendeels befonds.
Ten einde die doeltreffendheid van openbare voorligting en adviesdienste te verbeter,
word aanbeveel dat voorligtingsagente ʼn toepaslike, uitnemende diens lewer en dat
hulle inligting nie alleen landbouproduksie nie, maar ook boere se toegang tot
tegnologie verbeter. Voorts word aanbeveel dat ʼn raamwerk vir ʼn pluralistiese
voorligtingstelsel ontwikkel word deur die Ministerie van Hoër Onderwys en Opleiding;
die Ministerie van Landbou; boere; universiteite en ander belanghebbendes.
Universiteite moet volgens hierdie raamwerk hulle navorsingshulpbronne aan boere
beskikbaar kan stel, boere se toegang tot voorligtingsdienste kan verbeter, boere kan
oplei en ʼn platform kan skep om hulle navorsingsuitkomste aan boere beskikbaar stel.
ʼn Voorligtingleweringselsel waarby openbare voorligting betrek word om koördinering
te vergemaklik, moet die hoofstelsel van universiteitsvoorligting word. Universiteite
moet oorwegend in landbougebiede (boerderye) en in die inheemse tale voorligting
gee. Die regering moet fondse bewillig vir vervoer, ʼn bruto inkomste, mediese hulp,
bydraes tot die WVF en pensioenfondse, kantoorruimte en -toerusting, IKT,
skryfbehoeftes, opleiding vir boere en navorsing met die oog op landbouvoorligting.
Laastens moet boere, universiteite en boereorganisasies ooreenkom op ʼn tarief vir die
voorligtingsdienste wat universiteite lewer.Mananeo a go hlahla balemi go ya ka dinyakwa tša bona ao a akaretšago
batšeakarolo ba mehutahuta a phethagaditšwe ka dinageng tše ntši go kaonafatša go
šoma gabotse ga, le go fihlelela, ditirelo tša tlhahlo le keletšo ya balemi. Go ya ka
kwešišo ya dikarolo tše dingwe tša setšhaba, diyunibesithi tšeo di rutago dithuto tša
temo di na le bokgoni bja go aba ditirelo tša tlhahlo le keletšo ya balemi ka go dirišana
le mmušo ka gobane ba kgatha tema ka tšweletšong ya tsebo ka go dira dinyakišišo
le go ruta. Le ge go le bjale, ga go tsebje ge eba balemi ba rata lenaneo la go hlahla
balemi go ya ka dinyakwa tša bona go tšwa ka diyunibesithing. Maikemišetšo a
dinyakišišo tše e bile go utolla go nyaka ga balemi go amogela tlhahlo ya balemi go
tšwa ka diyunibesithing ka go lenaneo la go hlahla balemi go ya ka dinyakwa tša bona
tše di fapanego ka phrobentsheng ya Gauteng ka
Photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline using surface defective black TiO2–ZnO heterojunction photocatalyst under visible light
Get PDFFabrication of heterojunction and surface defective engineering, through the formation of oxygen vacancies, are among the various photocatalytic enhancement techniques. A combination of these techniques has the prospect of enhancing photocatalytic activities through improved light absorption capabilities and charge separation process of the photocatalysts. In this study, a heterojunction of black titanium oxide-zinc oxide (BTiO2–ZnO) nanocomposite was synthesized using the conventional sol-gel approach, coupled with aluminum foil-assisted NaBH4 reduction. The structure, morphology, surface properties, and optical characteristics of the synthesized material were studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis absorption spectra, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
(EDS), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The XRD confirmed the successful
formation of BTiO2–ZnO heterostructure, while SEM revealed the structural morphology as pseudo-spherical with slight agglomeration. BTiO2–ZnO was found to be more efficient than BTiO2 and BZnO for the removal of tetracycline with degradation efficiencies of 63, 58, and 56 % respectively. The effects of process parameters such as the amount of photocatalyst, pollutant’s concentration, and the initial solution pH on photocatalytic degradation study were systematically explored. The results confirm that the formation of the heterostructure from BTiO2 and BZnO could offer a facile route to improving the catalytic degradation of tetracycline. Therefore, this study offers a novel perspective on the design of efficient metal oxide photocatalyst systems that rely on the integration of defect engineering and heterojunction for the removal of organic contaminants
A tourism employee talent management framework for hotel employee retention in Zimbabwe
No full textAbstracts in English, Afrikaans and ZuluThis study endeavoured to construct a model which will resolve the talent management challenges specifically retention of skilled employees currently being faced by the hospitality industry of Zimbabwe. The aim of the study was to investigate human resources practices among hotel employees by determining which elements of tourism employee talent management and tourism employee training aim at enhancing tourism employee retention in Zimbabwe.
