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Optimising the application of modern and conventional trackless mobile machines in chrome smelting operations
Full text linkMaster of Business Administration, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark CampusSouth Africa has one of the largest chrome ore deposits worldwide, providing ferrochrome through furnace production. Internal movement and bulk material handling is a specialised service rendered within the greater value chain. This market is ever-changing, demanding, and competitive; constant growth and development are required to ensure efficiency throughout the value chain. To be competitive on a global scale, the chrome smelting industry in South Africa needs to adopt new technology in its bulk material handling operations. However, most of Almar’s clients have not optimised the application of conventional and modern TMMs in their haulage operations, which can be detrimental to mine productivity, client satisfaction and the quality of service delivery. The unproductive application of conventional and modern TMMs in chrome mining's bulk material handling operations poses a competitive challenge to the industry. This study investigates how a blend of conventional and modern TMMs can be optimally applied to increase the productivity of on-site bulk material handling in South African chrome mines. To this end, a TMM fleet optimisation approach is proposed using client-specific internal data from the Almar Investments (Pty) Ltd (Almar) database. It also focuses on future technological TMM developments: how emulators, remote control TMMs, and electric-powered vehicles could change the industry's future and improve efficiency. Organisations increasingly depend on partners within their supply chain to improve business processes and minimise costs to achieve and maintain a competitive advantage. The aim is to evaluate optimisation to stay relevant within the supply chain. The primary objective of this study is to find the balance between conventional and modern TMMs for on-site bulk material handling, optimise current business operations, and investigate new advances in solutions to stay relevant. Several secondary objectives were applied and reached; the study applied cost-benefit and data analysis techniques to determine the feasibility of the optimisation. Data from Almar’s database were used to determine when using an increased number of modern TMMs in the client’s haulage operations is advantageous. Factors such as breakdown frequency, standing time per TMM life cycle and TMM category, as well as availability and utilisation of TMMs occurring over periods ranging from 5 000 - 10 000 hours to 20 000 - 25 000 hours, were considered to determine when it becomes advantageous to use more modern TMMs than conventional ones. It was established that after two years of operation, more modern TMMs than conventional ones should be employed in the haulage operations of the company investigated. Calculations using the PI index at an increment of one year up to seven years show that at 6.5 years and a total profitability index of 1.408, the contributions of conventional and modern TMMs to the PI are the same. Over long periods (years six and seven), using more than 50% up to 90% modern TMMs in hauling operations is an advantageous investment strategy for Almar's client. The contribution of this study would be to determine the optimisation of conventional and modern TMMs for increased efficiency to ensure future sustainability for an established organisation.Master
Developing a talent-risk management framework for selected aviation enterprises
Full text linkDoctor of Philosophy in Economic and Management Sciences with Business Administration, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark CampusThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge influence on the aviation industry. Traffic restrictions, lockdown measures and decreased passenger demand have all contributed to a significant drop in air traffic. Airlines have encountered financial difficulties, with several suffering huge losses and others going bankrupt. Flight frequencies, route cancellations and grounded aircraft have all increased in the industry. Talent risk management in the aviation industry was severely impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. A literature review highlighted that there was no formal talent risk management framework in place for the aviation industry. As a result, aviation managers lack the skills and specialist expertise required to manage talent during the pandemic. Employees may seek work elsewhere as a result, resulting in a talent drain in the industry. The goal of this research is to develop a talent-risk management framework for the selected aviation enterprises that will better enable aviation managers to deal with crisis while managing crucial resources and human capital.
This study was conducted with participants from two airlines; namely, South African Airways in South Africa and a middle eastern airline, Qatar Airways. While Qatar Airways continued to fly throughout the pandemic, South African Airways was already identified to undergo business rescue and organisational restructuring prior to the pandemic. So, the emergence of the pandemic only added to the difficulties that this airline was already facing.
