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Exploring quality standards implementation at a South African municipality’s health facilities
No full textBackground: Despite government initiatives to ensure the delivery of safe and high-quality
care in health establishments, most health establishments in the City of Tshwane
Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa were non-compliant with the National Core
Standards. This study explored the experiences of quality assurance managers regarding
quality standards implementation in these establishments.
Objectives: This study aimed to explore and describe factors affecting the implementation of
quality standards at public health facilities based on quality assurance managers’ lived
experiences in the research setting.
Method: This qualitative study used phenomenological design by conducting individual in depth interviews with nine purposively selected quality assurance managers in 2021. The
collected data were analysed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis framework.
Results: The study’s findings revealed that the legislative framework and the policy
environment were motivators for quality standard compliance among the participants.
Furthermore, human resources, materials-related issues and poor infrastructure were found to
be barriers to the implementation of quality standards in health facilities.
Conclusion: The explored and described barriers must be addressed to improve compliance
with the National Core Standards at public health facilities in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan
Municipality. In addition, capacity-building for quality assurance managers should be ongoing
to ensure the highest quality implementation standards and to strengthen the enforcement of
quality standard regulations.
Contribution: The study’s findings explored and described the factors that influence the
implementation of quality standards. Addressing these factors could improve the quality of
healthcare delivery in the research setting’s health facilities.
Keywords: experience; health facilities; quality assurance; quality assurance manager; quality
standards; compliance; healthcare; South Africa.College of Human Science
Public trust in the auditors’ work and the prevailing macroeconomic conditions
No full textThis paper aims to explore whether the audit profession is impacted by global economic growth, how, and to what extent. In that manner, the study paper explores the interrelationship between the public trust in the auditors’ work and the prevailing macroeconomic conditions. For the applied research methodology, the proportion of audit company revenue, for the period from 2005 through 2022, derived from audit services and non-audit services, is used as a proxy to measure ‘the public trust in the auditors’ work’ and ‘the audit expectation gap’. These resultants are multiplied to calculate the ‘public interest’, which is juxtaposed against the global gross domestic product growth for the same period, to support the conceptual assertion that the public interest follows the current trends in the global economy. The study finds that public interest is directly related to the public trust in the auditors’ work. In this view, enhanced demand for audit services implies an increased public trust in the auditors’ work. The higher the demand for audit services, the bigger the public trust in the auditors’ work. The function of the audit expectation gap implies the general public to obtain a bigger scope of data and information regarding the operational activity of the auditees. The audit profession is connected with global economic growth through the public interest. This is because public interest follows the current trends in the global economy. The higher economic growth is accompanied by bigger public interest. In this regard, bigger public interest implies a bigger demand for audit services which in turn increases the public trust in the auditors’ work. This paper which uses the public interest as an indicator for global economic growth, contributes to understanding the relationship between the audit profession and prevailing macroeconomic conditions.Auditin
A staff retention model for state-owned enterprises in South Africa
No full textAbstracts in English, Afrikaans, SothoThe aim of this quantitative study was to develop a model of staff retention for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in South Africa. The literature review phase explored the concept of staff retention, the measurement of staff retention, and the evaluation of existing models and frameworks of staff retention to determine their applicability to SOEs in South Africa.
The literature review indicated that staff retention can be defined as the organisation’s effort to retain required, high-performing, momentously skilled, and talented employees with the purpose of achieving organisational strategic objectives and goals. It also indicated that staff retention can be accurately measured by the use of existing reliable and valid instruments, although it is difficult to find one comprehensive instrument that measures all possible factors associated with staff retention. Thus, the common practice is to use various existing instruments in combination to measure the factors separately that contribute to staff retention. The literature review also revealed that various staff retention models and frameworks exist that can be used to better understand staff retention. The literature also emphasised that any model of staff retention that is utilised or developed should be organisation context-specific, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Based on the literature review, a new theoretical model of staff retention for SOEs in South Africa was proposed. The proposed theoretical model included five biographical factors, namely (1) gender, (2) age, (3) educational qualifications, (4) tenure, and (5) job grade, as well as 12 organisational factors, namely, (1) compensation and benefits, (2) job characteristics, (3) training and development, (4) supervisory support, (5) career growth and development, (6) work-life balance, (7) employee engagement, (8) organisational support, (9) ethical leadership, (10) job satisfaction, (11) meaningful work, and (12) organisational culture. These five biographical factors and 12 organisational factors were the most globally researched and indicated an empirical relationship with staff retention, which was operationalised as intention to leave and which was used to measure staff retention. During the empirical phase of the study a survey was conducted within a South African SOE (n = 685) and the results of the survey were subjected to Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with the aim of determining whether the hypothesized theoretical model fitted the collected data.