Talent management environment was explored as well as profiling the study subjects - hospitality employees into employee segmentation variables. The study sought to investigate the relationship dynamics between the TTMF and TER in the workplace mediated by TET. Literature from various HR and Tourism paradigms was investigated under TROs. Five hypotheses were established to address the quantitative aspect of the study, while six GQs sought to address the QUAL input of the study. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a purposive sample of hotel employees in the selected hotels. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) were employed to analyse the quantitative data while for qualitative data, QSR NVivo v11 was used to further understand the quantitative results. A mixed method study with qualitative data using sequential explanatory design, produced two-pronged results, which were integrated into a joint display. The main finding of the study is that the results are not consistent with the findings of other results related to employee and tourism employee retention, as training did not mediate relationship between TTMF and TET. At a theoretical level, the study extended the understanding of talent management strategies, hotel employee behaviours and the antecedents thereof in the workplace. At a methodological level, the study delivered an empirically tested TETMF model for enhancing retention at the workplace. Finally, at a practical level, interventions for organisational and industrial in terms of the model were recommended.Hierdie studie het gepoog om ’n model te konstrueer om talentbestuur-uitdagings te oorkom, spesifiek wat betref die behoud van geskoolde werknemers in die gasvryheidsbedryf van Zimbabwe. Die doel was om mensehulpbronne-praktyke te ondersoek wat hotelwerknemers affekteer, deur te bepaal watter elemente van die talentbestuur en opleiding van toerismewerknemers gerig is op die behoud van toerismewerknemers in Zimbabwe.
Die talentbestuur-omgewing is bestudeer en gasvryheidswerknemers is gekategoriseer volgens werknemersegmentering-veranderlikes. Met die studie is daar gepoog om die verhouding tussen die Toerisme-talentbestuurraamwerk (TTMF) en Toerismewerknemerbehoud (TER) in die werkplek te ondersoek, bemiddel deur Toerismewerknemeropleiding (TET). Literatuur van verskeie mensehulpbronne- en toerismeparadigmas is bestudeer onder Teoretiesenavorsingsdoelwitte (TROs) Vyf hipoteses is daargestel om aan die kwantitatiewe aspek van die studie aandag te skenk, en ses Leidende vrae (GQs) het gepoog om die QUAL-inset van die studie te aan te roer. ’n Deursnee-opname is gedoen op ’n doelbewuste steekproefneming van hotelwerknemers in uitgesoekte hotelle. Bevestigende faktorontleding (CFA) en strukturele-vergelyking-modellering (SEM) is gebruik om die kwantitatiewe data te ontleed. Wat die kwalitatiewe data betref, is QSR NVivo v11 gebruik om ’n beter begrip van die kwantitatiewe resultate te kry. ’n Gemengdemetode-studie met kwalitatiewe data wat ’n sekwensiële verklarende ontwerp aanneem, het tweeledige resultate gelewer, wat geïntegreer is in ’n gesamentlike aanbieding.
Die vernaamste bevinding is dat die resultate nie strook met die bevindinge van ander resultate wat met werknemer- en toerismewerknemerbehoud te doen het nie, omdat die opleiding nie die verhouding tussen TTMF en TET bemiddel het nie. Op ’n teoretiese vlak het die studie die begrip van talentbestuurstrategieë, hotelwerknemergedrag en die voorlopers daarvan in die werkplek uitgebrei. Op ’n metodologiese vlak het die studie ’n empiries getoetste Toerismewerknemer-talentbestuurraamwerk (TETMF)-model gelewer vir beter behoud in die werkplek. Laastens, op ’n praktiese vlak, is intervensies vir organisasies en in die bedryf ten opsigte van die toepassing van die model aanbeveel.Lolu cwaningo luzame ukwakha imodeli yokuxazulula izinselelo zokuphathwa kwethalente, ikakhulukazi mayelana nokugcinwa kwabasebenzi abanamakhono embonini yezokuvakasha eZimbabwe. Inhloso bekuwukuphenya izinqubo zabasebenzi ezithinta izisebenzi zasemahhotela ngokuthola ukuthi yiziphi izici zokuphathwa kwethalente labasebenzi bezokuvakasha kanye nokuqeqeshwa kwezisebenzi zezokuvakasha okuhloswe ngazo ukuthuthukisa ukugcinwa kwezisebenzi zezokuvakasha eZimbabwe.
