594 research outputs found
Electrical Machines IV EMAC4P 0/0
No full text
Subject : Electrical Machines IV
Subject code : EMAC4P 0/0
Qualification : B.Tech Engineering: Electrical
Examiners : Mr Edward Kofi Appiah
Moderator : Mr J. Bentil
Date : June 2019</p
Interoperable services based on activity monitoring in ambient assisted living environments
No full textAmbient Assisted Living (AAL) is considered as the main technological solution that will enable the aged and people in recovery to maintain their independence and a consequent high quality of life for a longer period of time than would otherwise be the case. This goal is achieved by monitoring human’s activities and deploying the appropriate collection of services to set environmental features and satisfy user preferences in a given context. However, both human monitoring and services deployment are particularly hard to accomplish due to the uncertainty and ambiguity characterising human actions, and heterogeneity of hardware devices composed in an AAL system. This research addresses both the aforementioned challenges by introducing 1) an innovative system, based on Self Organising Feature Map (SOFM), for automatically classifying the resting location of a moving object in an indoor environment and 2) a strategy able to generate context-aware based Fuzzy Markup Language (FML) services in order to maximize the users’ comfort and hardware interoperability level. The overall system runs on a distributed embedded platform with a specialised ceiling- mounted video sensor for intelligent activity monitoring. The system has the ability to learn resting locations, to measure overall activity levels, to detect specific events such as potential falls and to deploy the right sequence of fuzzy services modelled through FML for supporting people in that particular context. Experimental results show less than 20% classification error in monitoring human activities and providing the right set of services, showing the robustness of our approach over others in literature with minimal power consumption
Digitisation of Patient Care: An Analysis of the Implementation of Electronic Health Records in Gauteng, South Africa
No full textA research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in the field of Digital BusinessBackground: The global trend of centralised Electronic Health Records (EHR) aligns with the digitisation megatrends of the fourth industrial revolution.
Developed countries show success, while developing nations, facing economic complexities, are lagging. In South Africa, low EHR maturity and adoption, coupled with the National Health Insurance (NHI) development, highlight the need for successful implementation.
Problem Statement: EHR offers various benefits, yet slow implementation and adoption persist in the South African public healthcare sector due to numerous challenges.
Objective: The study sought critical success factors for EHR implementation in Gauteng informed by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Information and Technology, Processes and Objectives, Skills and Management, and Other Factors (ITPOSMO) with an emphasis on user perspectives and the literature- reality gap.
Method: The study used an exploratory cross-sectional approach, conducting interviews with six individuals, including end users and leadership from
Gauteng's three largest municipalities.
Findings and Conclusion: Benefits and challenges from literature, categorised by ITPOSMO and ranked by commonality, revealed a fundamental relationship with factors crucial for EHR implementation. To realise benefits and overcome challenges, critical success factors must be prioritised. These include user input, training, infrastructure development, change management, system maintenance, data quality, interoperability, standardized evaluation, and funding control. Emphasising these factors is crucial for successful EHR implementation, ultimately enhancing patient care and quality outcomes in the Gauteng Province.MM202
The impact of organisational governance on team autonomy in large-scale agile projects
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in the field of Digital Business to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023Traditional software development methods have proven to be ineffective for large- scale projects in the current digital era. This, as well as the complexities of large-scale projects, has exacerbated the need for more and more organisations to adopt agile project methodologies for large-scale projects to keep up with the fast-paced technology landscape. The adoption of agile methodologies can only work if it is supported by organisational structures that enable agile to be effective. These include governance structures and organisational culture that enable continuous rapid delivery of quality software. Team autonomy is key in enabling fast-paced delivery, and there should be alignment between the organisational governance structures and the autonomy of project teams. It is not clear as to what level of autonomy should be afforded to project teams, at the same time ensuring that the project receives the right level of oversight. The research followed a qualitative research approach, and 10 participants who had experience working on agile projects in one of the big banks in South Africa were interviewed. The study found that the lack of team autonomy in large-scale agile projects was due to the organisation’s little to no tolerance for risk and
the blaming culture. To change this, the organisation needs to cultivate a learning culture that will allow project teams to learn and grow through their mistakesMM202
The Relationship Between Talent Management Practices and Organisational Competitiveness in South African Law Firms
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023The globalisation of legal services has massively amplified competition among professional service firms in South Africa and globally. To compete more effectively in the present-day environment, characterized by increased competition and enhanced customer expectations, sustaining high performance is critical. Due to scarcity of talent, law firms compete for the same pool of human resources to acquire and retain to increase growth in profitability and service.