The SEM process subsequently identified three statistically significant staff retention factors that could be used to ensure the retention of staff in South African SOEs, namely, (1) organisational culture, (2) compensation and benefits, and (3) training and development. A hierarchical moderator regression analysis (HMRA) was then conducted to determine whether the biographical variables of gender, age, educational qualifications, tenure, and job grade statistically significantly moderated the relationship between the staff retention factors (independent variables) and intention to leave (the dependent variable). The analysis indicated that the five biographical variables had no statistically significant effect on the relationship between the staff retention factors and intent to leave in a South African SOE. It was consequently recommended that SOEs in South Africa could use the above-mentioned three-factor validated model of staff retention to manage staff retention and that the model does not have to be adapted to account for the impact of gender, age, educational qualifications, tenure, and job grade on intent to leave the organisation.Die doel van hierdie kwantitatiewe studie was om ’n model vir werknemerbehoud vir ondernemings in staatsbesit (OSB) in Suid-Afrika te ontwikkel. Die literatuuroorsigfase het die begrip werknemerbehoud, die meting van werknemerbehoud en die evaluering van bestaande modelle en raamwerke van werknemerbehoud ondersoek ten einde hulle toepaslikheid vir ondernemings in staatsbesit in Suid-Afrika te bepaal.
Volgens die literatuuroorsig kan werknemerbehoud omskryf word as die organisasie se poging om benodigde, hoë presterende, betekenis-volgeskoolde en talentvolle werknemers te behou, ten einde organisatories-strategiese oogmerke en doelwitte te behaal. Dit het ook aangetoon dat werknemerbehoud akkuraat gemeet kan word deur van bestaande, betroubare en geldige instrumente gebruik te maak, hoewel dit moeilik is om een omvattende instrument te kry wat al die moontlike faktore wat met werknemerbehoud geassosieer word, te kan meet. Die algemene praktyk is derhalwe om verskillende bestaande instrumente in kombinasie te gebruik om die faktore wat tot werknemerbehoud bydra, individueel te meet. Die literatuuroorsig het ook bevind dat verskeie werknemerbehoudsmodelle en -raamwerke bestaan wat gebruik kan word om werknemerbehoud beter te verstaan. Die literatuur het ook uitgewys dat enige model van werknemerbehoud wat gebruik of ontwikkel word, organisasie-inhoudspesifiek moet wees omdat daar geen een-grootte-pas-almal-benadering is nie.
'n Nuwe teoretiese model van werknemerbehoud vir ondernemings in staatsbesit in Suid-Afrika, wat op die literatuuroorsig gegrond is, word voorgestel. Die voorgestelde teoretiese model sluit vyf biografies faktore in, naamlik: (1) geslag, (2) ouderdom, (3) onderwyskwalifikasies, (4) dienstyd, en (5) posgradering; asook 12 organisatoriese faktore, naamlik: (1) vergoeding en voordele, (2) werkseienskappe, (3) opleiding en ontwikkeling, (4) toesighoudende ondersteuning, (5) loopbaanopgang en -ontwikkeling, (6) werk-lewe-balans, (6) werknemerbetrokkenheid, (8) organisatoriese ondersteuning, (9) etiese leierskap, (10) werkbevrediging, (11) betekenisvolle werk, en (12) organisasiekultuur. Hierdie vyf biografiese en 12 organisatoriese faktore is die faktore wat wêreldwyd die meeste nagevors is en ’n empiriese verwantskap met werknemerbehoud toon, wat geoperasionaliseer is as die voorneme om die werkplek te verlaat en wat gebruik is om werknemerbehoud te meet. Gedurende die empiriese fase van die studie is ’n ondersoek in ’n Suid-Afrikaanse onderneming in staatsbesit (n = 685) van stapel gestuur en die resultate van die ondersoek is aan strukturele gelykstellingsmodellering onderwerp met die doel om vas te stel of die veronderstelde teoretiese model by die ingesamelde data pas.
Die strukturele gelykstellingsmodelleringsproses het daarna drie statisties betekenisvolle werknemerbehoudsfaktore geïdentifiseer wat gebruik kan word om die behoud van personeel in Suid-Afrikaanse ondernemings in staatsbesit te verseker, naamlik: (1) organisasiekultuur, (2) vergoeding en voordele, en (3) opleiding en ontwikkeling. ’n Hiërargiese moderatorregressie-analise (HMRA) is hierna gedoen om vas te stel of die biografiese veranderlikes van geslag, ouderdom, onderwyskwalifikasies, dienstyd, en posgradering statisties betekenisvol die verwantskap tussen werknemerbehoudsfaktore (onafhanklike veranderlikes) en die voorneme om weg te gaan (die afhanklike veranderlike) modereer. Die ontleding het aangetoon dat die vyf biografiese veranderlikes geen statisties betekenisvolle uitwerking op die verwantskap tussen die werknemerbehoudsfaktore en die voorneme om weg te gaan in ’n Suid-Afrikaanse onderneming in staatsbesit gehad het nie. Daar word derhalwe aanbeveel dat ondernemings in staatsbesit in Suid-Afrika die bogenoemde driefaktor- geldigverklaardemodel van werknemerbehoud gebruik om werknemerbehoud te bestuur en dat die model nie aangepas hoef te word om die invloed van geslag, ouderdom, onderwyskwalifikasies, dienstyd en posgradering op die voorneme om die organisasie te verlaat, te verantwoord nie.Maikemišetšo a nyakišišo ye ya khwalithethifi e be e le go tšweletša mmotlolo wa tshwarelelo ya bašomi wa dikgwebo tša mmušo (di-SOE) ka Afrika Borwa. Kgato ya tshekatsheko ya dingwalo e lekotše kgopolo ya tshwarelelo ya bašomi, kelo ya tshwarelelo ya bašomi, le tekolo ya dika tše di lego gona le diforeimiweke tša tshwarelelo ya bašomi go laetša go šoma ga tšona go di-SOE ka Afrika Borwa.