Indawo yokuphathwa kwethalente yahlolisiswa futhi izisebenzi zokwamukela izihambi zahlukaniswa ngokuhlukahluka kwezigaba zabasebenzi. Lolu cwaningo belufuna ukuphenya ubudlelwano phakathi kohlaka lweTourism Talent Management (TTMF) kanye neTourism Employee Retention (TER) endaweni yokusebenza okulamulelwa yiTourism Employee Retention (TET). Izincwadi ezivela kuMnyango Wezabasebenzi eyaziwa ngokuthi yi-HR kanye namapharadimu Ezokuvakasha eyahlukene yaphenywa ngaphansi kwama-TRO. Imibono emihlanu yasungulwa ukuze kubhekwane nengxenye yobuningi bocwaningo futhi ama-GQ ayisithupha afuna ukubhekana nokufaka kwe-QUAL kocwaningo. Inhlolovo ehlukahlukene yenziwa ngesampula yenhloso yabasebenzi basemahhotela akhethiwe. I- Ukuhlaziywa kwesici sokuqinisekisa (UKS) kanye nemodeli yezibalo zesakhiwo (eyaziwa ngokuthi yi-SEM) kwasetshenziswa ukuze kuhlaziywe idatha yobuningi. Mayelana nedatha yekhwalithi, i-QSR NVivo v11 yasetshenziswa ukuze kuqondwe kangcono imiphumela yobuningi. Ucwaningo lwendlela exubile olunedatha yekhwalithi eyamukela idizayini echazayo elandelanayo yakhiqiza imiphumela enezinhlangothi ezimbili, eyahlanganiswa ekubonisweni okuhlanganyelwe.
Okutholakele okuyinhloko ukuthi imiphumela ayihambisani nokutholwe kweminye imiphumela ehlobene nokugcinwa kwabasebenzi kanye nezokuvakasha ngoba ukuqeqeshwa akuzange kulamule ubudlelwano phakathi kwe-TTMF ne-TET. Ngokwezinga lethiyori, ucwaningo lwandisa ukuqonda kwamasu okuphatha ithalente, ukuziphatha kwabasebenzi basehhotela kanye nokwandulela kwakho emsebenzini. Ezingeni lendlela yokwenza, ucwaningo lwethule imodeli ye-Tourism Employee Talent Management Framework (TETMF) evivinywe ngokunamandla ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukugcinwa emsebenzini. Ekugcineni, ezingeni elingokoqobo, ukungenelela kwezilungiselelo zenhlangano nezimboni mayelana nokusetshenziswa kwemodeli kwanconywa.D. Phil. (Tourism management)Management Accountin
Perceptions of teenage girls regarding the use of contraceptives in the Ekurhuleni District, Gauteng Province
No full textPurpose: The purpose of the study was to explore teenage girls’ perceptions regarding the use of contraceptives in the Ekurhuleni District, Gauteng Province.
Setting: The study was conducted at two high schools in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni.
Method: A qualitative, explorative, descriptive design was used. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth interviews and written narratives. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and Braun and Clarke’s six-step method.
Results: A sample of 36 girls between 13 and 19 years participated in the study, and four themes emerged: positive and negative perceptions of contraceptives; personal factors influencing contraceptive use; social factors enabling the use of contraceptives; and environmental factors inhibiting the use of contraceptives. Eight subthemes supported these themes.