A total of 12 (six from each airline) human resource managers voluntarily participated in the study. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, using semi-structured interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams. This method sought a more subjective review of the experience from the participants. Data were analysed manually using a wall of code and code matrices to show frequency of code words. The themes were generated from the code words. The themes were aligned with the four objectives of this study, which are; to determine the critical factors involved in the development of a
talent-risk management framework for the aviation industry; to determine what talent-risk management processes are in place and where the gaps exist in the aviation industry; to explore the perceived competencies managers need in the aviation industry (skill sets, bias) to deal with talent-risk management and to explore the talent risk management challenges experienced by managers in the aviation industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The findings of this study revealed that there is no formal talent-risk management framework for the selected aviation enterprises. The findings from the data collected were used in combination with the literature and the theoretical foundations that underpin this study to develop a talent-risk management framework for the selected aviation enterprises as the main contribution to the body of knowledge. Multiple managerial recommendations were posed to ensure the management of the talent-risk factors that frame the outcome of the study.Doctora
Industry perceptions of South African Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations: Challenges and opportunities for the paper and packaging industry
Full text linkMaster of Environmental Management with Waste
Management , North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusThe waste management environment in South Africa is undoubtedly characterised by collection and landfilling with a limited amount of recycling. Landfills have several detrimental environmental effects, including air pollution from burning waste and methane gas release, soil and water
pollution from seepage from the landfill cells, leachate collection systems, uncontrolled spillages and discharges, and more. In addition, most of the landfills in South Africa particularly those located in urban areas have or are nearing the end of their lifespan. On the other hand, there is a shortage of suitable land to establish new landfills. To combat the littering and landfilling issues, there is an urgent need for better waste management through promotion of recycling and reuse of End-of-Life (EOL) products. South Africa recently introduced the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations to address the problems of waste management in the country. The EPR has now emerged and is now recognised worldwide as an effective and efficient waste management principle that promotes reuse and recycling of EOL products. The EPR is also regarded as a catalyst or pathway to attaining a Circular Economy (CE). The EPR is conceptualised from the polluter pays principle (PPP) whose basic feature is that producers are responsible for managing the waste generated by the products they put on the market. The “cheapest cost-avoider” (the producer) is the main actor within the value chain who is in the best position to provide a solution or the “best briber” (producer) who is best suited to transmit the stimulus of the EPR policy to the most suitable stages. The successful implementation of EPR therefore largely depends on the practices and actions of producers. The aim of the research is to assess the paper and packaging industry’s perceptions of the opportunities and challenges associated with the EPR Regulations in South Africa. The EPR is a new concept in South Africa and there is very little research on the subject in this country. This research is therefore exploratory and qualitative. The research lays a foundation for future research. Data was principally obtained through semi-structured interviews with producers and Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) in the paper and packaging industry. The results showed that in principle, there is widespread support of EPR by the packaging industry in South Africa. However, the industry has certain reservations about the EPR regulations. From the research, the following challenges were identified: disproportionate allocation of responsibility to the producers, the costs of rolling out accessible EPR collection points, weak or absence of monitoring and enforcement by Government and concomitantly the
problem of free riders. Although EPR presents immense benefits to the environment, the research established that there are no or very little financial benefits of EPR to the producers at least in the short term. Recommendations are made to alleviate these challenges. This research will
contribute towards future research that looks to undertake an empirical investigation of the economic and financial benefits of EPR to producers. Further research can be conducted in several areas pertaining to EPR such as exploring South African companies’ readiness to implement EPR.Master
The impact of citizens satisfaction with national-level institutions and conditions on their subjective wellbeing: evidence from 137 countries