Tshekatsheko ya dingwalo e laeditše gore tshwarelelo ya bašomi e ka hlalošwa bjalo ka maitapišo a mokgatlo a go swarelela bašomi bao ba nyakegago, bao ba šomago gabotse, bao ba nago le bokgoni bjo bo bohlokwa, le bao ba nago le bokgoni bja go nepiša go phihlelelo ya maikemišetšo le dinepo tša maano a mokgatlo. E laeditše gape gore tshwarelelo ya bašomi e ka elwa gabotse ka tšhomišo ya didirišwa tše di lego gona le tša mmakgonthe, le ge e le gore go thata go hwetša sedirišwa se tee sa kakaretšo seo se elago mabaka ka moka ao a kgonegago ao a amanago le tshwarelelo ya bašomi. Ka go realo, mokgwa wa tlwaelo ke wa go šomiša didirišwa tša go fapana tše di lego gona ka go di kopanya go ela ka thoko mabaka ao a tsenyago letsogo tshwarelelong ya bašomi. Tshekatsheko ya dingwalo e utollotše gape gore dika tša go fapafapana tša tshwarelelo ya bašomi le diforeimiweke di gona tšeo di ka šomišwago go kwešiša bokaone tshwarelelo ya bašomi. Dingwalo gape di gateletše gore mmotlolo ofe goba ofe wa tshwarelelo ya bašomi wo o šomišwago goba o tšweletšwago o swanetše go ba wo o lebanego le seemo sa mokgatlo, ka ge go se na mokgwa wa kakaretšo ya tšohle.
Go ya ka tshekatsheko ya dingwalo, go šišintšwe mmotlolo wo moswa wa teori ya tshwarelelo ya bašomi wa di-SOE ka Afrika Borwa. Mmotlolo wa teori wo o šišintšwego o be o akaretša dintlha tše tlhano tša taodišophelo, e lego (1) bong, (2) mengwaga, (3) mangwalo a thuto, (4) lebaka la mošomo le (5) maemo a mošomo, gammogo le dintlha tše 12 tša mokgatlo, (1) phumulameokgo le dikholego, (2) dimelo tša mošomo, (3) tlhahlo le tlhabollo, (4) thekgo ya bohlokomedi, (5) kgolo ya mošomo le tlhabollo,(6) tekatekano ya mošomo le bophelo, (7) thwalo ya bašomi, (8) thekgo ya mokgatlo,(9) boetapele bja maitshwaro, (10) kgotsofalo ya mošomo, (11) mošomo wo bohlokwa le (12) setšo sa mokgatlo. Dintlha tše tše tlhano tša taodišophelo le dintlha tše 12 tša mokgatlo e bile tšeo di nyakišišitšwego kudu lefaseng ka bophara le go laetša kamano ya diphihlelelo le tshwarelelo ya bašomi, yeo e šomišitšwego bjalo ka maikemišetšo a go tloga le yeo e šomišitšwego go ela tshwarelelo ya bašomi. Nakong ya kgato ya iphirikhale ya nyakišišo, nyakišišo e dirilwe ka gare ga SOE ya Afrika Borwa (n = 685) gomme dipoelo tša nyakišišo di ile tša dirwa ka fase ga Tshekatsheko ya Kamano ya Dibopego (Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)), ka maikemišetšo a go bona ge eba mmotlolo wa teori wo o akantšwego o swanetše datha ye e kgobokeditšwego.