Conclusion: Teenage girls have limited knowledge about contraceptives, so they need comprehensive sexual education to learn about contraceptives, methods, effectiveness, and correct usageM.A. (Public Health)Health Studie
Analysis of a mathematical model of malaria transmission
No full textIn this thesis, we analyze a mathematical model for the spread of malaria that consists of
ten components. The human host population is divided into two main categories: semiimmune,
which included all individuals who were immune to malaria, and non-immune,
which included all individuals who were not. However, we further categorized semiimmune
people into vulnerable, exposed, infectious, and recovered; non-immune people
into vulnerable, exposed, and infectious; and the mosquito population into three classes:
susceptible, exposed, and infected. We compute an explicit formula for the reproductive
number, which depends on the weight of transmission from non-immune people to
mosquitoes and from mosquitoes to non-immune humans, as well as the weight of transmission
from semi-immune humans to mosquitoes and from mosquitoes to semi-immune
humans. As a result, the square root of the sum of the squares of these weights for the
two contact kinds represents the reproductive number for the entire population. The DFE
point is GAS if R0 ≤ 1, indicating that malaria dies away, and stable if R0 > 1, indicating
that malaria persists in the population. The model outcome confirms that the disease-free
equilibrium is asymptotically stable when the reproductive number less than one and unstable
when the reproductive number greater than one, and we discuss the possibility of
a control for malaria transmission throughout a definite sub-group such as non-immune,
semi-immune, or mosquitoes.D. Phil. (Applied Mathematics)Mathematical Science
Understanding health outcome drivers among adherence club patients in clinics of Gauteng, South Africa: a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach
Get PDFAbstract
Background
There has been growing interest in understanding the drivers of health outcomes, both in developed and developing countries. The drivers of health outcomes, on the other hand, are the factors that influence the likelihood of experiencing positive or negative health outcomes. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to be a significant global public health challenge, with an estimated 38 million people living with the aim of this study was therefore to develop and empirically test a conceptual research model using SEM, aimed at explaining the magnitude of various factors influencing HIV and other health outcomes among patients attending Adherence Clubs.
Method
This was a cross sectional survey study design conducted in 16 health facilities in the City of Ekurhuleni in Gauteng Province, South Africa. A total of 730 adherence club patients were systematically sampled to participate in a closed ended questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was assessed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency. The proposed model was tested using structural equation modelling (AMOS software: ADC, Chicago, IL, USA).
Results
A total of 730 adherence club members participated in the study. Of these, 425 (58.2%) were female and 305 (41.8%) were male. The overall results indicated a good reliability of all the scale involved in this study as Cronbach alphas ranged from 0.706 to 0.874, and composite reliability from 0.735 to 0.874. The structural model showed that the constructs health seeking behavior (β = 0.267, p = 0.000), health care services (β = 0.416, p = 0.000), stigma and discrimination (β = 0.135, p = 0.022) significantly predicted health outcomes and explained 45% of its variance. The construct healthcare service was the highest predictor of health outcomes among patients in adherence clubs.
Conclusion
Patient health seeking behaviour, healthcare services, stigma and discrimination were associated with perceived health outcomes. Since adherence clubs have been found to have a significant impact in improving patient outcomes and quality of life, there is a need to ensure replication of this model
Intimate partner violence against women as a problem for development: a case study of Kibera, Kenya