Literature has identified talent management practices (“TMP”) such as talent identification, selection, retention, and development as sources of sustainable competitive advantage. Despite talent management and its practices being established concepts in literature and in practice, there is an apparent lacuna in research on TMP in the context of South African law firms and whether such practices enhance their competitiveness.
The objective of this study was to ascertain the relationship between TMP and organisational competitiveness in South African law firms operating within the Gauteng province. A quantitative study was undertaken, with statistics gathered from employees of law firms located in Gauteng, South Africa. A random sampling technique was used and data was collected from 56 participants using a semi-structured survey questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to generate descriptive and inferential statistics.
The empirical findings indicated that all constructs associated with TMP, namely talent attraction, talent development, talent retention and reasons for using these practices, were positively correlated with organisational competitiveness. However, statistically, talent development increased an organisations competitiveness. The findings thus indicate that talent attraction, talent development and talent retention are important and have an impact on organisational competitiveness. These findings will enable law firms to apply talent development towards continuous organisational competitiveness, which further aids the sustainability of the organisationMM202
Digital transformation and human capital in retail banking in South Africa
No full textA research article submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration Johannesburg, March 202The digital transition is disruptive because it brings great change along with it. The banking business is being reshaped by powerful forces like but not limited to expectations from customers, technological abilities, legislative requirements, demographic trends, and economics. These are all combined to create a pressing need for change. Banks must anticipate these problems and retool in order to succeed in the future age. Banks must not only meet today's demands but also drastically innovate and restructure themselves in order to be competitive in the future. In the banking industry, digital transformation is a continual process involving both the micro and macro environment through revamping internal procedures and systems.
Digital transformation occurs for a variety of reasons, including serving rural areas without branch locations, differentiating from competitors, and lowering operational expenses. In any event, there are many reservations about digital technologies' acceptability. Most people's computers or mobile phones are now used to conduct a substantial proportion of banking transactions. The variety of options, as well as the time and cost savings, and the ease of use of these applications, ensure that they continue to outperform traditional banking channels like bank branches. (Kitsios & Giatsidis, 2021)
The purpose of the study is to ascertain how human capital in the form of business units and line managers within retail banks responded to the technological disruptions within the South African context. The objective of this research is to provide an overview of the shift from a workplace that does not rely on technology to one that is heavily reliant on technological integration to achieve operational needs. It will examine the repercussions of process automation migrations, as well as how this affects attrition rate and retention as human capital tries to adjust to such a radical changeMM202
The impact of pregnancy on women in the ferrochrome industry in South Africa
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024This thesis presents a comprehensive exploration of the ramifications of pregnancy on women employed within South Africa's ferrochrome industry. Drawing on a meticulous review of literature, including studies by notable researchers such as Dr. Nobuhle, Solomons, Dikgwatlhe and Mulenga, the research delves into the multifaceted challenges faced by women in this sector.
The study illuminates the nuanced impact of pregnancy on the career trajectories of women within the ferrochrome industry. Synthesising literature insights with participants' perspectives, the research underscores recurring barriers such as limited access, safety concerns, and entrenched gender-based discrimination, both in academic discourse and on the ground. Employing a qualitative approach, the thesis critically evaluates company policies governing pregnancy and their alignment with fundamental employment conditions. Through one-on-one interviews and data analysis, the research unearths discrepancies between articulated policies
and their actual implementation, highlighting persistent gaps that adversely affect the well- being of pregnant employees within ferrochrome mining companies.
Furthermore, the study explores workplace safety, accommodation, and the financial implications entailed by pregnancy in the ferrochrome industry. By correlating literature insights with participant narratives, the research emphasises the challenges faced by pregnant women and advocates for strategic improvements to create a safer and more supportive work environment.