Ka morago ga moo tshepetšo ya SEM e laeditše mabaka a mararo a bohlokwa a dipalopalo a tshwarelelo ya bašomi ao a ka šomišwago go kgonthiša tshwarelelo ya bašomi ka di-SOE tša Afrika Borwa, e lego, (1) setšo sa mokgatlo, (2) phumulameokgo le dikholego, le (3) tlhahlo le tlhabollo. Tshekatsheko le kamano ya khuetšo ya tatelano (hierarchical moderator regression and analysis (HMRA)) e dirilwe morago go bona ge eba diphetogo tša taodišophelo ya bong, mengwaga, mangwalo a thuto, nako ya mošomo, le maemo a mošomo ka dipalopalo di lekanyeditše kudu kamano gare ga mabaka a tshwarelelo ya bašomi (diphetogo tše di ikemetšego) le maikemišetšo a go tloga (phetogo ye e sego ya ikemela). Tshekatsheko e laeditše gore diphetogo tše tlhano tša taodišophelo ga se tša ba le khuetšo ye bohlokwa ya dipalopalo go kamano gare ga mabaka a tshwarelelo ya bašomi le maikemišetšo a go tloga mo go SOE ya Afrika Borwa. Mafelelong go šišintšwe gore di-SOE ka Afrika Borwa di ka šomiša mmotlolo wo o boletšwego ka mo godimo wo o kgonthišitšwego ka mabaka a mararo a tshwarelelo ya bašomi go laola go swarelela bašomi le gore mmotlolo ga o hloke go fetošwa go ikarabela ka khuetšo ya bong, mengwaga, mangwalo a thuto, lebaka la mošomo, le maemo a mošomo ka maikemišetšo a go tlogela mokgatlo.Ph. D. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)Industrial and Organisational Psycholog
The effects of Yoga Nidra on the cardiovascular system of pregnant women
No full textText in English, abstract in English, Afrikaans and ZuluBackground: Pregnancy involves cardiovascular alterations that include changes in cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, blood volume, stroke volume, heart rate (HR) and heart size and blood pressure (BP). The cardiovascular system is altered as a natural response to the increased metabolic demands of pregnancy, especially in relation to BP and HR. Abnormal alterations within the cardiovascular system during pregnancy may put a pregnant woman at risk for developing cardiovascular complications during pregnancy. These complications can include preeclampsia, eclampsia, and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (to name a few). In many cases, the maternal stressors that are uniquely associated with pregnancy can put further strain on the maternal cardiovascular system. Yoga nidra is an in-depth relaxation technique with promising therapeutic benefits for the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a single 15-minute yoga nidra practice on the systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure (BP) and the heart rate (HR) of pregnant women when compared with baseline and passive relaxation measurements (sitting).
Methods: A total of 31 pregnant volunteers (> 13 weeks gestation) were recruited through non-probability sampling in the Tshwane and Johannesburg regions of Gauteng, South Africa. An experimental pre-test, post-test study design was used to observe the effects of yoga nidra on the cardiovascular system of pregnant women. BP and HR measurements were obtained using an OMRON HEM-7280T-E blood pressure monitor at baseline, after 15 minutes of sitting (passive relaxation) and after 15 minutes of yoga nidra (active relaxation), with a 15-minute washout period between sitting and yoga nidra (normal activity and walking). Data were analysed using dependent t-tests and repeated measures analyses of variance (RM-ANOVA). Results: Dependent t-test results showed reductions in SBP (103.8 mmHg vs 101.2 mmHg, p = 0.003) and HR (79.6 bpm vs 75.0 bpm, p < 0.001) post-yoga nidra, while reductions in SBP (103.8 mmHg vs 101.7 mmHg, p = 0.006) and DBP (68.3 mmHg vs 66.4 mmHg, p = 0.014) were observed post-sitting. When comparing post-yoga nidra and post-sitting results, DBP and SBP showed no differences, while HR were lower post-yoga nidra (75.0 bpm) than post-sitting (79.0 bpm) (p < 0.001). Further investigation through RM-ANOVA revealed that yoga nidra had a significant effect on the HR (p = 0.002) of women who were in the third trimester of pregnancy. The mean HR after yoga nidra was 72.6 bpm (95% CI 65.97, 79.19) among women in the second trimester and 76.5 bpm, 95% CI (70.69, 82.36) among women in the third trimester.
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a significant reduction in HR post-yoga nidra when compared with the post-sitting and baseline measurements of pregnant women, more specifically, women in the third trimester of pregnancy. This lowered HR, which was not observed post-sitting, may indicate parasympathetic activation after yoga nidra. Essentially, the results of this study indicate that yoga nidra could be recommended during the third trimester of pregnancy to assist in lowering HR during the final stages of pregnancy.Agtergrond: Swangerskap behels kardiovaskulêre veranderinge, en in baie gevalle, moederlike stres. Joga nidra is 'n diepgaande ontspanningstegniek met belowende terapeutiese voordele. Die doel van die studie was om die uitwerking van 'n enkele 15-minute joga nidra-sessie op die sistoliese (SBD) en diastoliese bloeddruk (DBD) en hartkloptempo (HK) van swanger vroue te ondersoek wanneer dit met die basislyn en passiewe meting (sit) vergelyk word.
Metodes: 'n Totaal van 31 swanger vrywilligers (>13 weke swanger) is gewerf deur 'n niewaarskynlikheidsteekproefneming in die Tshwane- en Johannesburg-streke van Gauteng, Suid-Afrika. 'n Eksperimentele voortoets, natoets-studie-ontwerp is gebruik om die uitwerking van joga nidra op die kardiovaskulêre stelsel van swanger vroue waar te neem. BD- en HK-metings is geneem deur die OMRON HEM-7280T-E-bloeddrukmonitor by basislyn; na 15 minute van sit (passiewe ontspanning) en na 15 minute van joga nidra (aktiewe ontspanning), met 'n 15-minuut-uitspoelperiode tussen sit en joga nidra (normale aktiwiteit en stap). Data is deur afhanklike t-toetse en herhaalde metingontleding van afwykings (RM-ANOVA) ontleed.