Get PDFInclude summaries in Xhosa and ZuluIntimate partner violence (IPV) is a fundamental problem that limits the economic and social development of women in Africa. Comprehending the causes is not straight-forward and this has had a ripple effect on the effectiveness and robustness of strategies meant to address IPV. IPV is becoming a significant obstacle to development owing to its weighty personal, economic, social, and political costs. The main objective of this study was to analyse IPV as it unfolds in the lives of women living in urban, informal settlements of Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya and to describe how it shapes their development. The researcher sought to develop a deeper understanding of IPV from a situated, intersectional perspective thereby extending the theoretical understanding of this phenomenon. A descriptive, qualitative research design was used. Multi-stage sampling, which comprised of simple random sampling, purposive sampling, and snowball sampling, was adopted. A total of 50 women who had suffered from IPV, and 10 key informants participated in the study. The findings illustrate that IPV took the form of physical assaults, and coercive or manipulative behaviour that resulted in physical, sexual, or psychological harm. Economic violence was not mentioned as a type of IPV, but, rather, it was cited as a cause and predisposing factor for IPV. The interviews revealed that alcohol and drug abuse, access to and control of household resources and the andro-patriarchal norms and values held by men were the most prominent factors influencing IPV in the informal settlements of Kibera. IPV exacerbated the effects of pre-existing medical conditions and had a detrimental effect on the sexual reproductive health of women particularly those who had been raped, leading to physical injuries, contracting sexually transmitted diseases or, in some cases, losing their unborn babies owing to miscarriages stemming from IPV. The findings underscore the fact that multiple factors intersecting in the personal, interpersonal, situational, and socio-cultural spheres feed interpersonal violence and IPV. The recommendations stress the need to draft, implement and exercise oversight over policies that seek to end IPV in the informal settlement. Advancing practical, all-inclusive mechanisms remains a formidable challenge.Ubundlobongela phakathi kwabathandanayo (IPV) yingxaki ephambili ethintela uphuhliso lwezoqoqosho nentlalo yabasetyhini eAfrika. Ukuqonda izizathu zobu bundlobongela akuthanga ngqo kwaye oku kuye kwaba neziphumo zochaphazeleko ekusebenzeni nasekoyiseni kwezicwangcisoqhinga ezenzelwe ukujongana neIPV. I-IPV iya isiba ngumqobo obonakalayo kuphuhliso ngenxa yeendleko zayo ezinobunzima kwezobuqu, ezoqoqosho, ezentlalo kunye nezopolitiko. Injongo ephambili yolu phando ibikukuhlalutya i-IPV nanjengoko iqhubeka kubomi babo basetyhini abahlala kwiindawo zokuhlala zasedolophini ezingekho mthethweni zaseKibera, eNairobi, eKenya, kunye nokuchaza indlela i-IPV ebabumba ngayo aba basetyhini. Umphandi ebefuna ukuphuhlisa ukuqonda okunzulu kweIPV ngokwembono esekelwe kwithiyori yohlalutyomeko yezophuhliso ngokwesini nebala, ngaloo ndlela esandisa ukuqonda kwethiyori yale ngcamango. Kolu phando kusetyenziswe uyilo lophandontyilazwi oluchazayo. Kukwasetyenziswe indlela yokukhetha igcuntswana ledatha yezigaba ezininzi (multi-stage sampling) – eye yabandakanya ukukhetha igcuntswana ledatha ngokungabophelelekanga (simple random sampling), ukukhetha igcuntswana ledatha ngenjongo (purposive sampling) kunye nokukhetha igcuntswana ledatha ngokuncedwa leloo gcuntswana ledatha elisele likho (snowball sampling). Ngabasetyhini abangama50 bebonke abaye babangamaxhoba eIPV kunye ne10 labantu abaphambili abanolwazi ngesi sihloko abathe bathatha inxaxheba kolu phando. Iziphumo zibonisa ukuba i-IPV ivele ngokwempathombi ngokomzimba kunye nendlela yokuziphatha yokunyanzela okanye yokulawula ebangele ukonzakala komzimba, ngokwesondo okanye kwengqondo. Ubundlobongela ngokwezoqoqosho abukhankanywanga njengohlobo lweIPV; nto nje, bukhankanywe njengesizathu kunye nomba wokuba lixhoba leIPV. Udliwanondlebe lubonise ukuba ukusetyenziswa kakubi kotywala neziyobisi, ukufikelela nolawulo lwezibonelelo zasekhaya kunye nezithethe neenqobo zobusolusapho anazo amadoda zibe zezona zinto zibalaseleyo ezichaphazela i-IPV kwiindawo zokuhlala zasezidolophini ezingekhosemthetweni, zaseKibera. I-IPV izenza zibembi kakhulu iziphumo zeemeko zonyango ebezihleli zikho kwaye ibe nefuthe elibi kwimpilo yokuzala yabasetyhini, ngakumbi abo abakhe badlwengulwa ngaphambili, nto leyo ekhokelela ekonzakaleni emzimbeni, ukufumana izifo ezisulela ngokwabelana ngesondo okanye, kwezinye iimeko, ukulahlekelwa