Findings: The qualitative methodology reveals that pregnant woman in the ferrochrome industry encounter challenges in career advancement, face role constraints, and struggle with work-life balance. Participants emphasise the need for improved policies and support from both companies and colleagues. Issues such as physical strain in hazardous areas, emotional stress, and financial impact of extended maternity leave are prevalent. Suggestions range from flexible work arrangements to awareness programs, advocating for better policies and empathetic workplaces. Ultimately, the participants urge for a culture shift, ensuring fair treatment and
empowerment for pregnant women in the mining industry.
In conclusion, this thesis propels discussions on the strategic imperative of nurturing a social license within South Africa's ferrochrome industry. It examines how companies can empower women through policy reforms, fostering an environment conducive to gender equality, inclusivity, and community engagement. The findings contribute to a robust understanding of the impact of pregnancy on various facets of the ferrochrome mining industry, offering meaningful conclusions and recommendations for a more equitable landscape within the sectorMM202
The impact of teleworking on job satisfaction in the Financial Services Sector: A case of a South African Bank
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023Even though teleworking has been around for a while, recent developments with COVID- 19, which increased the rate of teleworking or working from home, led to the introduction of many employees to teleworking or working from home (WFH) for the first time. This quantitative research study used emotional support as an independent variable, job competencies as a moderator, as well as trust and equity inside a South African bank to investigate the relationship between job satisfaction with telework. A sample of 150 professionals from a South African bank make up the participants. The variables of interest are job satisfaction, emotional support, trust and equality, and finally job competencies were examined using regression and proportions analyses to determine the degree of shared variance and the strength of the relationships between them. The results of this study show that there is no significant connection between teleworking and the
impact it can have on employees of a South African bank's level of job satisfaction. According to the analysis, work competence, emotional support, trust, and equity are all positively correlated with job satisfaction. There isn't much evidence to suggest that work and home borders are advantageous. Additionally, there was no statistically significant correlation between job satisfaction and having a suitable home workspace, technological aid, or training to perform the jobMM202
The perceived impact of artificial intelligence on operations performance in the South African life insurance industry
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in the field of Digital Business to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, 2022Organisations are increasingly implementing AI applications in their operations in order to stay competitive. The Covid-19 pandemic has further fuelled the implementations of AI technologies. However, do these applications improve the operation’s performance of an organisation? The study investigates how managers and employees that have implemented AI technologies within life insurance organisations perceive AI to have impacted their operations performance. Operations performance measures used by the study are cost, quality, speed, flexibility, and dependability. A qualitative methodology was undertaken by the study, using in-depth interviews that were made up of open-ended questions. The participants that contributed to the study were selected based on their profile and experience with AI technologies and in the life insurance industry. The findings of the study show that AI technologies generally improved operations performance. However, it must be noted that AI implementations come at a very high cost. Therefore, using cost savings as a sole use case driver is discouraged. Also, AI must not be implemented to improve inefficient business processes. Lastly, the quality of data to be used by the AI application is essential to the success of the project. In conclusion, managers and employees that have implemented and/or used AI technologies in the life insurance industry perceive AI to have improved operations performance of their organisations. An improved operations performance helps the organisation to stay competitive among its peers.PC(2023)MM202
Understanding factors that influence digital banking user intention: a South African banking perspective
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in the field of Digital Business to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023In an increasingly digital landscape, retail banks in South Africa need to keep abreast of the factors that influence consumers digital banking usage intention. According to existing literature, the most prominent factors include economic value, social influence, firm reputation, product features, product rewards and perceived ease of use. This study aims to explain the relationship between these variables and whether a user’s intention to use digital banking is influenced by these factors at the start of their decision-making journey. In order to assess the impact of each of these factors, an online survey was distributed to students from a South African university. The online survey used a 5-point Likert scale to measure statements related to each variable. A cross-sectional approach to data collection was preferred. There were 191 respondents that completed the survey. Majority of respondents in this study were African females between the ages of 18 and 24. 98% of respondents indicated that they use digital banking. The key findings indicated that social influence, firm reputation, product features and perceived ease of use did in fact influence consumers digital banking usage intention in South Africa. However, economic value and product rewards were found to be statistically insignificant. It was therefore concluded that banks should focus on strategies that improve these factors to attract and retain customers, especially within the younger generation.MM202
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