Resultate: Afhanklike t-toetse van basislyn in vergelyking met beide intervensies toon verlaging in SBD (103.8 mmHg vs 101.2 mmHg, p = 0.003) en HK (79.6 bpm vs 75.0 bpm, p < 0.001) na-joga nidra, terwyl verlagings in SBD (103.8 mmHg vs 101.7 mmHg, p = 0.006) en DBD (68.3 mmHg vs 66.4 mmHg, p = 0.014) tydens na-sit waargeneem is. By vergelyking van na-joga nidra en na-sit-resultate het BDD en SBD geen verskille getoon nie, terwyl HK laer was na joga nidra (75.0 bpm) as na sit (79.0 bpm) (p < 0.001). Verdere ondersoek deur RM-ANOVA het getoon dat joga nidra 'n beduidende uitwerking op die HK (p = 0.002) gehad het van vrou in die derde trimester van swangerskap. Die gemiddelde HK na joga nidra was 72.6 bpm, 95% CI [65.97, 79.19] onder vroue in die tweede trimester en 76.5 bpm, (95% CI 70.69, 82.36) onder vroue in die derde trimester.
Samevatting: Die bevindings toon 'n beduidende verlaging in HK na joga nidra in vergelyking met na-sit en basislynmeting van swanger vroue, meer spesifiek, vroue in die derde trimester van swangerskap. Hierdie laer HK, wat nie na-sit waargeneem is nie, dui moontlik op parasimpatiese aktivering na joga nidra. Die resultate van hierdie studie toon dat joga nidra tydens die derde trimester van swangerskap aanbeveel moet word om HK tydens die finale stadiums van swangerskap te verlaag.Isendlalelo: Ukukhulelwa kufaka phakathi ukuguqulwa kwenhliziyo nemithambo yegazi futhi, ezimweni eziningi, ukucindezeleka komama. I-Yoga nidra iyindlela yokuphumula ejulile enezinzuzo ezithembisayo zokwelapha. Inhloso yalolu cwaningo bekuwukuphenya imiphumela yomkhuba owodwa wemizuzu eyi-15 ye-yoga nidra kusistolikhi kanye nedayastokhi umfutho ophezulu wegazi kanye nesilinganiso senhliziyo sabesifazane abakhulelwe uma kuqhathaniswa nesisekelo kanye nezilinganiso zokuphumula ezingenzi lutho (uhlezi).
Izindlela: Ithothali yamavolontiya akhulelwe angama-31 (> amasonto ayi-13 okukhulelwa) abuthwa ngamasampula okungewona amathuba esifundeni saseTshwane naseGoli eGauteng, eNingizimu Afrika. Umklamo wokuhlola wangaphambi kokuhlolwa, wangemuva kokuhlolwa wasetshenziselwa ukubuka imiphumela ye-yoga nidra ohlelweni lwenhliziyo nemithambo yegazi yabesifazane abakhulelwe. Izilinganiso zomfutho ophezulu wegazi nesilinganiso senhliziyo zitholwe kusetshenziswa i-OMRON HEM-7280T-E yokuqapha umfutho wegazi ekuqaleni; ngemuva kwemizuzu eyi-15 uhlezi (ukuphumula kancane) nangemuva kwemizuzu eyi-15 ye-yoga nidra (ukuphumula okusebenzayo), nenkathi yokugeza eyimizuzu eyi-15 phakathi kokuhlala kanye ne-yoga nidra (umsebenzi ovamile nokuhamba). Idatha yahlaziywa kusetshenziswa ukuhlola kuka-t okuncike kanye nokuhlaziywa kwezinyathelo eziphindaphindiwe zokuhluka (RM-ANOVA).
Imiphumela: Imiphumela yokuhlolwa kwe-t encikile kusukela kuyisisekelo uma kuqhathaniswa nakho kokubili ukungenelela ibonise ukuncipha kwe-SBP (103.8 mmHg vs 101.2 mmHg, p = 0.003) kanye nesilinganiso senhliziyo (79.6 bpm vs 75.0 bpm, p <0.001) yoga nidra-yangemuva, kuyilapho ukuncipha kweSolikhi (103.8 mmHg vs 101.7 mmHg, p = 0.006) kanye nedayastolikhi (68.3 mmHg vs 66.4 mmHg, p = 0.014) kubhekwe ngemuva kokuhlala. Uma kuqhathaniswa nemiphumela ye-yoga nidra yangemuva kanye nokuhlala kwangemuva, i-DBP ne-SBP ayizange ibonise umehluko ngenkathi isilingangiso senhliziyo sasingaphansi kwe-yoga nidra ngengemuva (75.0 bpm) kunokuhlala kwangemuva (79.0 bpm) (p < 0.001). Uphenyo olwengeziwe nge-RM-ANOVA luveze ukuthi i-yoga nidra ibe nomthelela omkhulu kuyisilinganiso senhliziyo (p = 0.002) yabesifazane ababe kuyitrayisimista yesithathu yokukhulelwa. Isilinganiso senhliziyo ngemuva kwe-yoga nidra sasinga-72.6 bpm, (95% CI 65.97, 79.19) phakathi kwabesifazane kutrayisimista yesibili kanye no-76.5 bpm, (95% CI 70.69, 82.36) phakathi kwabesifazane ku-trayisimista yesithathu.