ziintsana zabo ezingekazalwa ngenxa yokuphuncuka kwesisu okusisiphumo seIPV. Iziphumo zigxininisa into yokuba imiba emininzi enqamleza kwimimandla yobuqu, yobudlelwana phakathi kwabantu, yemeko kunye nenkcubeko yezentlalo yiyo ephumela kubundlobongela obuphakathi kubudlelwana babantu kunye neIPV. Izindululo zolu phando zigxininisa imfuneko yokuqulunqa, ukufezekisa nokusebenzisa ulongamelo kulawulo lwemigaqonkqubo injongo yayo ikukuphelisa i-IPV kwindawo yamatyotyombe. Kuhlala kungumngeni omkhulu ukuqhubela phambili iindlela ezisebenzayo, ezibandakanya konke.Udlame Phakathi Kwabathandanayo (IPV) yinkinga esemqoka ebeka umkhawulo ekuthuthukisweni komnotho nenhlalo yabantu besifazane e-Afrika. Ukuqonda izimbangela akuqondile futhi lokhu kube nomthelela omubi ekusebenzeni kahle nasekuqineni kwamasu okuhloselwe ukubhekana ne-IPV. I-IPV isiba yisithiyo esikhulu entuthukweni ngenxa yezindleko zayo ezinkulu, ezomnotho, ezenhlalo nezombusazwe. Inhloso enkulu yalolu cwaningo bekuwukuhlaziya i-IPV njengoba iqhubeka ezimpilweni zabesifazane abahlala emadolobheni, emijondolo yaseKibera, eNairobi, eKenya kanye nokuchaza ukuthi ikubumba kanjani ukuthuthuka kwabo. Umcwaningi ufune ukuthuthukisa ukuqonda okujulile kwe-IPV ngombono ohlola ukusebenzelana komphakathi, ngaleyo ndlela andisa ukuqonda kombono kwalesi simo. Kusetshenziswe umklamo wocwaningo oluchazayo. Ukusampula kwezigaba eziningi - okuhlanganisa ukusampula okungahleliwe, ukusampula okuhlosiwe kanye nokusampula okusekelwe esahlulelweni somcwaningi kwamukelwe. Isamba sabesifazane abangama-50 ababehlaselwe yi-IPV kanye nezimpimpi eziyisi-10 ezibambe iqhaza ocwaningweni. Okutholakele kubonisa ukuthi i-IPV yathatha uhlobo lokushaya ngokomzimba kanye nokuziphatha okuphoqayo noma okukhohlisayo okuholela ekulimaleni ngokomzimba, ngokocansi noma kwengqondo. Udlame lwezomnotho alukashiwo njengohlobo lwe-IPV; kunalokho, kucashunwe njengembangela kanye nesici esicatshangelwayo se-IPV. Izingxoxo ziveze ukuthi ukusetshenziswa kabi kotshwala nezidakamizwa, ukufinyelela kanye nokulawulwa kwezinsiza zasekhaya kanye nezinkambiso nezimiso zombono womphakathi ekubuseni kwabesilisa kwakuyizinto ezigqame kakhulu ezinomthelela we-IPV emijondolo yaseKibera. I-IPV yenze yaba mibi kakhulu imiphumela yezimo zezokwelapha ezazivele zikhona futhi yaba nomthelela omubi empilweni yokuzala yabesifazane, ikakhulukazi labo abadlwenguliwe, okuholela ekulimaleni ngokomzimba, ekungenweni izifo ezithathelwana ngocansi noma, kwezinye izimo, ukulahlekelwa yizingane zabo ezingakazalwa ngenxa yokuphuphuma kwezisu okuvela ku-IPV. Okutholakele kugcizelela iqiniso lokuthi izici eziningi eziphambanayo kumkhakha womuntu siqu, wokusebenzelana nabantu, wesimo kanye nowezenhlalo namasiko zithelela udlame phakathi kwabantu kanye ne-IPV. Iziphakamiso zigcizelela isidingo sokwenza uhlaka, ukuqalisa nokusebenzisa ukwengamela izinqubomgomo ezifuna ukuqeda i-IPV emijondolo. Ukuqhubekela phambili kwezindlela ezisebenzayo, ezibandakanya konke kuseyinselelo enkulu.Ph.D. (Development Studies)Development Studie
System dynamics approach for digital transformation and complex policy design for the postal sector in Southern Africa
Get PDFThe key motivation of the study was to explore and enlarge understanding of the factors that inhibit and drive the performance of the postal sector in a dynamic setting in the context of Southern Africa. This study was prompted by the unsatisfactory performance of the postal sector in Southern Africa as measured by the Integrated Index on Postal Development (2IPD) an index used by the Universal Postal Union to measure the performance of Posts across the globe on dimensions of reliability, resilience, reach, and relevance. Postal operators across the world are faced with inescapable business model disruptions steered by the digital era, and Southern Africa is not an exception. The dawn of the digital age presents both prospects and threats to business models of the industrial age as digitalisation has resulted in a sustained decline of mail volumes as the core business of the postal service for the past 100 years. The substitution of traditional physical mail with electronic alternatives has been a threat that has unsettled the postal service for over two decades. However, the arrival of the digital age has quickened the decline of mail volumes at an unprecedented speed as the digital age diffuses to almost all sectors of society and the digital economy becomes the preferred platform for conducting business.