Full text linkJournal Article, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Workwell: Research Unit for Economic; Management Sciences-- Potchefstroom CampusThis study develops and tests a model of subjective indicators of national wellbeing that can be applied across countries worldwide. Using data from over 160,000 respondents in 137 countries from the 2019 Gallup World Poll, we examine how citizens’ satisfaction with national institutions and various environments (physical, political, economic, and social) affects their subjective wellbeing. Based on bottom-up spillover theory, we hypothesize that satisfaction with concrete country conditions affects overall life satisfaction and affective wellbeing. Results from Bayesian multilevel modeling support our hypotheses and show significant positive relationships between citizens’ satisfaction with national institutions, political, economic, and social environments and their subjective well-being. Satisfaction with the physical environment showed no significant effect in the full model but was significant when analyzed separately. This research provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the factors that influence national wellbeing in different global contexts and offers fresh insights for policymakers and researchers in assessing and improving quality of life at the national level.Funding
This research was partially supported by a grant from the Well-being for Planet Earth Foundation awarded to Mohsen Joshanloo in 2021
The value of Paul Ricoeur's philosophy for mining induced displacement and resettlement
Full text linkMagister Philosophiae in Philosophy, North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusThe mining industry is frequently associated with decisions and activities that have enormous social and environmental consequences. One of the most negative effects of mining today, especially in South Africa but also globally, is the forcing of thousands of people to abandon their current places of residence to make space for mining activities. Resettlement is a change process where people are involuntarily relocated from one place to another. In most cases, it causes drastic environmental, social, political and economic changes. In the mining industry this activity is known as Mining Induced Displacement and Resettlement (MIDR). To forcefully remove people from their place of living, for example as was done during Apartheid for racist reasons, is something that has tremendous effect on people’s dignity, social cohesion, livelihood, identity, and socio-economic circumstances. Much has been written on this topic, also in philosophy, but there is not much literature on MIDR, and also not from a philosophical perspective. This study aims to fill that lacuna by exploring and indicating the value of the philosophy of Paul Ricoeur for developing and practising a more just MIDR
One Health monitoring reveals invasive freshwater snail species, new records, and undescribed parasite diversity in Zimbabwe
Full text linkJournal Article, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management-- Potchefstroom CampusBackground
Snail-borne trematodes afflict humans, livestock, and wildlife. Recognizing their zoonotic potential and possible hybridization, a One Health approach is essential for effective control. Given the dearth of knowledge on African trematodes, this study aimed to map snail and trematode diversity, focusing on (i) characterizing gastropod snail species and their trematode parasites, (ii) determining infection rates of snail species as intermediate hosts for medically, veterinary, and ecologically significant trematodes, and (iii) comparing their diversity across endemic regions.
Methods
A cross-sectional study conducted in 2021 in Chiredzi and Wedza districts in Zimbabwe, known for high human schistosomiasis prevalence, involved malacological surveys at 56 sites. Trematode infections in snails were detected through shedding experiments and multiplex rapid diagnostic polymerase chain reactions (RD-PCRs). Morphological and molecular analyses were employed to identify snail and trematode species.
Results
Among 3209 collected snail specimens, 11 species were identified, including schistosome and fasciolid competent snail species. We report for the first time the invasive exotic snail Tarebia granifera in Zimbabwe, which was highly abundant, mainly in Chiredzi, occurring at 29 out of 35 sites. Shedding experiments on 1303 snails revealed a 2.24% infection rate, with 15 trematode species identified through molecular genotyping. Five species were exclusive to Chiredzi: Bolbophorus sp., Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma mattheei, Calicophoron sp., and Uvulifer sp. Eight were exclusive to Wedza, including Trichobilharzia sp., Stephanoprora amurensis, Spirorchid sp., and Echinostoma
sp. as well as an unidentified species of the Plagiorchioidea superfamily. One species, Tylodelphys mashonensis, was common to both regions. The RD-PCR screening of 976 non-shedding snails indicated a 35.7% trematode infection rate, including the presence of schistosomes (1.1%) Fasciola nyanzae (0.6%). In Chiredzi, Radix natalensis had the highest trematode infection prevalence (33.3%), while in Wedza, R. natalensis (55.4%) and Bulinus tropicus (53.2%) had the highest infection prevalence.