Isiphetho: Okutholakele kukhombisa ukuncipha okukhulu kwe-silinganso senhliziyo kuyi-yoga nidra yangemuva uma kuqhathaniswa nezilinganiso zangemuva kokuhlala kanye nesisekelo sabesifazane abakhulelwe, ikakhulukazi, abesifazane ku-trayisimista yesithathu yokukhulelwa. Lokhu kwehlise isilinganiso senhliziyo, engazange ibonwe ngemuva kokuhlala, kukhombisa ukusebenza kwekomuzwa ongagcwele ngemuva kwe-yoga nidra. Empeleni, imiphumela yalolu cwaningo ikhombisa ukuthi i-yoga nidra inganconywa ngesikhathi setrayisimista yesithathu yokukhulelwa ukusiza ekwehliseni iSilinganiso Senhliziyo phakathi nezigaba zokugcina zokukhulelwa.M. Sc. (Life Sciences)Life and Consumer Science
Rural non-farm activities in South Africa
Get PDFRural poverty, underemployment and labour migration have continued to increase in
recent years, reinforcing the importance of non-farm economic activities for rural
households. Rural non-farm activities are an important source of employment and
income for poor and landless women and farmers. In the rural economies of most
developing countries, rural non-farm employment accounts for a significant share of
total employment. In addition, rural non-farm activities account about 35-50% of rural
incomes in developing countries. The main objective of the study is to examine the
salient features of the rural non-farm sector in South Africa in terms of geographical
locality, employment trends, gender, age and education characteristics therein, as well
as recommend appropriate policy options. The study focuses only on one aspect of
rural non-farm activities, namely, informal sector activities. The study is descriptive in
nature and uses data for the period 2008-2019. Informal activities (non-agricultural) in
South Africa grew by twelve per cent over an eleven year period. This demonstrates
the need for policy makers to use rural development to provide a platform for the
prosperity of the rural non-farm sector. Therefore, the promotion of these types of
enterprises will help increase rural employment and incomes.M. Com (Economics)Economic
Marketing and use of electronic library resource to students in technical universities in Ghana
No full textThe low utilisation of e-resources from accessible databases among students in Ghanaian technical universities (TUs) is an issue of concern for library management. Effective marketing strategies are seen as a promising solution to address the challenges posed by this limited usage of e-resources. This study aimed to explore and investigate marketing techniques that can promote the utilisation of e-resources offered by TU libraries to deserving students, thereby maximising the attainment of the intended goals. The study was underpinned by the pragmatic paradigm, where a concurrent triangulation mixed-methods design was used for the study. Data was gathered through surveys and interviews from a total sample of 727, involving 706 survey respondents and 21 interview participants. The survey data was analysed using Statistical Product and Services Solution (SPSS), version 26, and smartPLS 4 structural equation modelling of latent variables. The interview findings were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed causes of the low students’ usage of e-resources in libraries. Key among them is a lack of awareness, a lack of market, poor searching techniques, and inadequate computer devices for users. The most common methods of marketing the resources were informal and conventional marketing practices among the libraries, which are primarily print-based channels and freshman orientations. Factors that influenced the students' behavioural intentions to use the resources are marketing, awareness, the user environment, perceived relevance and ease of use, and user skills. The study suggests a coherent and structured strategy for marketing e-resources. It was established that the successful implementation of marketing campaigns will depend on the collection development policy adopted, the strategic plan that spells out the human and logistical resources, and the budgetary allocations. The proposed strategies would enhance not just the marketing of electronic resources inside Ghanaian TU libraries but also those of other Ghanaian university libraries. Libraries in other African nations with operational environments comparable to those of Ghana's TUs might also potentially adopt and implement the study's findings.Ph.D. Information ScienceInformation Scienc
A framework for the implementation of online learning in distance education : a case study from the global South
No full textThe evolution of Unisa through its different phases of pedagogical delivery, and its strategic intention to become a blended open-distance education provider, has to be understood against international and national trends in higher education and, specifically, open, distance, and distributed learning. To partially address these trends, the online Signature Course (SC) concept was introduced to the university, and the investigations, consultations, networking, and planning began in 2009 with a team in place by 2011. The SCs were the first fully online courses implemented at scale at Unisa in 2013, however, the implementation process was never fully mapped. This study will, therefore map the implementation process in different stages. The main purpose of the SC process evaluation is grounded in continuous institutional learning through development, knowledge generation, and a process of qualitative and quantitative improvements. The implementation process of the SCs will provide information on different implementation models, factors contributing to successful implementation, key design elements, variables that played a role in each of the implementation stages, interdependencies between the different functional areas, and decisions that were taken, showing their impact on the process. The research philosophy of pragmatism underpins this single-case study and its sequential, qualitative method and explorative research design. Data collection methods comprise document analysis, interviews, and a pluralistic walk-through to collect data from planners, implementers, and users. The academic value of this contribution to research will be a comprehensive framework for the implementation of online learning with a special emphasis on the global south.D. Phil. (Business Management)Business Managemen