A constructivist philosophical worldview, an inductive research approach, a Grounded Theory research strategy, and a qualitative methodological choice were adopted for the first phase of the research which was to identify the inhibitors and drivers that are prevalent in the postal sector. System dynamics was adopted as a modelling and simulation approach for the second phase of the research and aimed to conceptualise the interaction of the variables extracted from the insights gained from literature through a Grounded Theory research strategy. The ten dimensions that arose from the exploratory study were digital culture, adoption, customer insights, digital investments, digital ecosystem, operational efficiency/excellence, shared vision, digital capabilities, digital competitiveness, and diverging interests. These dimensions were further synthesized during the development of the system dynamics model, four key stocks emerged that are prevalent in managing digital transformation in the postal sector.
The four key stocks (variables) that emerged were adoption, digital culture, operations capability maturity, and financial performance. The system dynamics approach revealed that the postal sector can be described as a complex phenomenon due to intricate interdependent variables that interact in a dynamic setting. The complex nature of the postal sector is further amplified by multiple feedback systems of non-linear relations. The results of the study point to the complex interaction of these variables that inhibit and drive the digital transformation and competitiveness of the postal sector. It is by grasping these complexities that decision-makers and policymakers could pull the levers revealed by this research to direct the postal sector toward a sustainable future.
The system dynamic model (stocks and flows) was developed and validated with postal industry experts, and the verification and validation processes confirmed that the model outcomes are reliable and reflect the reality of the dynamics prevalent in the sector. The results indicate that the factors that inhibit postal development and sustainability of the sector include poor digital culture, poor adoption of the Universal Postal Union digital ecosystem, and underperforming operations capability and this leads to poor financial performance and unsustainability of the sector in Southern Africa and many developing countries globally.
Different policy design and analysis scenarios were evaluated, and the outcomes of the policy design and analysis revealed that there are vital levers that administrators and policymakers could pull to improve the financial performance and overall competitiveness of the postal sector. The levers include but are not limited to factors such as digital financial payment services offered, support services offered, ePost and eGov services offered, e-commerce services offered, change of Chief Executive Officers in 10 years, unavailability of Enterprise Architecture blueprint, number of staff who attended Train-post courses, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) index, e-Government index, marketing effectiveness, adoption fraction, contact rate, drop out of adopters rate, non-compliance to electronic advance data, compliance to quality of service, operational expenses, rural population, universal service obligation paid, universal service obligation shortfall and other factors.
The study presents a scientific and systemic approach to improve operations capability maturity as measured through the Integrated Index on Postal Development (2IPD) and the financial performance of the postal sector in Southern Africa. The novelty of the new body of knowledge lies in the mathematical equations developed and their application through simulation and scenario analysis to develop a robust solution to improve the business model of the postal sector in Southern Africa through the adoption of a digital transformation agenda and complex policy design. It is noteworthy to point out that the study confirmed the systems thinking principle that “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts”. This was evident in the results when the stocks were improved as stand-alone compared to when the improved stand-alone stocks interacted with each other in a dynamic setting. All stocks exhibited solid improvements when stand-alone scenarios were allowed to interact with each other in a dynamic setting.D. Phil. (Industrial Engineering)College of Engineering, Science and Technolog