Conclusions
Our xenomonitoring approach unveiled 15 trematode species, including nine new records in Zimbabwe. Schistosoma mansoni persists in the study region despite six mass deworming rounds. The high snail and parasite diversity, including the presence of exotic snail species that can impact endemic species and biomedically important trematodes, underscores the need for increased monitoring.AM was financially supported by the Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad (Flemish Interuniversity Council)–Universitaire Ontwikkelingssamenwerking (VLIR-UOS) through a Global Minds PhD Fellowship (Project no. 3E210232) and logistically
supported by the Malilangwe Trust. RS was supported by BRAIN-be 2.0 under the MicroResist project (B2/191/P1/MicroResist). We acknowledge the travel grant from Stichting ter Bevordering van het Biodiversiteitsonderzoek in Afrika/Fondation pour Favoriser la Recherche sur la Biodiversité en Afrique (SBBOA/FFRBA) awarded to RS and AM. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
Re-examining the rationale and meaning of differences between the narrative and the poem of the Red Sea event
Full text linkDoctor of Philosophy in Old Testament, North-West University, Potchefstroom CampusThe narrative of Exodus 13:17–14:31 and the poem of Exodus 15:1-18, commonly referred to as the Red Sea event or the Israelites’ victory at Sea, describe the Israelites’ rescue out of Egypt in different ways. The narrative chronicles the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt, their passage through the Sea, YHWH’s defeat of the Egyptians in the Sea, the Israelites’ belief in Moses as the servant of YHWH, and their faith in YHWH. In contrast, the poem centers on the victory at Sea, the defeat of new enemies, and a future dwelling place with YHWH. Despite these differences, there does not seem to be a concentrated effort in scholarship to uncover why there are two different accounts of one event. This thesis aims to do precisely that by analyzing and investigating the narrative and the poem in Exodus 13:17–14:31 and Exodus 15:1-18, respectively. To reach this aim, Exodus 13:17–14:31 and 15:1-18 are subjected to a comprehensive contextual and intertextual analysis, a comparison of differences in twice-told ancient Near Eastern battles, and a discussion of the differences between the two passages
The role of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in policy formulation at the local government sphere: The case of Emfuleni Municipality
Full text linkMaster of Arts in Political Studies, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark CampusThis research investigates the involvement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in shaping municipal policies within the Emfuleni Municipality situated in the Gauteng province of South Africa, under the administrative purview of the Sedibeng District Municipality. While policy formulation typically falls under the purview of governmental bodies, the constitutional framework in South Africa accommodates the impact of stakeholders and interest groups in the policymaking process. The delineation of the policy agenda in this context unfolds through a sequential process comprising agenda setting, policy formulation, policy legitimization, policy evaluation, policy maintenance, and policy analysis. The primary objective of this study is to ascertain the mechanisms through which Civil Society Organizations exert influence on the systematic agenda-setting process within the policymaking domain of local government in South Africa. Additionally, the investigation seeks to elucidate the extent and nature of Civil Society Organizations involvement in policymaking activities specifically during the agenda-setting phase within the local government context. This study employed the triangulation method, which integrates multiple research techniques to investigate a research question. The triangulation method, involving the use of two or more techniques, serves to bolster confidence in the research outcomes and facilitates a more precise interpretation of results. Essentially, the acquired data will be subjected to analysis utilizing non-statistical techniques, wherein the researcher exercises judgment over experimental groups, as opposed to relying on statistical formulas or methodologies. The primary objective of this study is to ascertain the mechanisms through which Civil Society Organizations exert influence on the systematic agenda-setting process within the policymaking domain of local government in South Africa. Additionally, the investigation seeks to elucidate the extent and nature of CSO involvement in policymaking activities specifically during the agenda-setting phase within the local government context. The study concludes that CSOs assume a pivotal role in the policymaking process, actively contributing to the formulation and execution of public policies. Their participation in policymaking involves the dissemination of knowledge to both society and the government, coupled with strategic lobbying endeavours aimed at influencing the translation of specific issues into actionable policies. Notably, CSOs engage in advocacy and lobbying within the policymaking sphere based on their possession of societal information. While their involvement encompasses various stages of the policymaking process, it may be delimited by the particular agendas they endorse or by the stance adopted by the government. Within the context of the Emfuleni Municipality, civil society organizations ensure the effective implementation of environmental policies and hold polluters accountable through legal interventions. The overarching objective of these efforts is to cultivate an environment conducive to the overall well-being of the municipality's inhabitants.Master
Promoting Sustainable Well-Being: Burnout and Engagement in South African Learners
Full text linkJournal Article, Faculty of Education, Self-Directed Learning (SDL)-- Potchefstroom CampusThis study aimed to analyze the latent profiles of burnout and engagement of learners and to investigate differences between these profiles regarding demographic and contextual variables and academic boredom. The findings have practical implications for educators and professionals in the fields of education and psychology. Grade 9 and 10 South African learners (N = 544) studying English and Mathematics as school subjects participated in the study. Five learner burnout and engagement profiles were identified: healthy engaged (10.66%), moderately balanced (27.57%), slightly disengaged (30.7%), moderately burned-out (20.4%), and burned-out (10.66%). Academic boredom in Mathematics and English was linked to burnout-engagement profiles. The healthy engaged and moderately balanced profiles exhibited significantly lower academic boredom levels in both subjects than the other profiles. Positive relationships with teachers and interest in the subject were crucial across all profiles to diminish academic boredom and enhance engagement, especially in English. Various demographic and contextual variables were associated with burnout-engagement profiles. Home study environments, nurturing positive teacher-learner relationships, and fostering intrinsic interest in subjects can enhance engagement and mitigate burnout in secondary school learners. Sustainable interventions could be created by teachers or researchers, implemented by schools, and taken up in important policies within South Africa, showcasing how the SGDs of improved health and well-being and delivering quality education could be achieved.Author Contributions
Conceptualization, C.I.B., S.R. and M.M.K.; methodology, C.I.B. and S.R.; software, S.R.; validation, C.I.B. and S.R.; formal analysis, S.R. and C.I.B.; investigation, C.I.B.; resources, C.I.B., S.R. and M.M.K.; data curation, C.I.B.; writing—original draft preparation, C.I.B., S.R. and M.M.K.; writing—review and editing, C.I.B., S.R., M.M.K. and S.C.; supervision, S.R. and M.M.K.; project administration, C.I.B. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Institutional Review Board Statement
The study obtained ethics approval from the North-West University Health Research Ethics Committee (NWU-HREC) (NWU-00476-19-A1) and the Gauteng Department of Education Research and Knowledge Management Division, South Africa (2019/259A)
An Integrated Career Management Model for the Public Service The Case of North West Province Departments of Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements
Full text linkArticle, Faculty of Humanities (Afrocentric Governance of Public Affairs (AGoPA)-- Northwest University, Vanderbijlpark CampusIntegrative governance significantly promotes a co-creative relationship, which nurtures the alignment of employees’ career aspirations with organisational goals while emphasising a framework devoid of rigid institutional systems. Despite its significance, the integrative relationship between career development theories, HRM legislations, norms, values, and diverse role-players requires attention. This relationship affects the attraction and retention of scarce skilled employees, leading to an imbalance that hampers organisational performance and fosters unhealthy competitive behaviour, ultimately impeding universal employee development. Empirical evidence from the North-West Provincial Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the North West Provincial Department of Human Settlements (NWPDHS), including 110 questionnaire responses from skilled technicians and professionals and 26 interviews with public managers, attested to the above by exposing the misuse of career management equipment and unequal distribution of resources towards scarce skilled professionals. The study, therefore, developed an integrated career management model grounded on integrative governance principles to mutually safeguard employees’ career aspirations and public service goals by enabling employees to cope with career management equipment skilfully. The goal is to promote democratic career decision-making and coordination for universal employee development and organisational performance