Measurements of observables sensitive to colour reconnection in t t ¯ events with the ATLAS detector at s = 13 TeV
No full textAbstract
A measurement of observables sensitive to effects of colour reconnection in top-quark pair-production events is presented using 139
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of 13 TeV proton–proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Events are selected by requiring exactly one isolated electron and one isolated muon with opposite charge and two or three jets, where exactly two jets are required to be b-tagged. For the selected events, measurements are presented for the charged-particle multiplicity, the scalar sum of the transverse momenta of the charged particles, and the same scalar sum in bins of charged-particle multiplicity. These observables are unfolded to the stable-particle level, thereby correcting for migration effects due to finite detector resolution, acceptance and efficiency effects. The particle-level measurements are compared with different colour reconnection models in Monte Carlo generators. These measurements disfavour some of the colour reconnection models and provide inputs to future optimisation of the parameters in Monte Carlo generators
Lived experiences of gay men in their achievement of leadership in South African organisations
No full textThere is a noticeable absence of the voices of gay men in leadership in South African
government and corporate organisations. This absence of visible gay male leadership in
organisations in South Africa, coupled with the limited research in a South African context, gave
rise to the research topic. This qualitative study investigated the lived experiences of gay men in
their achievement of leadership with a focus on the possible barriers or obstacles they may
have encountered and overcome to realise their leadership positions. The study was conducted
through interviews with South Africa citizens working in mainstream South African
organisations; some participants also had personal experiences working in multinational
organisations allowing for a comparison between the multinational workspace and the South
African workspace. By utilising snowball sampling methods, eleven participants were
purposefully selected from a sample of self-identified cisgender gay men. The selected
participants had all openly revealed their same-sex sexual orientation to the organisations
where they worked and were all working in senior leader roles. Semi-structured individual
interviews were conducted with the participants and later transcribed, and rigorously analysed
using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis methods. The findings of the study identified that
gay cisgender males in mainstream South African organisations do indeed encounter barriers
relating to prejudice based on their same-sex sexual orientation. These barriers may impede
their professional development and growth into senior leadership positions. It was found that
some gay men possess internal resources or enablers that allow them to overcome existing
barriers and advance into successful leaders in their careers. Similarly, progress has been
made in some South African organisations, allowing them to provide a culture and environment
of safety and support for gay men, enabling these men to realise their aspirations of senior
leadership. By combining senior leadership who are supportive and involved in LGBTI+
affirmative practices and implementing workplace processes like LGBTI+ forums and inclusivity,
and awareness training programmes, organisations may create cultures where LGBTI+ people
may flourish and advance to senior leadership roles in South African organisations.Ph.D. (Consulting Psychology)Psycholog
Examining the participation of parents in selected primary schools in the King Cetshwayo District, KwaZulu-Natal
No full textAbstracts in English, Zulu and AfrikaansThis study investigated the level of parental involvement in three primary schools in the King Cetshwayo District. This includes parental duties such as attending school events, assisting with homework, and providing a conducive home environment for children to flourish in their scholastic pursuits. Such involvement not only strengthens the bond between parents and educators, but also nurtures a school community built on trust and respect. This study also analysed the reasons for the non-involvement of parents, and its deleterious consequences on learners’ academic performance. A qualitative case study research project employed the interpretive paradigm and utilised the purposive sampling technique to facilitate eighteen semi-structured interviews and document analyses, collecting data from selected schools. Findings revealed that all three schools experienced a lack of parental involvement as a result of socioeconomic factors such as poverty, illiteracy and the lack of knowledge, inadequate resources, and time-constraints. This was exacerbated by schools not utilising effective communication channels to involve parents in school activities. After identifying barriers to participation, the staff and parents of each school were eager to learn how they could overcome these challenges. This investigation, while acknowledging the benefits of parental participation, utilised Epstein's Theory of Parenting Typologies and Overlapping Spheres of the School, Parent, and Community as the theoretical framework to elucidate the status of parental involvement in the King Cetshwayo District. In addition, suggestions for implementing strategies to promote parental participation were advocated. Recommendations included the provision of resources and training, designing effective policies, building meaningful relationships, increasing communication techniques, and fostering a sense of community. If implemented, monitored, and sustained effectively, these approaches will lead to increased parental involvement, improved academic performance, and enhanced social skills.Lolu cwaningo lubheke izinga lokubandakanyeka kwabazali njengenxenye ebalulekile ezikoleni ezintathu zamabanga aphansi esifundeni saseKing Cetshwayo. Lokhu kubandakanya imisebenzi yabazali enjengokuhambela imicimbi yezikole, ukwelekelela ngemisebenzi yasekhaya Kanye nokwakhela abantwana ikhaya elilungele ukufunda nelizobakhuthaza ukuba bazimisele emsebenzini wabo wesikole. Lokhu kubandakanyeka akuqinisi kuphela ubudlelwano phakathi kwabazali nothisha kodwa bukhulisa umphakathi wesikole owakhiwe phezu kweqiniso nenhlonipho. Lolu cwaningo luphinde luhlaziye nezizathu zokungabandakanyeki kwabazali Kanye nemiphumela engemihle yalokho emfundweni yabantwana. Lolu cwaningo oluhlahlela okuphathelene nesimo, luthathe ipharadam yesiqondiso lwase lwasebenzisa ukhetho oluhlosile ukuhlela liqhube izinhlolokhono ezihlelwe uhafu eziyishumi nesishiyagalombili Kanye nokuhlolwa komqulu wokuqoqa ulwazi ezikoleni zemfundo yamazinga aphansi ezikhethiwe. Okutholakele kuveze ukuthi izikole zontathu zibhekene nokungabandakanyeki kwabazali okudalwa izinkinga zezimali nezenhlalakahle njengenhlupheko, abazali abangafundile, ukweswela ulwazi, ukweswela izinsiza kusebenza nokungabi naso isikhathi. Lokhu kwandiswe izikole ezingasebenzisanga izindlela ezifanele zokuxhumana ukuze zibandakanye abazali ezintweni zesikole. Ngemuva kokuthola imithangala evimba ukusebenzisana, abasebenzi besikole Kanye nabazali besikole ngasinye babe nentshisekelo yokuthola izindlela zokulwisana nalezi zingqinamba. Lolu cwaningo, lubeka ekhanda inzuzo yokusebenzisana nabazali, lusebenzise isichasiselo esibonwa ngokucabanga sika – Epstein’s Theory yezindlela ezahlukene zokukhulisa abantwana nemikhakha eyahlukene yesikole kanye nomphakathi njengohlaka lwesichasiso esibonwa ngokucabanga ukuze kuhlazululwe isimo sokubandakanyeka kwabazali esifundeni saseKing Cetshwayo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, imibono yokwenza izindlela zokuphumelelisa ukubandakanyeka kwabazali zasungulwa. Iziphakamiso ezibandakanya ukutholakala kwezinsiza kusebenza nokuqeqesha, ukusungula inqubo mthetho esebenza kancono, nokwakha ubudlelwano obunesisindo, ukunyusa izindlela zokuxhumana, nokugqugquzela ukwazisana njengomphakathi. Uma zisunguliwe, zabhekwa, zagcinwa kahle, lezi zindlela zizoholela ekubandakanyekeni kwabazali okwengeziwe kuphinde kukhuphule imiphumela emihle yabafundi kucije namakhono okuhlalisana.Hierdie studie het die omvang van ouerbetrokkenheid as 'n fundamentele komponent in drie laerskole in die King Cetshwayo-distrik ondersoek. Dit sluit ouerlike pligte in, soos om skoolgeleenthede by te woon, met huiswerk te help en 'n bevorderlike huislike omgewing te bied vir kinders om in hul skolastiese aktiwiteite te floreer. Sodanige betrokkenheid versterk nie net die band tussen ouers en opvoeders nie, maar koester ook 'n skoolgemeenskap wat op vertroue en respek gebou is. Hierdie studie het ook die redes vir die nie-betrokkenheid van ouers en die nadelige gevolge daarvan op leerders se akademiese prestasie ontleed. 'n Kwalitatiewe gevallestudienavorsingsprojek het die interpretatiewe paradigma gebruik en die doelgerigte steekproeftegniek gebruik om agtien semigestruktureerde onderhoude en dokumentontledings te fasiliteer en data van geselekteerde skole in te samel. Bevindinge het aan die lig gebring dat al drie skole 'n gebrek aan ouerbetrokkenheid ervaar het as gevolg van sosio-ekonomiese faktore soos armoede, ongeletterdheid en die gebrek aan kennis, onvoldoende hulpbronne en tydsbeperkings. Dit is vererger deurdat skole nie effektiewe kommunikasiekanale gebruik het om ouers by skoolaktiwiteite te betrek nie. Nadat hindernisse vir deelname geïdentifiseer is, was die personeel en ouers van elke skool gretig om te leer hoe hulle hierdie uitdagings kon oorkom. Hierdie ondersoek, terwyl die voordele van ouerdeelname erken word, het Epstein se teorie van ouerskaptipologieë en oorvleuelende sfere van die skool, ouer en gemeenskap as teoretiese raamwerk gebruik om die status van ouerbetrokkenheid in die King Cetshwayo-distrik toe te lig. Daarbenewens is voorstelle vir die implementering van strategieë om ouerdeelname te bevorder, bepleit. Aanbevelings sluit in die verskaffing van hulpbronne en opleiding, die ontwerp van effektiewe beleide, die bou van betekenisvolle verhoudings, die verhoging van kommunikasietegnieke en die bevordering van 'n gevoel van gemeenskap. As dit effektief geïmplementeer, gemonitor en volgehou word, sal hierdie benaderings lei tot verhoogde ouerbetrokkenheid, verbeterde akademiese prestasie en verbeterde sosiale vaardighede.M. Ed. (Educational Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen