Tesi sul tema "South African Burea of Standards"

Sustainability reporting is becoming increasingly important, and governments and stock exchanges of many countries require or strongly encourage businesses to provide some level of sustainability reporting. South Africa is one of few emerging market economies and the only country in Africa which show substantial sustainability reporting activities. In South Africa, sustainable development has been recognised at a constitutional and legislative level. Companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) must integrate sustainability reporting with financial reporting, or explain why they are not complying. Establishing a suitable sustainability reporting framework should therefore be part of the strategic integration of sustainability with other aspects of organisational planning and decision-making. This study suggests such a framework of standards and indicators for sustainability reporting in South African businesses, and evaluates it in South African listed companies. Mixed methods research was used in two phases. In phase 1, a critical analysis of the literature produced a framework of standards and indicators to be used as a measure to evaluate sustainability reporting in South Africa. In phase 2, first hand, original data was collected by performing a quantitative content analysis of sustainability reports of 84 companies listed on the Johannesburg stock exchange with the aim to identify standards and indicators that are applied in the content of sustainability reports in South Africa. Quantitative content analysis involves analysing material and then classifying it into various coding units or themes found in the material - it is a systematic way of converting text to numerical variables for quantitative data analysis.

The EAPA-SA Standards document had been formulated by The Standards Committee of EAPA-SA for the first time in 1999. Two revised editions have been developed since. Even though the concept of standards originated in the USA, South Africa was one of the first countries to follow suit in creating a formal framework of practice for employee assistance practitioners. The goal of this study was to explore the EAP practices of the members of EAPA-SA, benchmarked against the different EAPA-SA standards, as part of the projected third revision process. The project was conducted as part of a group research project launched by four students, registered for a master s programme in EAPs offered by the Department of Social Work and Criminology at the University of Pretoria. Each participating student focused on a particular category of standards under the supervision of Prof Lourie Terblanche who was previously President of EAPA-SA and the programme manager of the mentioned master s programme. The researcher studied the category of Implementation standards which consisted of policy, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the implementation plan. The findings of this study are truly reflective of the stage of application of these standards in the country, as the majority of responses were reasonably above the average percentile. This signifies the seriousness of the members in distinguishing themselves as professionals in practice. The evidence was witnessed and confirmed by the resounding responses of acknowledging the existence of policy in the workplace, followed by the confirmation of participation in the policy formulation. This behaviour indicates a grounded understanding of the mandates of the EAPA-SA standards as the policy sets the tone of the EAP in an organisation. The acknowledgement of covering all categories of EAP standards during the development of SOPS by the members was another significant finding that gave evidence that the members are ensuring the implementation of a well-rounded EA programme. The researcher also found that a great majority of these members had an implementation plan in place and that the plan covered all core technologies as prescribed by the Standards of EAPA-SA. The findings also unearthed the policy; the SOPs and implementation plan were not just developed but the members followed through and revised all these sub-standards. In summary, like any other growing profession there are still gaps that the researcher identified in the minority of responses such as the non-existence of policy, the lack of understanding of the difference between policy and SOPs, and the lack of existence of the implementation plan. Recommendations were made to the EAPA-SA Board in order to fill these gaps and to assist in updating the EAPA-SA standards.
Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2015.
Social Work and Criminology
MSW
Unrestricted

An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a work-based programme designed to assist employees to identify and resolve both personal and work-related problems that might have a negative impact on performance. In order for the EAP to function effectively there is an identified need for a team of qualified, experiencedand dedicated professionals who are registered with the relevant statutory bodies, who abide by the codes of conduct as well as take cognisance of any issues of confidentiality and proper record maintenance for the success of the programme. Thestudy was conducted amongst EAPA-SA members to benchmark and explore the practice of the management and administration standard as prescribed by EAPA-SA Standards, as well as to identify any operational challenges in adhering to the above standards. A literature review outlines the history of EAPs in South Africa, the definition of concepts, discussions on the seven categories of management and administration standard as well as the theoretical framework upon which the study was grounded namely, General Systems Theory (GST). A quantitative, exploratory research approach was applied to identify and benchmark challenges in the field of practice, in implementing the management and administration standard of the EAPA-SA.The population included EAPA-SA members from both the public and private sectors. A structured questionnaire was administered electronically, using Qualtrics software. The research findings indicated that EAPA-SA members are aware of the standards document of EAPA-SA and make reference to the document on a regular basis during their practice. Positive highlights include the professional development activities that were considered, proper management of confidentiality and recordkeeping as well as knowledge of and compliance with the ethical requirements as outlined by Standards Committee of the EAPA-SA.However, challenges were experienced in terms of staffing the EAP units, which were reported to be understaffed; there was insufficient consultation and supervision for support and professional growth and it transpired that members do not have indemnity insurance for protection during litigation. EAPA-SA should considertheinitiative to introduce an undergraduate EAP degree to promote the establishment of a pool of qualified professionals at entry level, monitoring and evaluating compliance with the standards document by both the public and private sectors as well as marketing of the EAPA chapter branches to increase membership in order to create a platform for networking, learningas well as providing professional support.
Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2015.
Social Work and Criminology
MSW
Unrestricted

Many organisations are continuously searching for methods which can be used to improve performance. The balanced scorecard is a management system that enables organisations to clarify their vision and strategy and translate them into action. When fully deployed, the balanced scorecard transforms strategic planning from an academic exercise into the nerve centre of an enterprise. A prerequisite for implementing a balanced scorecard is a clear understanding of the organisations vision and strategy. The basis for the vision and the strategy should be the holistic view and the information management receives during systematic strategy work. The research study addresses the integration of South African Airways (SAA) strategy with the performance management system. A comprehensive literature study was performed on performance management and the balanced scorecard. Questionnaires, developed from the literature study, were distributed amongst randomly selected respondents, in order to establish the extent to which South African Airways manages performance. The opinions of the various respondents were compared with the guidelines provided by the literature study in order to identify the best approach of performance measurement to be implemented at South African Airways. The final step of this study entailed the formulation of recommendations. These recommendations are regarded as critical to ensure the successful implementation of a performance management system at South African Airways. The following main recommendations were made: Although the empirical study revealed that South African Airways shares its strategic objectives with its management, it is highly recommended that a balanced scorecard should be used as a measuring approach for performance at South African Airways; Before any organisation can start implementing a balanced scorecard it needs a clear understanding of its vision and strategy. It is the management’s responsibility to define a vision, formulate a strategy and set strategic goals regardless of a balanced scorecard being implemented; The implementation of a balanced scorecard should always be organised as a separate project. Several different procedures describing the building process of a balanced scorecard have been presented. The research shows that, to increase the chance of a successful scorecard implementation, regular feedback must be provided to all employees and managers must hold people accountable for using the system.

Hencke, Rutkowski, Neuschmidt and Gonzalez (2009) make the important remark that the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) examines the effectiveness of curriculum and instruction in relation to student achievement. There is increasing global interest in and attention paid to the resultant rankings of participating countries, making the very participation in TIMSS a high-stake local decision. As a consequence of the heightened (political and educational) stakes, the relevance of the tests to local curricula has come under sharp scrutiny, which makes the issue of alignment of the South African (SA) curriculum with TIMSS important for educators, curriculum workers, test developers and policymakers. Hencke et al. (2009) concede upfront that whilst TIMSS assessments were developed to represent an agreed-upon framework with as much in common across countries as possible, it was inevitable that the match between test and curriculum would not be identical in all countries. However, the more aligned a national curriculum is to what is common across countries the greater the chance of that country’s students performing well. In other words, rather than reject the common core assessments as irrelevant it might be beneficial to investigate in depth what discrepancies exist between SA’s curricula and TIMSS, with special focus on the overlapping content.Mullis, Martin, Ruddock, O’Sullivan and Preuschoff (2009) refer to the TIMSS curriculum model as consisting of an intended curriculum, an implemented curriculum and an attained curriculum, all of which are familiar terms in curriculum theory. For instance, Porter (2004, p. 1) suggests that a curriculum can be divided into four aspects: the intended, enacted, assessed and learned curriculum. The enacted curriculum refers to instructional events in the classroom whereas the assessed curriculum refers to student achievement tests. Mullis et al.’s (2009) attained curriculum refers to student achievement in those tests. For cross-national tests such as TIMSS to be valid, it is critical that their assessed curricula correspond with the intended national curricula. Moreover, assessments aligned with the assessment standards can guide instruction and raise achievement (Martone & Sireci, 2009; Polikoff, Porter & Smithson, 2011). In view of the foregoing it is expected that, in order to be relevant, cross-national studies or tests should provide curriculum information that can help countries to improve the quality of their education systems on the basis of benchmarking performance (Reddy, 2006). This makes curriculum matching analysis a logical starting point.

This study entitled Non-clinical service practice standards in South African Employee Assistance Programmes was conducted by Moses Dumisani Kubheka following a discussion between the study leader Prof. Terblanche and the MSW class of 2012. It was however, discovered that EAPA-SA Standards document has merely been based on work study group and document analysis. The need for empirical study was therefore necessitated. The goal of the study was to explore through benchmarking the extent to which non-clinical services are implemented in the practice in a South African context. This research had an applied research goal since the findings will bring about improvement in the field of EAP. The study was approached in a quantitative paradigm. The study had an explorative and descriptive research purpose. A survey design was applied in the study and non-experimental design as no variable were manipulated. An on-line questionnaire was compiled after an intense literature review on non-clinical services was conducted. The questionnaire was designed using Qualtrics an IT software programme for on-line collection and analysis of quantitative data. (See annexure 4). No sampling was done as all registered EAPA-SA members for the year 2014 were involved in the study. Participants were provided with the link to access the on-line questionnaire and complete it anonymously. The data from completed questionnaires were cleaned and all which were 30 minutes and less were eliminated as the criteria that was set during piloting was 45 minutes and more. The total of 64 responses were analysed; interpreted and presented in a form of tables. It has been discovered through empirical study that, the majority of EAPA-SA membership is females form public sector. Some of the respondents are not directly involved on the production level, but occupies positions as managers and related fields, consultants responsible for training and lecturing in the field of EAP, while others are responsible for the EAP and wellness field in a combined manner. The majority of the respondents (60%) is aware of the EAPA-SA Standards document, however, respondents with more years of experience in the EAP field seem not to utilise the EAPA-SA Standards document, but solely rely on their experience. Reasons and views for non-utilisation of the Standards document, ranged from no access to the Standards document, not aware of the Standards document and the impracticality of the Standards document. Organisational consultation practice as a core technology is confirmed by most of the respondents (48%). A structured process during organisational consultation is confirmed by 45%. Some of the respondents responded that consultation is seen as Human Resource Management function and if practiced, its only in crisis situation. Dependents of employees are less involved during consultation. HR matters in general, seem to be the matter most frequently consulted about. Training seem to be practice by the majority of the respondents across all sectors. Reasons for no EAP training ranged from: not part of the policy, lack of knowledge, nor part of SOP, capacity limitation, no independent EAP section, not the role of the consultant and training is too expensive. First-line supervisors seem to be group mostly targeted during supervisory training and EAP services, confidentiality, role of supervisors and referral procedure seem to be the most common content of training. Moreover, data projector, training manuals and brochures seem to be the most utilised training aids, whilst role-plays, emails, case study seem to be less frequently utilised. Marketing of EAP in practice is done by internal EAP staff in almost all sectors. Marketing strategy is confirmed by the majority from full-time private practice, while application of the seven Ps of marketing mix is confirmed only by 37% of EAP professionals and mostly from the public sector which may be an indication of limited knowledge of theoretical concept. Meetings, brochures and internet seem to be the methods commonly utilised to market EAP.
Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2015.
Social Work and Criminology
MSW
Unrestricted

Employee Assistance Programmes are considered to have grown immensely since an EAP was first introduced in 1986 and formally structured (EAPA-SA, 2010). The first EAPA-SA standards document was developed in 1999 and revised in 2005 and 2010 to ensure it reflects local and international best practices. The goal of the study was to explore the EAP practices of EAPA-SA members benchmarked against EAPA-SA standards. A survey was conducted by a group of students with EAP professionals, specifically registered as EAPA-SA members in 2014, under the supervision of Prof. L. S. Terblanche. The researcher identified the need to benchmark existing EAP practices against the EAPA-SA Standards document to assess whether these practices fulfil their purpose. The research focused on assessing the Monitoring and Evaluation standards of EAPs as applied in SA practices, benchmarked against EAPA-SA standards. The findings reveal less than half of respondents confirmed the existence of a monitoring and evaluation strategy in their practices. Less than half confirmed that monitoring is performed by their EAPs. Evaluation responses were alarming, as few confirmed evaluation of their EAPs. EAP core technologies are also covered by but a few respondents. Internal EAP practitioners were identified as the main persons responsible for monitoring and evaluation. Low percentages of respondents confirmed carrying out EAP evaluations. Avoidance of monitoring and evaluation may be due to anxieties and embarrassment that could arise from any negative findings of the EAP. It is crucial to engage outside, trained evaluators for programme monitoring and evaluation for the purpose of objective programme evaluation.
Mini Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Social Work and Criminology
MSW
Unrestricted

Lack of quality in the South African construction industry is causing various problems for different stakeholders. The causes of this lack in quality are due to various different attributes. Corruption has become one of the leading causes with regards to lack of quality. Quality assurance can mitigate or eliminate defects through the implementation of a quality management system. Defects manifest primarily through cracking, dampness, detachment, and water leaks. Defects are categorized as structural, subsidence, acoustic and thermal. In terms of time, defects are either patent or latent, and can be discovered through observation, inspection and various tests. The causes of defects are ultimately due to error or omission, either during design or during the construction phases. Defects may also result due to procurement related factors, such as appointment of incompetent contractors. The result of defects is customer dissatisfaction, rework and disputes. Non-conformance to requirements results in rework and this in turn contributes to time and cost overruns. The aim of this research was to investigate the greatest cause that leads to defects in houses; the most common type of defect; and why projects fail in term of project management terms (due to defects). Results of quantitative research amongst professionals within the construction industry in the Western and Eastern Cape of South Africa as well as literature that has been reviewed form the basis of this study. Architectural practices, consulting engineering practices, and general building contractors were selected on a random sample basis, and surveyed using an online questionnaire. The study revealed that inadequate artisan skills is the biggest cause leading to defects in houses, and that cracks are the most frequent type of defect occurring. Projects fail in project management terms because of defects as the construction time of the projects are increased. The study revealed that construction related causes of defects dominate over design related causes. This study should be of value to both construction industry professionals as well as their clients.

Research problem: The restructuring of an organisation can be classified as a transformational intervention (Litwin & Burke, 1992). As such is it has a potential to significantly influence key employee attitudes that are related to employee and organisational performance. Any deterioration in these attitudes could impact negatively on organisational outcomes. As part of the monitoring and review of change interventions, management needs to understand the change in employee attitudes towards their work and management in their business units and towards the broader organisation in order that, if necessary, corrective action can be taken. Research objectives: To address the research problem, research objectives and questions were established. The main objective of the study was to investigate whether there has been a change in attitudes of employees in two business units of a South African National Science Council after the implementation of restructuring in the organisation and the business units. The key attitudes to be measured are job and management satisfaction, perceived organisational support, organisational commitment and a dimension of employee engagement, dedication. Research questions: Four research questions were established and these were; What is the change in employee attitudes post-restructuring? In particular what is the change in employee job satisfaction; management satisfaction, employee engagement, commitment to the organisation and perceived organisational support? What is the relationship between the sub-groups, distinguished by gender, occupational level, race, home language, age, number of years of service and business unit, and employee attitudes pre-restructuring? What is the relationship between the sub-groups distinguished by gender, occupational level, race, home language, age, number of years of service and business unit, and employee attitudes post-restructuring? What is the relationship between the sub-groups distinguished by gender, occupational level, race, home language, age, number of years of service and business unit, and the change in employee attitudes pre and post-restructuring? Research design: The nature of this research is descriptive. In order to solve the research questions the researcher used a pre-test and post-test measurement of employee attitudes. A survey using a structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information regarding employee attitudes before and after the restructuring of the organisation and business units. Major findings: The results from the survey showed that there was a change in the levels of organisational commitment, job satisfaction and management satisfaction at the National Science Council after the restructuring had taken place. Also, the impact of the sub-groups in the organisation on affective factors was evident in the level of occupation and employee engagement, race and management satisfaction, the business unit and the levels of perceived organisational support, management satisfaction and employee engagement, home language and employee engagement, the number of years the employee had worked for the organisation and management satisfaction, age and job satisfaction and employee engagement.

This research was conducted with the intention of accomplishing effective property management (PM) in order for public sector properties in South Africa (SA) SA to fulfil more remarkably, public sector property stakeholders’ requirements. In particular, this study was concluded within a South African municipal environment with the specific purpose of alleviating South African municipalities from problems associated with overall poor operational performance, dissatisfied public sector property stakeholders, and inadequacies in competitiveness and global alignment. The primary objective of this study was to develop a performance model deemed necessary for the effective management of public sector properties in SA. This was achieved by developing a performance model for effective management of public sector properties, a model to systematically monitor, measure and control current expectations and changes within a public sector property management function. Herewith, performance model for effective management of public sector properties in South Africa. At the time of conducting this study, there was no conceptual model developed for performance management of public sector properties. In order to develop the performance model, the conceptual model identified key elements that included: 1) obsolescence and strategic factors; 2) global alignment; 3) finance and cost control; 4) PESTEL impact; 5) transformation and sustainability; 6) leadership and governance; and 7) monitoring, measurement and control as influences that directly impact a perceived successful management of public sector properties in SA. The study also took the form of a quantitative research project that included a formal survey of the identified population sample. The main statistical procedure employed was Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Originally, the study offered 24 hypotheses; however, only 11 hypotheses could be confirmed by SEM measurement. Therefore, through SEM, the significance of the relationships between variables could be tested. Appropriate quantitative data were collected from public and private South African Built Environment professionals, students and other academics. The research made use of snowball sampling through questionnaires, with a sample size of 171. It is anticipated that findings of this study will be acknowledged by public sector PM in an effort to resolve PM problems through the incorporation of pertinent recommendations. Likewise, since the performance model for effective management of public sector properties was not extant prior to this study, this research is cutting-edge and therefore pioneering to PM, especially within the public sector.

In this study, I examine whether the mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in a country where local Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is of similar quality to IFRS is associated with changes in the comparability of financial statements. I also investigate the sources of any changes in the comparability of financial statements. I use data from South Africa, where, word for word, prior to the mandatory adoption of IFRS, local GAAP was the same as IFRS, and enforcement remained unchanged. I use two different measures of comparability, one based on accounting data (accruals-cash flow measure) and the other based on both accounting data and market data (earnings-return measure). I compare South African firms with two different groups, namely other mandatory IFRS adopters and non-adopters. My data show evidence of an increase in the comparability of the financial statements of South African firms with those of both adopters (both measures) and non-adopters (the earnings-return measure) following the mandatory adoption of IFRS. In additional analysis, I found a global increase in the comparability of firms' financial statements that is consistent with market changes unrelated to IFRS adoption as one of the sources of the increase in comparability. Moreover, an incremental increase in the comparability of the financial statements of South African firms after the mandatory adoption of IFRS, relative to the increase in the comparability of the financial statements of non-adopting firms, is consistent with benefits from using the IFRS "label" and with the expanded IFRS network as sources of increased comparability.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Accounting
PhD
Unrestricted

An institutional repository is seen as a valuable tool to manage digital resources within the organisational context. Repositories can have a positive or negative influence on how an institution manages its digital material in relation to accessibility and dissemination of digital material. The functionality and status quo of digital repositories can be assessed and measured based on specific guidelines to determine practicality and efficacy. The guidelines used in this regard are known as international repository assessment standards. These standards have been developed by leading organisations that specialise in knowledge creation to develop controlled, consensus-based, market-relevant international standards that can be used to support innovation and provide resolutions to global challenges. In the event where an institution wishes to assess its digital repository using international standards, the underlying purpose of the assessment exercise is for the digital repository to gain trust accreditation. This study aimed to develop a South African digital repository trust assessment model based on the criteria of international standards. This study investigated the level of trust compliance that a very small sample of South African digital repositories met – using the developed model. The investigation process is also aimed at receiving feedback (in the form of recommendations) from digital repository managers to improve the developed model to make it more useful for South African digital repositories. Furthermore, the study intended to yield further research into the complex topic of digital repository assessment based on international standards. Overall, this research study revealed that South African digital repositories are not far off in complying with the full requirements of international repository assessment standards.
Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2016.
Carnigie
Information Science
MIT
Unrestricted

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
Higher education institutions in South Africa have invested heavily in information technology and information systems, with variable outcomes. Organisations in other sectors, such as engineering, the defence industry, public administration and business, have developed and adopted standards and guides to good practice for the development and operation of software-based systems. In the history of standards-making there was an early vision of the need to extend standardisation beyond software engineering into the world that acquires and uses systems, and yet the overall scope of available standards is still limited. Seeing slow progress in the international committees that develop nationally-endorsed standards (such as ISO-IEC/JTC1/SC7) practitioner communities moved to develop good practice guides such as COBIT and ITIL, that have found considerable interest in progressive organisations. Hence a range of potential guidance is available. In order to assess the extent to which standards and good practice guides might assist higher education, the four tertiary institutions in the Western Cape were approached and a representative range of academic, administrative and managerial individuals agreed to contribute to the study as respondents. Interviews were organised in two parts: the first an open conversation about their involvement with systems, and the second a structured examination of systems-related events that they considered significant. By inspection of those events, bipolar scales were developed by which respondents were able to characterise events (for example as ‘challenging’ or ‘easy’, or as ‘functional’ or ‘dysfunctional’). Respondents rated events on those scales. Repertory Grid analysis was applied so as to investigate which scales correlated with event success. 30 scales (out of 170) proved to be adequately correlated with success, and by principal component analysis they were combined to form nine ‘success scale’ groups, indicating nine areas where the deployment of standards or good practice guides might be expected to lead to more effective use of improved information systems. The study adopted an abductive approach to the work, keeping open the question of what might be the contribution to knowledge. In the event, a new Reference Model emerged from the data analysis that contributes to the effective choice and management of standards and good practice guides .A review of available standards and good practice guides using the new Reference Model concludes that the good practice guides are more applicable than the internationally developed standards, and in some areas management models and frameworks have a contribution to make. The utility of standards, good practice guides and management models will depend on the circumstances and context of use, which are extremely variable. A portfolio approach to the management of information systems provides a means to deal with that variability. It is further found that the IMBOK1 can be used to assess the linkages between information technology, information systems, business processes, business benefits and business strategy. The new Reference Model has a role to play in resolving the need for standards in the four junctions between those five IMBOK domains. Selected standards are assessed in that way, and an illustrative commentary is provided showing how projects and other systems-related initiatives can be assessed using the new Reference Model and the IMBOK.
Carnegie Corporation of New York

A key incentive for accounting research is to provide evidence on the usefulness of earnings in making economic decisions. Of particular interest over the last two decades is the issue of the quality of financial reporting, specifically the quality of earnings, given the number of global financial scandals reported during that period. The quality of earnings is driven by the choices, estimates and judgments that the accounting standards make available to managers in order to portray the firm’s economic position and performance in a timely and credible manner. However, this leeway in financial reporting also creates opportunities for earnings management. The objective of this thesis is firstly to establish whether earnings manipulation has had the ability to predict cross-sectional returns in South Africa during the 2007-2014 period. In other words, the purpose of this thesis is to find evidence whether the market reacts to earnings management practices, as measured by accruals, and rewards high earnings quality companies with higher equity returns (a process known as the accrual anomaly). The timeframe selected for the research encompasses the global financial crisis, a period in which accounting manipulation incentives are likely to be strong. Secondly, this study attempts to establish the presence of the accrual anomaly amongst growth and value firms. The motivations for earnings management of the former are expected to be strong. Securities are allocated to portfolios according to accruals and the subsequent equity returns are analysed cross-sectionally to establish the existence of the accrual anomaly and hence assessing the usefulness of earnings manipulation in predicting equity returns. To provide evidence for the presence of the accrual anomaly amongst growth and value shares, securities are independently allocated to portfolios according to their book-to-market ratio and accruals and a cross-sectional analysis is performed on their subsequent equity returns. In order to increase the robustness of the tests, two measures of accruals are used: a balance sheet approach and a cash flow measure. Evidence is provided for the presence of the accrual anomaly among South African listed companies for the balance sheet measure of accruals but not the cash flow approach. Whilst the accrual anomaly is significantly present in a growth-neutral-value construct, statistical significance is not established when growth and value shares are considered individually.

Includes bibliographical references.
Public examinations, such as the South African Senior Certificate (SC) examinations at the end of Grade 12, signal two messages to the society in which they operate: first, the competencies that are valued, that is, its standards; second, the required level of mastery in these competencies that are construed as indicators of success. The SC examinations certified successful students as competent to enter the workforce and, if they obtained a matriculation exemption, qualified them for admission to tertiary study. The SC was not a part of an explicit standards-based curriculum, and there is thus little understanding, but much public speculation, about the relationship between student achievement in the SC examinations, competency and standards. In an attempt to understand this relationship - with a particular focus on the role of standards - in the SC Biology examinations over a period of time, the answer to the following research question was sought: What did the SC Biology examinations in South Africa assess; did their focus change during the period 1994 to 2007; and, if so, what did this change mean?. Both in South Africa and internationally, "standards" is an often-used educational term, the meaning of which has become confused in the literature and by public use. In this study, a methodology to make explicit the standards inherent within the SC Biology examinations - and the relationship between standards and student achievement - was developed, described and applied.

The fundamental objective of this thesis is to determine whether the requirements for thermal comfort in housing in South Arica will provide for the necessary levels of energy efficiency. The effectiveness of various thermal design measures in achieving improvements in energy efficiency is evaluated. These measures are developed into a proposed energy efficiency standard. An estimate is made of the reduction in greenhouse gases which might result from the implementation of such a standard. This may constitute a project which might be accredited and traded in terms of United Nations protocols. Electrical energy consumption in South Africa continues to grow at a rate which may necessitate that new generating capacity is on stream by 2007. It is shown that improvements in the energy efficiency of upper income houses will reduce the demand for electricity during peak hours. It is proposed that the progression of shack dwelling families to energy efficient formal housing, in conjunction with an appliance switch to more fuel efficient energy sources, will generate reductions in non-renewable coal and wood based fuel burning. As a result less localized air pollution will probably occur. In this study three types of house are analysed for their thermal comfort in hot and cold conditions. The energy efficiency and the affordability of heating these houses in winter is also investigated. The climatic variations between the regions of South Africa have been analysed in terms of the local thermal neutrality and indoor heating and cooling requirements. Criteria for measurement of comfort requirements and energy efficiency are developed. The ability of various thermal design measures necessary to effect thermal comfort and energy efficiency, has been analysed using the Building Toolbox software. The objective of the simulations was to maintain internal temperatures within the confines of local thermal neutrality with a minimum of heating. This methodology has given rise to the proposed intervention standards. The proposed standards and range of compliance methods will allow designers a high degree of flexibility. Architects will be able to make use of thermal mass, thermal insulation/resistance, variations in window size, etc. to achieve the required levels of energy efficiency. One proposed method of compliance check will be the so called Star Rating System. If properly promoted, the Star Rating System could lead to energy efficiency becoming an important attribute in the housing resale market. The results of an opinion survey among the members of the Thermal Insulation Association of South Mica (TIASA) indicated a high degree of consensus around the proposals. Comparison with the energy codes of foreign jurisdictions shows the proposals to be conservative. Given that power generating capacity will need to be expanded, it must be expected that electrical costs will escalate. This will effectively make such energy efficiency measures cheaper. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that substantial reductions in carbon based energy consumption will take place if energy efficiency targets are to be built into the South African National Building Regulations. The standards which are proposed in this thesis will also bring about improvements in thermal comfort, productivity and the well-being of the entire community.
Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

This dissertation explores South African financial reporting students reading comprehension of the IASB s Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting (Framework) and selected International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). In particular, this dissertation investigates differences in reading comprehension of various demographic groups, using the Cloze procedure. Analysis of differences in reading comprehension scores on the Framework revealed statistically significant differences between reading comprehension by language of instruction and the attendance, or not, of prior reading courses. When exploring the selected IFRS s, statistically significant differences were identified for prior academic performance, language of instruction, first language and enrolment in the Thuthuka programme. In a heterogeneous financial reporting class, where such differences between student groups are present, instructors may need to consider implementing differentiated instruction in developing reading comprehension. Although this dissertation considers South African students, the results may be of interest in other multicultural or multilingual environments, particularly where students also have diverse traits and backgrounds and have to comprehend learning material in a second language.
Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2015.
Accounting
MCom
Unrestricted

Thesis (MNutr--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction Malnutrition, in both adults and children, is a problem worldwide with negative health consequences. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) therefore initiated the implementation of country-specific food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) to be used as an educational tool to address nutrition-related health issues. They further suggested consumer testing to evaluate the comprehension and cultural acceptability thereof prior to the release of country-specific FBDGs. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were recommended for consumer testing. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the comprehension and applicability of the 2007 version of the preliminary South African paediatric food-based dietary guidelines (PFBDGs) for healthy infants aged 6–12 months in Soshanguve and Ga-Rankuwa. Specific objectives included qualitative evaluation of exposure to preliminary PFBDGs, participants’ interpretation thereof, cultural acceptability and practical application of the guidelines. Socio-demographic information was collected to determine whether these factors could potentially exert an influence on the comprehension and applicability of the FBDGs. This study could further inform emerging efforts to update public health initiatives to educate mothers/caregivers of infants. Methodology An observational, cross-sectional study design was followed, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research methods. FGDs were utilised to assess comprehension of the PFBDGs and gather insight into perceptions, attitudes and appropriateness of the PFBDGs. Quantitative data were collected by means of a questionnaire regarding the socio-demographic profiles of participants. Setting This study focused on two small, densely populated towns, Soshanguve and Ga-Rankuwa, in the north western district of Tshwane in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The areas represent relatively low socio-economic communities that include a mix of formal and informal urban setting. Participants Twenty-seven Northern Sotho-speaking mothers and caregivers of infants aged 6–12 months participated in a total of six FGDs. Each FGD was attended by between three and six participants. Results None of the participants had previous exposure to the PFBDGs, although they were familiar with most of the concepts. Guidelines were generally well received and understood, but a few were misinterpreted; particularly those pertaining to “enjoy time with your baby”, “increase your baby’s meals to five times per day” and “teach your baby to drink from a cup”. These needed further explanation and rephrasing by the investigator to improve their comprehensibility. The guideline pertaining to breastfeeding was the most familiar, well accepted and most generally applied. Quantitative results indicated no significant difference between the socio-demographic profiles of participants in Soshanguve and Ga-Rankuwa. Participants’ education level, employment status and housing conditions were considered a good representation of the population. It appears that socio-demographic circumstances may affect exposure to, and interpretation and application of the PFBDGs. Conclusion Many of the adjustments recommended from this research is consistent with the changes incorporated in the recently published revised PFBDGs. Supportive documentation, educational material and health campaigns tailored to specific socio-demographic groups may further enhance the interpretation of the revised guidelines and their exposure to the public, once tested and adopted.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding Wanvoeding onder kinders en volwassenes, is ʼn wêreldwye probleem wat, as dit nie aangespreek word nie, ernstige gesondheidsgevolge kan inhou. Die Wêreldgesondheidsorganisasie (WGO) en die Voedsel-en-landbou-organisasie (VLO) het die implementering van voedselgebaseerde dieetriglyne (VGDR) spesifiek aan elke land geïnisieer sodat dit as opleidingshulpmiddel kan dien om voedselverwante gesondheidsprobleme op te los. Daar is voorgestel dat verbruikers die riglyne in fokusgroepbesprekings (FGBs) evalueer om begrip en die kulturele toepaslikheid van bevolking-spesifieke riglyne te toets voordat dit bekendgestel word. Doel Die doel van die studie was om begrip en die toepassing van die 2007 weergawe van die voorlopige Suid-Afrikaanse pediatriese voedselgebaseerde dieetriglyne (PVGDR) vir gesonde kinders van 6–12 maande te bepaal. Spesifieke doelwitte het kwalitatiewe evaluering ten opsigte van blootstelling, deelnemers se interpretasie, kulturele aanvaarbaarheid en praktiese toepassing van die riglyne ingesluit. Sosiodemografiese inligting is ingesamel om te bepaal of daar ʼn verband bestaan tussen hierdie omstandighede en die begrip en toepassing van PVGDR’s. Hierdie studie kan toekomstige pogings ondersteun om openbare-gesondheidsprogramme by te werk en om moeders en versorgers oor babas in te lig. Ontwerp Die studieontwerp was ’n waarnemende deursnit met kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetodes. FGBs was gebruik om die begrip van die PVGDR’s te bepaal en insigte oor die persepsies, houdings en geskiktheid van die PVGDR’s in te samel. Kwantitatiewe data is ingesamel met ʼn vraelys oor die sosiodemografiese profiele van deelnemers. Omgewing Die studie het gefokus op twee klein, digbevolkte stedelike gebiede, Soshanguve en Ga-Rankuwa in Tshwane, die noord-westelike distrik van die provinsie Gauteng in Suid-Afrika. Die areas verteenwoordig relatief lae sosio-ekonomiese gemeenskappe met ʼn mengsel van formele en informele stedelike nedersettings. Deelnemers Die studiegroep het 27 Noord-Sotho-sprekende moeders en versorgers ingesluit wat aan altesaam 6 FGB’s deelgeneem het. Tussen drie en ses deelnemers het elke FGB bygewoon. Resultate Geen deelnemers was voorheen aan PVGDR’s blootgestel nie, hoewel die meerderheid met meeste van die begrippe bekend was. Die riglyne was oor die algemeen goed aanvaar en verstaanbaar, maar ʼn paar was verkeerd geïnterpreteer; veral “geniet tyd saam met jou baba”, “vermeerder jou baba se maaltye na vyf kere per dag” en “leer jou baba om uit ʼn koppie te drink”. Verduideliking en herformulering was nodig om begrip te verbeter. Die riglyne oor borsvoeding was die bekendste, was die beste aanvaar en was in die algemeen toegepas. Kwantitatiewe resultate het aangedui dat die sosiodemografiese profiel van deelnemers uit Soshanguve en dié uit Ga-Rankuwa nie beduidend verskil nie. Deelnemers se opleidingsvlak, werkloosheidstatus en huislike omstandighede het die populasie goed verteenwoordig. Daar is bevind dat sosiodemografiese omstandighede blootstelling aan en begrip en toepassing van PVGDR’s kan beïnvloed. Gevolgtrekking Baie van die wysigings wat voorgestel is deur hierdie studie, stem ooreen met die verandering wat aangebring is in die onlangs gepubliseerde hersiene PVGDR’s. Ondersteunende dokumente, opvoedkundige materiaal en gesondheidsveldtogte vir spesifieke sosiodemografiese groepe sal die korrekte interpretasie van riglyne asook openbare bewusmaking bevorder. Die riglyne kan, met minimale aanpassings, suksesvol as ʼn voedingsverwante opvoedkundige hulpmiddel in die gemeenskap gebruik word. Baie van hierdie aanpassings is reeds aangebring tydens die ontwikkeling van die veranderde PVGDR’s. Die bevindinge van die studie kan ʼn kernbydrae tot die voorstelle lewer, en aanduidings vir voorstelle vir verdere ontwikkeling en evaluering oplewer.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although terms such as input, output, outcomes, productivity, quality, efficiency and effectiveness represent measures of performance, they also measure different aspects of performance. The question of the relevance of the measurement of performance for the South African Police Service (SAPS) invariably arises. The following three questions have, therefore, been formulated: • What is the relevance of performance measurement for the SAPS? • Which performance measurement determinants must be addressed and integrated into the process of performance measurement in the SAPS? • How could performance measurement improve the rendering of service? The purpose of the exploratory study was to provide a conceptual framework for performance measurement by developing a systematic and comprehensive performance measurement system (model) for the SAPS which will have longterm advantages for both the SAPS and the customers and/or communities they serve. The key aims were, "therefore, threefold: • To ensure that the SAPS is fulfilling its mission and accomplishing targeted results. • To measure police performance (successes) in respect of input, output, outcomes, effectiveness and efficiency which will have a direct impact on the combating of crime and is of value to customers and/or communi ties served by the police. • To compare a newly developed and pilot-tested model with the present performance measurement initiative used by the SAPS to prove that the new model has promise. Face-to-face and focus group interviews were conducted with 16 English and Welsh individuals. In addition, face-to-face and focus group interviews were also conducted with 12 police officials of the SAPS in order to determine the current state of affairs regarding police performance measurement. As part of the inductive study and to focus on the formulated questions and purpose, as well as to account for the data, three hypotheses were formulated for this study. The newly developed model will, therefore, enable the establishment of the extent to which: • Resources (human and physical) could be used effectively and efficiently by focussing on performance measurement. • Police operations and activities could be improved on an ongoing basis by focussing on targeted results. • Police operations and activities will have a positive impact on the combating of crime. A conceptual performance measurement framework was developed which reflects the fulfilment of the SAPS's mission and the accomplishment of targeted results. This model also measures the performance (successes) of the SAPS in respect of input, output, outcomes, effectiveness, and efficiency. Twenty police stations of one police area in the Western Cape were selected for the pilot-testing of the newly developed performance measurement system for the SAPS. After the model had been successfully piloted, it was compared with the performance measurement system used by the SAPS at present. The proposed model achieved a substantial higher mark in comparison with the present process/system used in the SAPS. Finally, the new performance measurement system for the SAPS that consists of the following performance measurement determinants namely, strategic direction, performance framework, performance measures, strategy-institutionalizing and performance assessment provides an important building block in the process of analysing the quality of service. In conclusion, according to this exploratory study the newly developed performance measurement system for the SAPS shows that the SAPS can apply the model, in its current format, fully and optimally. However, some shortcomings connected to the model, have been identified.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alhoewel terme soos insette, produksie (uitsette), gevolge (resultate), produktiwiteit, 'kwaliteit, doelmatigheid en doeltreffendheid maatstawwe van werkverrigting verteenwoordig, meet dit ook verskillende aspekte van werkverrigting. Die vraag na die toepaslikheid van die meet van werkverrigting vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens (SAPD) tree telkens na vore. Die volgende drie vrae is derhalwe geformuleer: • In watter mate is die meet van werkverrigting op die SAPD van toepassing? • Aan watter beslissende faktore vir die meet van werkverrigting moet aandag geskenk word en watter van hierdie faktore moet in die proses van die meet van werkverrigting in die SAPD geïntegreer word? • Hoe kan die meet van werkverrigting dienslewering verbeter? Die doel met die verkenningstudie was om 'n voorstellingsraamwerk vir die meet van werkverrigting te verskaf deur 'n stelselmatige en omvattende stelsel (model) vir die meet van werkverrigting vir die SAPD te ontwikkel wat langtermynvoordele sal inhou vir die SAPD, sowel as die kliënte en/of gemeenskappe wat dit bedien. Die sleuteldoelwitte is daarom drievoudig: • Om te verseker dat die SAPD sy missie ten uitvoer bring en die beoogde resultate bereik. • Om die werkverrigting (suksesse) van die Polisie met betrekking tot insette, produksie, resultate, doelmatigheid en doeltreffendheid te meet wat 'n direkte invloed op die bekamping van misdaad sal hê en ook van waarde is vir kliënte en/of gemeenskappe wat die Polisie bedien. • Om die nuutontwikkelde en voorafgetoetse model te vergelyk met die metode wat die SAPD tans gebruik om werkverrigting te meet om te bewys dat die nuwe model belofte inhou. Persoonlike onderhoude is met 16 Engelse en Walliese persone gevoer en fokusgroepsbesprel<.ings is gehou. Persoonlike onderhoude is ook met 12 polisiebeamptes van die SAPD gevoer en fokusgroepsbesprekings is gehou om die huidige stand van sake oor die meet van werkverrigting in die Polisie te bepaal. As deel van die verkenningstudie en om op die gestelde vrae en doel te fokus, asook om 'n verldaringvir die data te gee, is drie hipoteses vir hierdie studie geformuleer. Die nuut ontwikkelde model sal dus die mate van die volgende kan bepaal: • Hulpbronne (menslik en fisies) doeltreffend en doelmatig benut word deur op werkverrigting te fokus. • Polisie-operasies en -aktiwiteite op 'n deurlopende grondslag verbeter kan word deur op die beoogde resultate te fokus. • Polisie-operasies en -aktiwiteite 'n positiewe invloed op die bekamping van misdaad sal hê. 'n Voorstellingsraamwerk vir die meet van werkverrigting is ontwikkel wat die uitvoeringvan die missie van die SAPD en die bereikingvan beoogde resultate weerspieël. Hierdie model meet ook die werkverrigting (suksesse) van die SAPD met betrekking tot insette, produksie, gevolge, doeltreffendheid en doelmatigheid. Twintig polisiestasies van een polisie-area in die Wes-Kaap is gekies vir die vooraftoetsing van die nuutontwikkelde stelsel vir die meet van die werkverrigting vir die SAPD. Nadat die model suksesvol getoets is, is dit vergelyk met die stelsel wat tans deur die SAPD gebruik word om werkverrigting te meet. Die voorgestelde model het 'n aansienlike hoër punt behaal in vergelyking met die stelsel wat tans in die SAPD gebruik word. Laastens bied die nuwe stelsel wat werkverrigting in die SAPD meet en wat bestaan uit die volgende bepalings vir die meet van werkverrigting, naamlik strategiese rigting, raamwerk vir werkverrigting, maatstawvve vir werkverrigting, strategiese institusionalisering en waardebepaling van werkverrigting 'n belangrike bousteen in die ontledingsproses van kwaliteit diens. Sammevattend toon die nuutontwikkelde stelsel VIr die meet van werkverrigting in die SAPD volgens hierdie verkenningstudie dat die SAPD die model in sy huidige formaat ten volle en optimaal kan toepas. 'n Paar tekortkomings met betrekking tot die model is egter geïdentifiseer.

Traditional cost-accounting approaches have served manufacturers well over a long period, but due to the changing nature of the modern manufacturing environment shortcomings have resulted and are no longer regarded as suitable (Gagne & Discenza 1993: 68). Similarly, Monden and Lee (1993: 22) state that many practitioners and academicians have questioned the effectiveness of standard cost systems, which have been used as the primary cost control measure for the last several decades. Cooper and Slagmulder (1997: 2) point out that in contrast to the conventional cost management techniques, target costing adopts a feed-forward approach. The objective of target costing is to design costs out of products, and not to find ways of eliminating costs after the products enter production. Few firms can afford to ignore such a powerful mechanism to increase profits in today’s highly competitive environment.

The research investigates whether the environmental performance standards prescribed by international financial lending institutions have the potential to regulate within the South African legislative framework. In assessing this, the environmental performance standards of three specific financial lending institutions, namely, the International Finance Corporation, the African Development Bank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa are analysed. In addition, the extent to which South African framework legislation accommodates the use of the environmental performance standards is looked at with specific focus on the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA) and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Constitution). The principles and provisions underscored in NEMA are shown in this study to accommodate the application of the environmental performance standards. This is so because the environmental performance standards support the framework legislation to the extent that it gives effect to its principles by providing substantive content to the framework.
Thesis (LLM (Environmental Law and Governance))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Over the past few years there is an increase in globalization and construction industry companies are becoming more aware of the environmental and social aspects in construction projects. Companies have to make a profit and carry out an obligation towards the community. The reason for introducing codes of conduct is to ensure that companies and persons within the construction industry become more socially responsible and adopt it into their daily businesses due to community pressures. It is essential to enforce codes of conduct throughout the construction industry professions, including all stakeholders and team members within the construction industry. This study has sought to determine the main reasons why some quantity surveyors might not always apply the code of conduct in an ethical and professional manner, as well as to identify possible ways how the code of conduct can be improved, be upheld and implemented more successfully in South Africa. Questionnaires were used to collect data from some quantity surveyors in South Africa. The aim of the questionnaire was to identify how some quantity surveyors implement the code of conduct, where the possible gaps in the code of conduct are and how the current code of conduct can be improved. The data determined that the code of conduct needs to be regularly improved in order to stay up to date with current ethical situations that quantity surveyors face daily in South Africa, as well as that some quantity surveyors have a lack of education and proper understanding of the codes of conduct, lack of keeping up to date with the Code and the guidance in which they serve.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2020.
Construction Economics
MSc (Quantity Surveying)
Unrestricted

In recent years, concern about food safety linked to health issues has seen a rise in private food safety standards in addition to the regulations set by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO). These have presented challenges to producers and exporters of agricultural food products especially the producers of fresh fruits and vegetables. In spite of the food safety-linked challenges from the demand side, the vast range of business-environment forces pose equally formidable challenges that negatively impact on the exporting industries’ ability to maintain or improve their market shares and their ability to compete in world markets. The objective of this study was therefore to establish the competitiveness of the South African citrus industry in the international markets within this prevailing scenario. Due to the diversity of the definitions of competitiveness as a concept, this study formulated the following working definition: “the ability to create, deliver and maintain value and constant market share through strategic management of the industrial environment or competitiveness drivers”. This was based on the understanding that the international market shares of an industry are a function of forces in the business environment which range from intra-industry, external and national as well as the international elements. The unit of analysis were the citrus producers engaged in export of their products and the study made use of 151 responses by producers. The study adopted a five-step approach to the analysis of the performance of the South African citrus industry in the global markets, starting with the analysis of the Constant Market Share (CMS) of the South African citrus industry in various world markets, establishing the impact of the business environmental factors upon competitiveness, establishing the costs of compliance with private food safety standards, determining the non-price benefits of compliance with the standards, as well as highlighting the strategies for enhancing long-term competitiveness of the industry in the international markets. South Africa is one of the top three countries dominating the citrus fruit export market. Since its entry into the citrus fruit exports market in the 1900s, the industry has sustained its activity in the international market. The Constant Market Share Analysis shows that, amidst the challenges on the international market side, and the changes in the business environment, over much of which the industry has limited control and influence, the industry has maintained its competitive advantage in several markets. The CMS shows that South Africa’s lemons are competitive in America. Despite a negative trend, the South African grapefruit has been competitive in France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Oranges have been competitive in the Greece, Italy, Portugal, UK, Asian and Northern Europe markets. Competitiveness in these markets has been due to the inherent competitiveness of the industry. Competitiveness in such markets as the Middle East has been attributed to the relatively rapid growth of these markets. The South African citrus industry has similarly undergone many major processes of transformation. The business environmental factors influencing its performance have ranged reform to the challenges beyond the country’s borders. These factors directly and indirectly affect the performance of the industry in the export market. They have influenced the flow of fruits into different international destinations. Of major concern are the food safety and private standards. Challenges in traditional markets as well as opportunities presented by demand from newly emerging citrus consuming nations have seen a diversification in the marketing of the South African citrus. The intensity of competition in the global market is reflected by the fluctuations in the market shares in different markets as well as the increase and fluctuations of fruit rejection rates in some lucrative markets such as America. A combination of challenging national environmental forces and stringent demand conditions negatively impact on revenues especially from markets characterised by price competitiveness. This study identified cost of production, foreign market support systems, adaptability, worker skills, challenges of management in an international environment and government policies such as labour and trade policies as some of the most influential obstacles to competitiveness. Some of the most competiveness-enhancing factors were market availability, market size, market information, market growth and the availability of research institutions. However, compliance with private standards still poses a challenge to the exporters. The different performance levels of the industry in various markets prove the dissimilarity of the demand conditions in the global market. These are supported by the negative influence associated with the foreign market support regimes as well as the challenges associated with compliance with private food safety standards. While market availability, market growth, market information and size were identified as enhancing competitiveness, the fluctuations and inconsistencies in the competitiveness of the industry in different foreign markets require more than finding markets. Resource allocation by both the government and the industry may need to take into account the off-setting of the national challenges and support of farmers faced with distorted and unfair international playing fields. Otherwise, market availability is not a challenge for the industry save meeting the specifications therewith as well as price competitiveness which is unattainable for the South African citrus producers faced with high production costs. For the purposes of further study, it is recommended that account should be taken of all the products marketed by the industry (including processed products such as fruit juices) in order to have a whole picture of the competitiveness of the industry in the international market. This study also proffers a new theoretical framework for the analysis of the business environment for the citrus industry and other agro-businesses. This framework takes into account the indispensability of the food safety standards and measures as well as the diversity of the global consumer and the non-negotiability of food trade for the sustenance of the growing population.

The mandatory and voluntary carbon markets have both developed around the increasing trade of carbon offsets. In order to add legitimacy to an otherwise intangible commodity there has been a rise in the development of third party carbon certification standards, particularly in the voluntary market. These standards aim to provide independent, third party certification to projects that are developed specifically to generate and sell carbon offsets. South Africa has the opportunity to engage with these markets, but current participation in and certification of projects is sluggish. These projects have not taken off mainly due to the high transaction costs and lag times surrounding the current certification of projects', complex baseline methodologies, accounting uncertainty and the often bureaucratic systems surrounding the current voluntary carbon certification standards and methodologies. In order to overcome these pitfalls this project aimed to address these challenges through initiating the development of a preliminary South African voluntary carbon standard. This was done by: a) undertaking a critical assessment of the development of current carbon markets, with a particular focus on voluntary markets and third party certification, b) critically analysing the current voluntary carbon certification standards for best practices, pitfalls and weaknesses. To provide a better understanding of the historical development of voluntary certification standards, various established certification standards were evaluated, including the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and ISO 14000 standards. This analysis focussed on the challenges they faced in acceptance and in particular how they have managed to operationalize sustainable development within the certification process. In order to explicitly ensure the incorporation of a sustainable development assessment of projects under the proposed standard, an expert workshop was held with 14 experts from a wide variety of disciplines. These experts identified the crucial sustainable development challenges facing South Africa. They identified 12 sub-themes and 44 indicators that could be used to measure and incorporate sustainable development indicators into the certification process. These were then further developed through using the 'Input – Output – Outcome – Impact' framework model which allowed the indicators to be organised and understood and thus practical. The analysis of the voluntary certification standards and the development of the sustainable development indicator framework were ultimately incorporated into the development of the proposed South African voluntary carbon standard. The key approach to this standard is the incorporation and focus of the proposed standard to ensuring the generation of net SD benefits and placing them at the same level as carbon within the project design and development, validation and verification process. The full and effective integration of these has been missing within current fully fledged voluntary carbon standards, as they often rely on a mixture of project design standards to achieve this. Offering the inclusion of all components into one standard, specifically designed for South Africa, will not only assure SD credentials but also increase transparency and understanding, and reduce costs. This thesis allowed for the development of innovative new ideas and process focussed specifically at including and mainstreaming South Africa’s developmental challenges into the certification process. This is the hoped that the standard will effectively certify South African based landscape restoration projects, but also decrease costs and increase efficiencies in order to encourage the development of these projects. This preliminary standard not only aims to incorporate and address all the issues identified but also has the end goal of acting as the basis for future debate and development surrounding a potential South African voluntary carbon certification standard.

Research has been conducted on performance indicators in higher education institutions in a number of countries. However, in South Africa limited research in this field on a national level is available to the management of South African higher education institutions. The change in funding of these institutions has led to performance measurement becoming essential in order to justify the use of public funds. In order to obtain more relevant information about performance indicators in the South African context, a literature study was conducted to develop a questionnaire to test the concurrence of the importance of performance indicators in South African universities and technikons. The findings of the survey shows a high level of concurrence for the performance indicators identified in the literature study.

Thesis (MPhil (General Linguistics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During interpreting in the National Parliament of South Africa, the South African Sign Language (SASL) signs used for terms frequently occurring in political debates appear to differ from one interpreter to the next. The question arises as to whether this could be a possible source of miscommunication, and, if so, whether there is a need for SASL to be standardised in order to promote successful communication and/or avoid misunderstandings while interpreting the proceedings of Parliament for a Deaf Member of Parliament as well as for Deaf members of the public. The present research set out to answer these questions. In order to do so, video-recordings were made of two parliamentary SASL interpreters each independently signing 10 English terms often used during Parliamentary sittings. These recordings were shown to three Deaf adults, from more or less the same linguistic background, who were tasked with writing down the meaning of each sign of each interpreter. Responses given by the informants were allocated marks and a total score was calculated to reveal the level of intelligibility of the signs of each interpreter. It was found that not one of the deaf adults could understand all 10 signs of any one interpreter, and that the signs used by the two interpreters for eight of the 10 English terms differed vastly. The answers indicate the possibility of miscommunication, which could be avoided if standardised terms were available for use in the Parliamentary environment.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tydens tolking in die Nasionale Parlement van Suid Afrika blyk tekens in Suid Afrikaanse Gebaretaal vir terme wat gereeld in politiese debatte voorkom, te verskil van tolk tot tolk. Die vraag is of dit ‘n bron van moontlike wankommunikasie kan wees en, indien wel, of daar dan ‘n behoefte daaraan is om Suid-Afrikaanse Gebaretaal te standardiseer met die doel om suksesvolle kommunikasie te bevorder en/of om misverstande te vermy terwyl die verrigtinge van die Parlement getolk word vir die dowe Lid van die Parlement asook die dowe lede van die publiek. Die huidige navorsing is gedoen om ‘n antwoord op hierdie vrae te verkry. Vir hierdie doeleindes is video-opnames van twee parlementêre gebaretaaltolke gemaak. Elke tolk het onafhanklik van die ander een 10 Engelse terme getolk wat gereeld voorkom gedurende parlementêre sittings. Hierdie opnames is dan aan drie volwasse Dowes gewys, wat afkomstig was van ongeveer dieselfde taalagtergrond, wat die betekenis van elke tolk se gebare neergeskryf het. Tellings is aan die response van elke informant toegeken en die totale telling is uitgewerk om die vlak van verstaanbaarheid van die gebare van elke tolk uit te werk. Daar is bevind dat nie een van die Dowe volwassenes al 10 terme korrek kon verstaan nie en dat ag van die 10 Engelse terme grotendeels verskillend getolk is deur die tolke. Die antwoorde dui daarop dat daar ‘n moontlikheid van wankommunikasie bestaan, wat vermy kan word as gebaretaalterme gestandardiseer kan word in die parlementêre omgewing.

Background: Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is an advanced airway skill commonly performed in the pre-hospital setting globally. In South Africa, pre-hospital RSI was first approved for non-physician providers by the Health Professions Council of South Africa in 2009 and introduced as part of the scope of practice of degree qualified Emergency Care Practitioners (ECPs) only. The aim of the research study was to investigate and describe, based on the components of the minimum standards of pre-hospital RSI in South Africa, specific areas of interest related to current pre-hospital RSI practice. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design in the form of an online survey were conducted amongst operational ECPs in the pre-hospital setting of South Africa, using convenience and snowball sampling strategies. Results: A total of 87 participants agreed to participate. Eleven (12.6%) incomplete survey responses were excluded while 76 (87.4%) were included in the data analysis. The survey response rate could not be calculated. Most participants were operational in Gauteng (n=27, 35.5%) and the Western Cape (n=25, 32.9%). Overall participants reported that their education and training were perceived as being of good quality. An overwhelming number of participants (n=69, 90.8%) did not participate in an internship programme before commencing duties as an independent practitioner. Most RSI and post-intubation equipment were reported to be available, however, our results found that introducer stylets and/or bougies and EtCO2 devices are not available to some participants. Only 50 (65.8%) participants reported the existence of a clinical governance system within their organisation. Furthermore, our results indicate a lack of clinical feedback, deficiency of an RSI database, infrequent clinical review meetings and a shortage of formal consultation frameworks. Conclusion: The practice of safe and effective pre-hospital RSI, performed by non-physician providers or ECPs, rely on comprehensive implementation and adherence to all the 51 components of the minimum standards. Although there is largely an apparent alignment with the minimum standards, recurrent revision of practice needs to occur to ensure alignment with recommendations. Additionally, there are areas that may benefit from further research to improve current practice.

The thesis examines the Namibian labour dispute resolution system by undertaking a comparative analysis of South African and international labour standards. It describes the legal provisions that exist for the effective and efficient resolution of labour disputes through an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system, which is given recognition in national labour legislation, and in a number of international labour standards and regional labour instruments. It argues for the provision of a proactive and expeditious dispute resolution system that helps to resolve labour disputes in the most effective and efficient manner, without necessarily having to resort to the courts. The study examines the provisions of relevant international labour standards on labour dispute resolution to ascertain their adequacy as part frameworks that apply to Namibia and South Africa’s obligation to provide ADR systems that respond to the needs of the labour relations community. It is argued that ratifying particular ILO conventions creates obligations to comply with their provisions, and to apply them in national legislation and in practice. It is further argued that by having ratified those international labour standards that provide for ADR, Namibia assumes specific obligations under international law, enjoining the country to provide the required ADR system of conciliation and arbitration, which is credible and trusted by disputants and the general public. A comparative approach is adopted, which relies on primary and secondary sources of data, thereby undertaking an in-depth content analysis. The focus of the comparison is on whether the South African ADR system can inform Namibia’s application of its newly adopted ADR system. South Africa has a labour dispute resolution system that has influenced Namibian labour law, prompting Namibia to borrow its ADR system from South Africa’s advanced Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). In this sense, it is submitted that there are fundamental similarities and differences in the two respective systems. Ideally, disputes should be resolved at conciliation level, resulting in the minority of disputes being referred to arbitration or the Labour Court. In terms of implementation, it is argued that despite the international obligation and commitment to provide and make available free and expeditious ADR services, there are gaps that exist between the legal framework regulating the ADR system and the application thereof in practice, making the attainment of effective and efficient labour dispute resolution difficult. Disputes should be resolved as quickly and informally as possible, with little or no procedural technicalities, and without allowing them to drag on indefinitely, offering immediate solutions instead. This is far from the reality of the situation. In contrast, the study found that although the Labour Act, 2007 and the South African Labour Relations Act (LRA) have brought statutory dispute resolution within the reach of the ordinary worker, these Acts may have compounded the problems relating to dispute resolution in the respective countries. The statutes in question have created sophisticated systems of dispute resolution in which most role players are seen as failing to operate as a result of the complex and technical processes of dealing with disputes. For this reason, the author proposes several remedial interventions that look to the future and the continued provision of fast, effective and user-friendly ADR services. Solving these problems and making effective and efficient labour dispute resolution a reality calls for renewed commitment from government and social partners and investment in appropriate human and financial resources. This requires a strong political will as well as concerted efforts from all role players in the labour relations community in the two respective countries.

This study explores the potential for critical pedagogical innovation to expand student learning activity, meaning making and learning agency of first year undergraduate students. The study is located in a larger critical project. Rather than looking to support ‘unprepared’ students to better adapt to the current culture of higher education, the larger critical project looks to the generative potential of new students to elaborate the structure of higher education itself over time. The study emanates from a process of reflective self-critique of one higher education institution in South Africa serving a student population with little access to educational advantage. The emerging critique was located at the interface of institutional practice, student learning activity and the meaning making processes mediating the two domains. This critique gave birth to the pedagogical innovation at the centre of this study. The pedagogical innovation took the form of an activity system, with three sets of pedagogical tools mediating the system: tools to expand the learning practice of students, symbolic tools to expand the critical meaning making toolkit available, and tools designed to build a new learning community better aligned with interactive learning activity. This study is an intervention case study, theoretically grounded in the work of activity and socio-cultural theorists. The pedagogy was embedded within a semester long credit-bearing core course for entering first year students. The study follows the experience of the 652 students participating in the 2010 pilot experience. Upwards of 70% of students suggest that their reading (76%) and writing (71%) practice had changed by the end of the course. Over 80% indicated that the course made them better readers (85%) and writers (84%.) Students suggest that they read and write more and enjoy reading and writing more. They suggest that as motive expanded, activity of reading and writing expanded, complimentary activity expanded (e.g. expression and critical engagement), and participation across a number of domains expanded. Students with less historical access to educational advantage made stronger claims about the pedagogical toolkit than students with more access to educational advantage. This study suggests that under the right conditions, critical pedagogy focusing on student learning activity and meaning making can expand learning practice and meaning making of first year undergraduate students, contributing to an expanding claim on learning agency. It tentatively suggests that this type of learning architecture is well aligned for appropriation of students with less access to historical socio-educational learning privilege, but remains sensitive to the situated nature of historic disadvantage (for example, in campus sites.) The study points to the specific potential of three toolkits: toolkits to mediate expanded learning activity, toolkits to expand meaning making, and toolkits designed to directly reconstitute the learning community itself. The study concludes by extracting some lessons for critical pedagogical innovation serving first year studies into the future. It points to the importance of the domain of learning activity and meaning making, and suggests the kind of changes within the culture of higher education required to better unleash innovation in this area. It points to the generative potential of methods that better combine students and lecturers within pedagogical innovation processes. The study concludes by pointing to the relatively unoccupied area of critical research, whereby the work to expand the learning activity of first year students is aligned to the potential of students to elaborate the structure of higher education itself over time. The study points to three specific research areas: research building stronger pedagogical tools for first year students; research to better understand the critical meaning making project of students; and research to better understand the transformation of the pedagogical inheritance within higher education.

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A major challenge facing the South African government is the acceleration of service delivery improvement to ensure a better life for all South Africans. The White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service (South Africa, 1995) has as its objective “empowering, challenging and motivating managers at all levels to be leaders, visionaries, initiators and effective communicators and decision-makers, capable of responding pro-actively to the challenges of the change process, rather than acting as the administrators of fixed rules and procedures.” The White Paper also proposes that new and more participative organisational structures, new organisational cultures, learning organisations, and techniques for managing change and diversity be developed. A new Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) for the Senior Management Service (SMS) has been created, which has as its basis performance management and development as an approach. It consists of a standardised set of competencies, to be used as basis for performance appraisal. As it is expected of SMS members to manage and lead their respective institutions to meet the stated objectives, the Core Management Criteria (CMCs) will have to assist the development of competencies in SMS members to capacitate them to meet the stated objectives and to lead their organisations to change that will assist service delivery. The question, therefore, arises whether the CMCs will develop SMS members to lead their organisations to change. The aim of this research will be to determine whether the competencies used in the PMDS are also focused on leadership and organisational development issues needed in a developmental situation to enable SMS members to lead their organisations, rather than merely acting as the administrators of fixed rules and procedures. The research is divided into distinct phases. The first entails exploring the meaning of competence and the conceptual structure of competencies to be able to analyse the CMCs. This is followed by an analysis of managerial versus leadership competencies in general to provide a theoretical context for an analysis of the CMCs in terms of management or leadership focus. In the next phase the CMCs as competencies used in the PMDS are also analysed and discussed, after which a comparative analysis is undertaken, with competencies used in notable international examples to provide context. In the final phase the CMCs as competencies are analysed in terms of management or leadership focus and focus on organisation development. The research showed that the appraisal system used for the SMS members in terms of the PMDS could lead to a manipulation of the appraisal system whereby SMS members could “influence” the system to their own benefit. The research also showed that there are definite personally oriented competencies absent from the PMDS, whereas they are present in the international examples. The research also showed that certain competencies supporting leadership roles are strengthened by the international systems, whereas these are absent from the PMDS and therefore not strengthened. The research further showed that these leadership roles that are not strengthened by the PMDS, but are included in the international systems, also coincide with the leadership roles that are not strengthened from a theoretical perspective. The research concludes that the CMCs used in the PMDS would probably not support SMS members to develop competencies that are oriented towards leadership and organisation development to enable them to really change their organisation to adapt.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die groot uitdaging wat die Suid-Afrikaanse regering tans in die gesig staar, is versnelde verbetering van dienslewering om ‘n beter lewe vir alle Suid Afrikaners te verseker. Een van die doelwitte van die Witskrif op die Transformasie van die Staatsdiens (1995), is die bemagtiging, uitdaging en motivering van bestuurders op alle vlakke om versiende leiers, inisieerders en effektiewe kommunikeerders en besluitnemers te wees, instaat om pro-aktief te reageer op die uitdagings van die proses van verandering, eerder as om bloot die administrators van reëls en voorskrifte te wees. Die Witskrif stel ook voor dat nuwe en meer deelnemende organisatoriese strukture ontwikkel word, ‘n nuwe organisasie-kultuur geskep word en dat organisasies voortdurend by verandering en diversiteit sal aanpas. ‘n Nuwe prestasiebestuur en –onwikkelingstelsel is gevolglik vir die Senior Bestuurskader ontwikkel. Die stelsel bestaan uit ‘n gestandaardiseerde stel Kern Besuurskriteria wat as basis vir prestasie-evaluering gebruik word. Aangesien dit van Bestuurders verwag word om hul onderskeie komponente te bestuur en die leiding te neem om gestelde doelwitte te bereik, moet die stelsel vaardighede in die Bestuurders ontwikkel wat hulle instaat sal stel om wel die doelwitte te bereik en om leiding te neem om hul organisasies te transformeer om verbeterde dienslewering te bewerkstellig. Die vraag ontstaan egter of die gestelde Kern Bestuurskriteria wel leierskapsvaardighede sal ontwikkel, wat Bestuurders sal benodig om die leiding te neem ten opsigte van verandering. Die doel van die navorsing is om vas te stel of die Bestuurskriteria wat in die prestasiebestuur en – onwikkelingstelsel gebruik word, ook gefokus is op leierskap- en organisasie-ontwikkelingsvaardighede, wat bestuurders sal benodig om leiding te neem, teenoor bestuurders wat slegs optree as administrateurs van reëls en voorskrifte. Die eerste gedeelte van die navorsing analiseer die betekenis van vaardigheid en die konsepsuele struktuur van vaardighede, ten einde die Kern Bestuurskriteria te ontleed. Hierna volg ‘n ontleding van bestuurs- en leierskapsvaardighede in die algemeen, om die teoretiese konteks vir die ontleding van die Kern Bestuurskriteria in terme van fokus op bestuur en leierskap te verleen. In die volgende fase, word die Kern Bestuurskriteria wat as vaardighede in die Suid-Afrikaanse bestuurstelsel gebruik word, ontleed en bespreek. Hierna word ‘n vergelykende analise gedoen met vaardighede wat in geseleketeerde internasionale stelsels gebruik word, om verdere konteks te verleen. Die Kern Bestuurskriteria word daarna ontleed in terme van fokus op bestuur of leierskap, en ook organisasie-ontwikkeling. Die navorsing het bevind dat die evalueringstelsel vir die bestuurskader moontlik deur bestuurders gemanipuleer kan word om hulself te bevoordeel. Die navorsing het verder getoon dat definitiewe vaardighede wat op die persoon self gemik is, ontbreek, terwyl dit wel in die internasionale voorbeelde teenwoordig is. Die navorsing het verder bevind dat die internasionale voorbeelde wel sekere vaardighede leierskapsrolle ontwikkel en versterk, terwyl dit afwesig is in die Suid Afrikaanse stelsel. Die navorsing het verder bevind dat die leierskapsrolle wat nie deur die Suid Afrikaanse stelsel versterk word nie, maar wel deel vorm van die internasionale voorbeelde, ooreenstem met die leierskapsrolle uit ‘n teroretiese oogpunt, wat nie deur die Suid Afrikaanse stelsel versterk word nie. Die navorsing bevind finaal dat die Kern Bestuurskriteria waarskynlik nie die nodige leierskaps- en organisasie-ontwikkelingsvaardighede in bestuurders sal ontwikkel nie, wat wel nodig sal wees om organisasies te verander.

Includes bibliographical references
Skeletal age is a measure of biological maturation and is based on the stages of formation of bones. As age increases, skeletal maturation progresses and the various hard tissue changes which take place are uniquely identifiable and defining to each stage of development. Age assessment using skeletal maturation is a diagnostic tool used clinically and in forensic investigations. Radiographs of the hand and wrist are frequently used to estimate age (Greulich and Pyle,1959); however studies conducted in South Africa have shown that these methods are not applicable to South Africans since the method over estimates age in the 17 - 22 year olds(Dembetembe and Morris, 2013) and both over and underestimates age in 0 - 13 year old individuals (Speed, 2012). There currently is a lack of comprehensive data and studies on the union of the major joints in South African children despite the need for population specific data in age estimations. The LODOX Statscan system, which emits low dose radiation and full body radiographs in thirteen seconds, was used to assess radiographs of1891 individuals between the ages of 6 - 24 years. Union was classified in four stages ranging from one (non-union) to stage four (complete union). Radiographs were obtained from the Red Cross War Memorial hospital and Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town and Tygerberg and Salt River mortuaries in Cape Town as well as the Chris Hani Baragwanathand Milpark hospitals in Johannesburg. The standards developed on radiographs were later used to conduct gross analysis of skeletal material obtained from the Raymond Dart Collection. Complete union was classified as the age at which 95% of the both males and females showed stage 4 of union. Complete union of all joints in females occurs by age 21 years and 24 years in males with the iliac crest being the last epiphysis to fuse in both males and females. Ordinal logistic regression found significant differences between males and females in the stages of union and age (p < 0.05). There is however no significant differences in stage of union and age between different ethnic groups and individuals from various socio-economic status backgrounds (p > 0.05).Data for union times in South African children show that maturity in females at the elbow, hip and ankle are achieved at approximately 15 years of age followed by the knee at 16 years, wrist at 18 years, and shoulder at 20 years. The radiographically visible epiphyses the iliac crest are the last epiphyses to complete union at 21 years. Males progress through union in the same sequence with the exception that there is a two year delay in age at maturity. The elbow in males completes union at approximately 17 years followed by the hip and ankle at 18 years, knee at 19 years, wrist at 20 years, and shoulder at 21 years and finally the iliac crest at 22 years. The methodology derived on radiographs was successfully applied to gross observations of skeletal material. It therefore provides a useful diagnostic tool for use in skeletonised forensic cases in the absence of skeletal material from which to derive such standards. The current work provides an alternative to the Greulich and Pyle (1959) method and is specifically tailored toward South African children.

Within the new constitutional order, South African local government has been afforded specific status and is protected as a distinctive sphere of government in terms of the Constitution Act 108 of 1996. Municipalities are no longer a mere function of national or provincial governments. In addition to this entrenched status, the Constitution and other developmental local government legislation vests local government with specific functions and responsibilities as part of the process of building a new democracy and promoting socio-economic development and upliftment. Consequently, local government managers are under constant pressure to improve the performance and quality of service delivery. They are expected to satisfy a number of stakeholders, achieve increases in efficiency, as well as attain developmental service delivery goals as contained in their Integrated Development Plan (IDP). Quality management standards and excellence models in support of the total quality management (TQM) philosophy are relatively new public management approaches that changes traditional organisational decision-making practices to deliver services to its customers in more effective and efficient ways. In essence, quality management standards and excellence models are performance management methodological practices, techniques and tools designed to meet and exceed public requirements. It accomplishes this through determining what constitutes excellence in customer service, and then empowering employees to a never-ending search for quality improvement in the delivery of services, in terms of the continuous improvement and continuous process improvement philosophies, of which total quality management (TQM) is premised on. Consequently, quality management standards and excellence models (such as the ISO 9001: 2008 QMS, ISO 14001: 2004 EMS, EFQM and SAEF Excellence Models) as methodological practices, techniques or tools in support of the critical factors (CFs) of the total quality management (TQM) philosophy, namely: (1) customer-based approach, (2) senior management commitment and leadership, (3) quality planning, (4) management based on facts, (5) continuous improvement, (6) involvement of all members of the organisation, (7) education and training, (8) teamwork, (9) communication systems, (10) learning, (11) process management, (12) co-operation with suppliers, and (13) organisational awareness and concern for the social and environmental context, can provide a framework by which to achieve the goals of effective and efficient service delivery in developmental local government, as they foster a culture of performance and accountability. Local government managers could use these quality and excellence methodological practices, techniques and tools, as a starting point to improve efficiencies in their municipalities, as the programmes afford them an opportunity to systematically evaluate the municipality and determine what leads to organisational success and deliverables. Institutional theory suggests that organisations are both influenced by and can influence the society in which they operate. Institutional theorists believe that the motivation for a change in internal practices might not only be performance related, but may primarily be to enhance or maintain the legitimacy of the respective institution. Institutional theory also focuses on the social contract that exists between the institution and society. This social contract is believed to represent the expectations of society. From an institutional point of view, it has been suggested that institutions may change and adopt the norms of society to appear legitimate to that society. This infers that when societal norms and values change, institutions will be expected to change. These societal pressures combined with legislative changes, require institutional entrepreneurs to respond to these isomorphic pressures, and will work to preserve the institution's legitimacy by incorporating, or at least appearing to incorporate, new practices, norms and values. The aim of this research study was to analyse within an institutional theory framework, the implementation of quality management standards and excellence models in support of the total quality management (TQM) philosophy and developmental local government within two South African municipalities. The research investigation has been undertaken within the social constructionist paradigm and using the case study method. Interviews and documents were the data sources and thematic analysis was used as a tool to analyse the data by applying a theory-driven coding procedure. The findings from the two research sites, namely Makana Municipality in Grahamstown and Drakenstein Municipality in Paarl reveal that the implementation of quality management standards and excellence models in support of the total quality management (TQM) philosophy in both municipalities was not a smooth process and there were many challenges such as political instability, lack of commitment on the part of the senior leadership and management, staff and skills shortages, resistance by staff to implementation and resource constraints. Institutional theory has proved to be useful in understanding why the Makana and Drakenstein Municipalities implemented quality management standards and excellence models. Because of coercive, mimetic and normative isomorphic pressures affecting the Makana and Drakenstein municipalities, change was imperative if these institutions were to remain relevant and legitimate in order to address its service delivery mandate of effectiveness and efficiency. Institutional theory provided a theoretical lens to understand and appreciate the pressures that affected the municipalities because of its new developmental mandate as encapsulated in new municipal legislation. It also assisted in understanding how institutional entrepreneurs responded to these pressures to conform. The implementation of quality management standards and excellence models in the Makana and Drakenstein municipalities was adversely affected by volatility amongst the political leadership of both municipalities. The successful implementation of these standards and models would require collective action from the political, bureaucratic and procedural entrepreneurs in order to enhance effective, efficient and accountable service delivery. However, in both the Makana and Drakenstein municipalities, institutional entrepreneurs, namely councillors and officials were not working together as a collective to implement quality management standards and excellence models. Evidence has shown that the absence of stable political leadership and noncooperation and collaboration amongst institutional entrepreneurs contributed significantly to the non-institutionalisation of quality management standards and excellence models in these Municipalities. This implies that legitimacy has not been achieved, due to institutional entrepreneurs not collaborating and collectively working with each other to implement the quality management standards and excellence models. Thus, this research study suggests that the strategic and collective role of the political and administrative leadership as institutional entrepreneurs is critical if the municipality is to achieve its aims and objectives, namely effective, efficient, and accountable service delivery in developmental local government. Recommendations in respect of future research and to practitioners have also been offered.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background A need for primary care practitioners to utilise clinical research evidence in practice has been identified and is well described. However a chasm between evidence and practice still exists in primary health care (PHC). Although clinical practice guidelines have been shown to improve the quality of clinical practice and attempt to bridge the gap between evidence and practice, practitioners are often not aware of practice guidelines and fail to access, adopt or adhere to evidence-based recommendations contained in them. Central question How can the implementation of clinical research evidence, using the example of the national evidence-based guideline on asthma, be improved in the PHC sector in the MDHS of the Cape Town metropole? Aim This research aimed to improve the implementation of clinical research evidence in PHC, by learning from the specific example of the national evidence-based asthma guideline in PHC practice in the Metro District Health System (MDHS) of the Cape Town metropole, and to make recommendations to key stakeholders regarding the future implementation of evidence-based guidelines. Objectives  To gain insight into the current quality of asthma care in PHC in the MDHS of the Cape Town metropole.  To determine whether the process of implementation of the new asthma guideline contributed to an improvement in the quality of care in the MDHS.  To explore ways of improving the process of implementation of the national asthma guideline in PHC in the MDHS.  To gain insight into the perceptions, attitudes and knowledge of asthmatic patients regarding their asthma management.  To explore how EBP is understood and perceived by doctors in PHC. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za  To understand how PHC doctors in the public and private health sectors gain access to and use guidelines.  To explore the experiences, perspectives and understanding of family physicians (FPs) (academic, private and public sector) with regard to EBP and the implementation of guidelines in PHC practice.  To gain insight into the understanding of FPs regarding the perceived problems and main barriers to EBP and their views of the process of guideline implementation in PHC.  To gain insight into the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of clinical nurse practitioners in the public sector with regard to EBP and the process of guideline implementation. Methodology This study was conducted in the PHC setting of the Cape Town metropole. This research was conducted in three phases and used cross-sectional surveys, quality improvement (QI) cycles, qualitative research methods, such as interviews with FPs, and participatory action research (PAR). Phase 1 involved a cross-sectional survey, which looked at the knowledge, awareness and perspectives of doctors, regarding evidence-based practice (EBP) and guideline implementation using the national evidence-based asthma guideline published in 2007. It also involved QI cycles conducted over a period of five years to assess the baseline quality of asthma care in the PHC sector and to evaluate improvement in asthma care as a result of the QI cycles and associated educational workshops. Phase 2 involved interviews conducted with FPs in academia as well as in the private and public health care sectors who were responsible for clinical governance in PHC in the Cape Town metropole. During this phase of the research the experiences, perspectives and understanding of FPs (academic, private and public sector) with regard to EBP and the implementation of guidelines in PHC practice were explored. Phase 3 involved PAR with primary care practitioners at community health centres (CHCs) using a co-operative inquiry group (CIG) to improve asthma guideline implementation in PHC. The CIG investigated how to improve the implementation of the asthma guideline in their respective CHCs and completed four cycles of planning-action-observation-reflection. The four cycles focused on implementation of an asthma self-management plan (ASMP), exploring the capability of clinical nurse practitioners to implement the guidelines, exploring the views of patients on their asthma care and implementing better patient education. A final consensus of the CIG’s learning was then constructed. Results With regard to quality improvement of asthma care in PHC: The first objective of the study was largely addressed through the baseline audits conducted in 2007 and 2008. This showed that the baseline quality of asthma care, with specific reference to the assessment of the patient’s level of control, measuring the patient’s peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), assessing the patient’s inhaler/ spacer technique, recording the smoking status, the adequate prescription of controller and reliever metered dose inhalers (MDI) refills during visits and particularly the issuing of an ASMP during visits, was poor. The second objective was addressed through the annual audits conducted in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011 during the period of implementation. This showed that although clear cause and effect reasoning cannot be inferred, overall statistically and clinically significant improvements in the quality of care occurred in conjunction with the process of asthma guideline implementation. Despite the improvement in structural and process criteria there was no corresponding improvement in the outcome criteria and in fact the utilisation of facilities for emergency visits significantly increased, while the hospitalisation of patients remained constant. The third objective was to explore ways of improving the process of implementation of the national asthma guideline in PHC in the MDHS. This was largely addressed through the action-research process at selected CHCs. This showed that implementation could be improved by ongoing educational support and formal interactive training workshops with the staff members who were directly involved with patients. The development and use of educational aids and ASMPs based on the guideline recommendations were useful and encouraged patient participation in decision making regarding their care. The fourth objective, specific to asthma care, addressed by means of a survey and showed that even though the majority of asthma patients participated in decisions regarding their asthma and felt satisfied with the quality of care they received, the prevalence of smoking among asthma patients was high and opportunities for smoking cessation counselling were missed. Even though documentation of peak flow recordings and patients’ knowledge of the difference between the reliever and controller MDIs were good, patients’ perceptions with regard to education on the inhaler technique, the assessment of the level of control, the issue of written information regarding asthma and the use of ASMPs remained poor and could be improved. With regard to EBP and asthma guideline implementation in PHC: The fifth objective of the study was addressed by means of a survey which showed that the doctors in PHC used evidence in clinical decision making and agreed on the usefulness and importance of EBP in improving the quality of patient care in South Africa. There was a difference in the engagement with activities related to EBP between the public and private sector PHC doctors and there is a need for formal training in the skills and processes of EBP. The sixth objective was addressed by means of a survey which showed that a good proportion of both public and private sector doctors in the Cape Town metropole were well aware of the asthma guideline, had used the guideline and had adopted, acted on and adhered to specific guideline recommendations. There was a high level of general awareness of the asthma guideline and recommendations were being adopted in practice, although the lack of formal disease registers, monitoring and evaluation of asthma care and the utilisation of an ASMP could be improved on. The seventh objective was addressed by qualitative research which showed how the views and perspectives of FPs regarding EBP and the process of guideline implementation contributed to the development of a conceptual framework for the process of guideline implementation. The eighth objective was addressed by qualitative research, which identified barriers present in each step of the implementation process. Time constraints, practitioner workload, lack of financial resources, lack of ownership, the lack of timeous organisational support and practitioner resistance to change were important barriers to guideline implementation in an already overburdened PHC setting. A conceptual model was developed which showed that the process of guideline implementation should be tailored to the barriers identified. The ninth objective was addressed by means of a survey which showed that the concept of EBP was fairly new to CNPs in PHC and identified a need to learn more about it. CNPs agreed that clinical research evidence is useful in the daily management of patients, that their decision making is based on evidence, that evidence-based nursing can improve the quality of patient care, that there is a place for evidence-based nursing in their practices at their respective CHCs, that EBP will make a difference in the quality of care of their patients and that evidence-based nursing practice has an important role to play in South Africa. Although the awareness of CNPs with regard to the asthma guideline was poor, the vast majority reported that they personally educated patients on the difference between reliever and controller MDIs, recorded the smoking status of patients in the records, demonstrated the inhaler technique to all their asthma patients, assessed the level of control and agreed that inhaled corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment in patients with chronic persistent asthma. However only a small minority (mainly at the CHCs where action research occurred) started issuing patients with ASMPs. In answering the central question: “How can the process of implementation of clinical research evidence, using the example of the national evidence-based guideline on asthma, be improved in the PHC sector in the MDHS of the Cape Town metropole?”, this thesis concludes that the process of guideline implementation can be improved in the PHC sector by an in depth understanding and systematic approach to the whole process. A conceptual framework is provided as a model which attempts to guide and make sense of this process of guideline implementation. A stepwise approach is presented and provides a summary of the main research findings. The model shows that the initial process of evidence creation should not only deal with research evidence of high quality, but should incorporate research evidence that is relevant to the particular context of care. In addition the model shows that guideline development should be inclusive and involve a wider spectrum of stakeholders as well as patients; that guideline contextualisation, dissemination and implementation should be carefully planned. Special consideration should be given to local decision making about adoption or prioritisation of specific recommendations as part of ongoing quality improvement cycles and the conversion of published guidelines into practical tools for practitioners to use in consultation, prior to dissemination. Implementation should anticipate that members of the PHC staff will differ in their readiness to change and that strategies should consciously embrace principles of behaviour change and build up a sense of ownership, choice and control over local adoption of the guidelines. Academic centres, such as universities and professional bodies, have a role to play in identifying, appraising and synthesising the evidence, and giving input into guideline development. They can also assist by innovating and evaluating practical tools as part of the contextualisation stage and by providing continuing education during implementation as part of their social responsibility. The health care organisation (HCO) should prevent unnecessary delays in guideline implementation by ensuring that policy, resources and recommendations are aligned during the contextualisation stage; that barriers encountered should be dealt with throughout the entire process, and that ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the quality of care occurs. Conclusion This research used different methods and innovative PAR to bridge the gap between evidence and practice. A new conceptual model for guideline implementation is recommended for use to assist with implementation and knowledge translation in PHC locally, nationally and in similar Low Middle Income Countries (LMIC) in Africa.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond ‘n Behoefte om kliniese navorsingsbewyse in die praktyk te benut, is by primêre – sorg praktisyns geïdentifiseer en word goed beskryf. Daar bestaan egter steeds ‘n gaping tussen bewyse en die praktyk in primêre gesondheidsorg. Alhoewel getoon kon word dat kliniese praktykriglyne die kwaliteit van kliniese praktyk verbeter, en poog om die gaping tussen bewys en praktyk te oorbrug, is praktisyns dikwels nie bewus van praktykriglyne nie, en faal daarin om toegang te verkry tot bewysgebaseerde aanbevelings wat daarin vervat is, asook om dit aan te neem en na te kom. Sentrale vraag Hoe kan die implementering van kliniese navorsingbewyse, deur die voorbeeld van nasionale bewysgebaseerde riglyne oor asma te gebruik, verbeter word in die primêre gesondheidsorgsektor in die Metropooldistrik – gesondheidstelsel van die Kaapstad – metropool? Doel Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om die implementering van kliniese navorsingbewyse in die primêre gesondheidsorg te verbeter, deur te leer vanuit die spesifieke voorbeeld van die nasionale bewysgebaseerde asmariglyne in die primêre gesondheidsorgpraktyk in die Metropooldistrik – gesondheidstelsel van die Kaapstad - metropool, en om aanbevelings aan sleutel – rolspelers te maak aangaande die toekomstige implementering van bewysgebaseerde riglyne. Doelwitte  Om insig te verkry in die huidige kwaliteit van asmasorg in die primêre gesondheidsorg in die Metropooldistrik – gesondheidstelsel van die Kaapstad – metropool.  Om vas te stel of die implementeringsproses van die nuwe asmariglyne bygedra het tot ‘n verbetering in die kwaliteit van sorg in die Metropooldistrik – gesondheidstelsel.  Om maniere te verken om die implementeringsproses van die nasionale asmariglyne in die primêre gesondheidsorg in die Metropooldistrik – gesondheidstelsel te verbeter.  Om insig te verkry in die opvattings, houding en kennis van asmatiese pasiënte met betrekking tot hul asma – bestuur.  Om te verken hoe bewysgebaseerde praktyk verstaan en deur dokters in primêre gesondheidsorg toegepas word.  Om te verstaan hoe primêre gesondheidsorgdokters in die openbare - en privaatgesondheidsektore toegang tot, en die toepassing van riglyne verkry.  Om die ervaringe, perspektiewe en begrip van gesinspraktisyns (akademies, privaat en openbare sektor) met betrekking tot bewysgebaseerde praktyk, en die implementering van riglyne in primêre gesondheidsorg, te verken.  Om insig te verkry in die begrip van gesinspraktisyns met betrekking tot die probleme wat waargeneem is, hoofhindernisse tot bewysgebaseerde praktyk, asook hul persepsies van die proses van riglyn – implementering in primêre gesondheidsorg.  Om insig te verkry in die kennis, persepsies en houding van kliniese verpleegpraktisyns in die openbare sektor, met betrekking tot bewysgebaseerde praktyk en die proses van riglyn – implementering. Metodologie Hierdie studie is uitgevoer in die primêre gesondheidsorg - instellings van die Kaapstad – metropool. Hierdie navorsing is in drie fases uitgevoer, en het deursnee – ondersoeke, kwaliteitverbeteringsiklusse, kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes soos onderhoude met gesinspraktisyns, en deelnemende aksienavorsing gebruik. Fase 1 het ‘n deursnee – ondersoek behels oor die kennis, bewusmaking en perspektiewe van dokters met betrekking tot bewysgebaseerde praktyk en riglyn – implementering , deur die nasionale bewysgebaseerde asmariglyne te gebruik wat in 2007 gepubliseer is. Dit het ook kwaliteitverbeteringsiklusse behels wat oor ‘n tydperk van vyf jaar uitgevoer is, om die basislyn – kwaliteit van asmasorg in die primêre gesondheidsorg te assesseer, en om die verbetering in asmasorg te evalueer as ‘n uitvloesel van die kwaliteitverbeteringsiklusse en geassosieerde opvoedkundige werkswinkels. Fase 2 het onderhoude behels met gesinspraktisyns in akademia, sowel as in die privaat - en openbare gesondheidsorgsektore wat verantwoordelik was vir kliniese staatsbestuur in primêre gesondheidsorg in die Kaapstad – metropool. Gedurende hierdie fase van die navorsing was die ervaringe, perspektiewe en begrip van gesinspraktisyns (akademia, privaat – en openbare sektor) met betrekking tot bewysgebaseerde praktyk, en die implementering van riglyne in primêre gesondheidsorg, verken. Fase 3 het deelnemende aksienavorsing met primêre sorg – praktisyns by gemeenskaps – gesondheidsentrums behels, deur ‘n koöperatiewe ondersoekgroep te gebruik om die asmariglyn – implementering in primêre gesondheidsorg te verbeter. Die koöperatiewe ondersoekgroep het ondersoek ingestel hoe om die implementering van die asma – riglyne in hul onderskeie gemeenskaps – gesondheidsentrums te verbeter, en het vier siklusse van beplanning – aksie – observasie – refleksie voltooi. Die vier siklusse het gefokus op die implementering van ‘n asma – selfbestuurplan, die bekwaamheid van kliniese verpleegpraktisyns om die riglyne te implementeer te verken, die persepsies van pasiënte oor hul asmasorg te verken, en die implementering van beter pasiënt – opvoeding. ‘n Finale konsensus van die koöperatiewe ondersoekgroep se studie was toe opgestel. Resultate Met betrekking tot gehalteverbetering van asmasorg in primêre gesondheidsorg: Die eerste doelwit van die studie is hoofsaaklik aangespreek deur die basislyn – oudit wat in 2007 en 2008 uitgevoer is. Dit het getoon dat die basislynkwaliteit van asmasorg, met spesifieke verwysing na die assessering van pasiënte se vlak van beheer, meting van die pasiënt se piek ekspiratoriese vloeitempo, assessering van die pasiënt se inhaleringstegniek, optekening van die pasiënt se rookstatus, die voldoende voorskryf van reguleerder - en verligter gemeterde dosis inhaleerderhervullers tydens besoeke, en veral die verskaffing van ‘n asma – selfbestuurplan tydens besoeke, swak was. Die tweede doelwit is aangespreek deur die jaarlikse ouditte wat uitgevoer is in 2007, 2008, 2010 en 2011 gedurende die periode van implementering. Dit toon dat, hoewel duidelike oorsaak en effek – argumentering nie afgelei kan word nie, algehele statisties en klinies - beduidende verbeterings in die kwaliteit van sorg voorgekom het, in samewerking met die proses van asmariglyn – implementering. Ten spyte van die verbetering in strukturele – en proseskriteria, was daar geen ooreenstemmende verbetering in die uitkomskriteria nie. In werklikheid het die benutting van fasiliteite vir noodbesoeke aansienlik verhoog, terwyl die hospitalisasie van pasiënte konstant gebly het. Die derde objektief was om maniere te verken om die implementeringsproses van die nasionale asmariglyne in primêre gesondheidsorg in die Metropooldistrik – gesondheidstelsel te verbeter. Dit was hoofsaaklik aangespreek deur ‘n aksienavorsingproses by geselekteerde gemeenskaps – gesondheidsentrums. Dit het getoon dat implementering verbeter kon word deur deurlopende opvoedkundige ondersteuning en formele interaktiewe opleidingswerkswinkels met die personeellede wat direk betrokke was met die pasiënte. Die ontwikkeling en gebruik van opvoedkundige hulpmiddels, en asma - selfbestuurplanne gebaseer op die riglyn – aanbevelings was nuttig, en het pasiëntdeelname in besluitneming rakende hul sorg, aangemoedig. Die vierde doelwit, spesifiek met betrekking tot asmasorg, is aangespreek by wyse van ‘n opname. Dit het getoon dat, alhoewel die meerderheid van asma – pasiënte deelgeneem het aan besluite rakende hul asma, en tevrede was met die kwaliteit van sorg wat hulle ontvang het, die voorkoms van rook onder asma – pasiënte hoog was, en geleenthede vir rookstaking – berading was gemis. Alhoewel dokumentasie van piekvloei – opnames en pasiënte se kennis van die verskil tussen die verligter en kontroleerder - gemeterde dosis inhaleerders goed was, was pasiënte se persepsies met betrekking tot opvoeding in die inhaleringstegniek, die assessering van die vlak van beheer, die uitreiking van geskrewe inligting ten opsigte van asma, en die gebruik van asma – selfbestuurplanne steeds swak en kon dit verbeter word. Met betrekking tot bewysgebaseerde praktyk en asmariglyn – implementering in primêre gesondheidsorg: Die vyfde doelwit van die studie is aangespreek by wyse van ‘n opname wat getoon het dat die dokters in primêre gesondheidsorg bewyse in kliniese besluitneming gebruik het, en saamgestem het met die nuttigheid en belangrikheid van bewysgebaseerde praktyk in die verbetering van die kwaliteit van pasiëntsorg in Suid – Afrika. Daar was ‘n verskil in omgang met aktiwiteite wat verband hou met bewysgebaseerde praktyke tussen die openbare – en privaatsektordokters. Daar is dus ‘n behoefte aan formele opleiding in die vaardighede en prosesse van bewysgebaseerde praktyke. Die sesde doelwit is aangespreek by wyse van ‘n opname wat getoon het dat ‘n goeie proporsie van beide openbare en privaatsektordokters in die Kaapstad- metropool wel bewus was van die asmariglyn en het spesifieke riglyn – aanbevelings aangeneem, daarop gereageer en nagekom. Daar was ‘n hoë vlak van algemene bewustheid van die asmariglyn, en aanbevelings was aangeneem in die praktyk, alhoewel daar verbeter kon word op die gebrek aan formele siekteregisters, monitering en evaluering van asmasorg, en die benutting van ‘n asma – selfbestuurplan. Die sewende doelwit is aangespreek deur kwalitatiewe navorsing wat getoon het hoe die persepsies en perspektiewe van gesinspraktisyns ten opsigte van bewysgebaseerde praktyk en die proses van riglyn – implementering bygedra het tot die ontwikkeling van ‘n konseptuele raamwerk vir die proses van riglyn – implementering. Die agste doelwit is aangespreek deur kwalitatiewe navorsing, wat hindernisse in elke stap van die implementeringsproses identifiseer het. Tydbeperkings, praktisynswerklading, gebrek aan finansiële hulpbronne, gebrek aan eienaarskap, die gebrek aan tydige organisasie – ondersteuning en praktisynsweerstand ten opsigte van verandering, was belangrike hindernisse in riglyn – implementering in ‘n reeds oorlaaide primêre sorg – omgewing. ‘n Konseptuele model is ontwikkel wat getoon het dat die proses van riglyn – implementering aangepas moet word by die geïdentifiseerde hindernisse. Die negende doelwit is aangespreek by wyse van ‘n opname wat getoon het dat die konsep van bewysgebaseerde praktyk betreklik nuut was vir kliniese verpleegpraktisyns in primêre gesondheidsorg, en het ‘n behoefte geïdentifiseer om meer hieroor te leer. Kliniese verpleegpraktisyns het saamgestem dat kliniese navorsing nuttig is in die daaglikse bestuur van pasiënte, dat hul besluitneming gebaseer moet wees op bewyse, dat bewysgebaseerde verpleging die kwaliteit van pasiëntsorg kan verbeter, dat daar ‘n plek is vir bewysgebaseerde verpleging in hul praktyke by hul onderskeie gemeenskap-gesondheidsentrums, dat bewysgebaseerde praktyk ‘n verskil sal maak in die kwaliteit van sorg van hul pasiënte, en dat bewysgebaseerde verpleegpraktyk ‘n belangrike rol kan speel in Suid – Afrika. Alhoewel die bewustheid onder kliniese verpleegpraktisyns met betrekking tot die asmariglyne swak was, het die oorgrote meerderheid verslag gegee dat hulle die pasiënte persoonlik opgevoed het oor die verskil tussen verligting – en beheerder gemeterde dosis - inhaleerders, die rookstatus van pasiënte in die verslae opgeteken het, die inhaleringstegniek aan al hul pasiënte gedemonstreer het, die vlak van beheer geassesseer het, en saamgestem dat geïnhaleerde kortikosteroïede die staatmaker van behandeling is in pasiënte met chroniese, aanhoudende asma. Slegs ‘n klein minderheid (hoofsaaklik by die gemeenskap – gesondheidsentrums waar aksienavorsing geskied) het egter begin om pasiënte van asma – selfbestuurplanne te voorsien. In die beantwoording van die sentrale vraag: “Hoe kan die proses van implementering van kliniese navorsingsbewyse, deur die voorbeeld van die nasionale bewysgebaseerde riglyne oor asma, verbeter word in die primêre gesondheidsorgsektor in die Metropooldistrik - gesondheidstelsel van die Kaapstad – metropool?”, kom hierdie tesis tot die gevolgtrekking dat die proses van riglyn – implementering in die primêre gesondheidsorg verbeter kan word deur ‘n in – diepte begrip en sistematiese benadering tot die hele proses. ‘n Konseptuele raamwerk word voorsien as ‘n model wat poog om te lei en sin te maak van hierdie proses van riglyn – implementering. ‘n Stapsgewyse benadering word aangebied en verskaf ‘n opsomming van die hoof – navorsingbevindinge. Die model toon dat die aanvanklike proses van bewyse – skepping nie slegs navorsingbewyse van hoë kwaliteit moet oorweeg nie, maar navorsingbewyse moet inkorporeer wat relevant is tot die bepaalde konteks van sorg. Boonop toon die model dat riglyn – ontwikkeling inklusief behoort te wees, en behels dit ‘n wyer spektrum van rolspelers sowel as pasiënte; dat riglyn – kontekstualisering, verspreiding en implementering versigtig beplan behoort te word. Spesiale oorweging moet gegee word aan plaaslike besluitneming oor die aanneming of prioritisering van spesifieke aanbevelings as deel van volgehoue kwaliteitverbeteringsiklusse, en die omskakeling van gepubliseerde riglyne na praktiese hulpmiddels vir praktisyns om te gebruik in die konsultasiefase, alvorens verspreiding daarvan plaasvind. Implementering behoort te verwag dat lede van die primêre gesondheidsorg sal verskil in hul gereedheid om te verander, en dat strategieë doelbewus die beginsels van gedragsverandering sal insluit en ‘n gevoel kweek van eienaarskap, keuse en beheer oor plaaslike aanneming van die riglyne. Akademiese sentrums, soos universiteite en professionele liggame, het ‘n rol om te speel in die identifisering, gehalteversekering en sintetisering van die bewyse, en om insette te lewer in die riglyn - ontwikkeling. Hulle kan ook behulpsaam wees deur praktiese hulpmiddels te innoveer en te evalueer as deel van die kontekstualiseringfase, en om deurlopende opvoeding te verskaf gedurende implementering as deel van hul sosiale verantwoordelikheid. Die gesondheidsorg – organisasies moet onnodige vertragings in riglyn – implementering voorkom deur te verseker dat beleid, bronne en aanbevelings in lyn is gedurende die kontekstualiseringsfase; dat hindernisse wat teëgekom word, regdeur die hele proses hanteer word, en dat volgehoue monitering en evaluering van kwaliteitsorg plaasvind. Gevolgtrekking Hierdie navorsing het van verskillende metodes en innoverende deelnemende aksienavorsing gebruik gemaak om die gaping tussen bewyse en praktyk te sluit. ‘n Nuwe konseptuele model vir riglyn – implementering word aanbeveel vir gebruik om behulpsaam te wees met die implementering en kennis -translasie in primêre gesondheidsorg plaaslik, nasionaal en in soortgelyke lae - en middel - inkomstelande in Afrika.

Bibliography: leaves 129-134.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the views of both preparers and users of financial statements on a number of issues related to South African Futures Exchange (SAFEX) financial instruments. These issues related to the perceptions of the SAFEX market price as a measure of fair value for financial reporting purposes, as well as perceptions of the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) asset and liability definition. These were formulated into the hypotheses set out in chapter 1. The objectives of the study were achieved by a literature search related to financial instruments and SAFEX, as well as empirical data collection through the use of postal questionnaires and the evaluation thereof.

The focus of the study is to investigate the factors that impact on effective implementation of a performance management system at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the Eastern Cape Region, Nelson Mandela Metro District. It is said that an organisational success in service delivery largely depends on the efficiency and effectiveness of its employees in undertaking their functions, duties and responsibilities (Ntombela, Mpehle and Penciliah, 2010: 63).

This study is premised on the assumption that women’s right to political participation in Africa is vital, especially as women constitute half of the population in African states. Since the 1990s, much attention has been focussed on the role of women in African politics. Consequently, women’s inclusion, especially in legislatures and in the executive arm of government, has increased during this period. International and national law, combined with political will, have been relied upon to ensure that women are included in key decisionmaking positions in national government. However, women’s political participation in local government has received less attention, despite the fact that local government may be the level of government best suited to positively impact on women’s daily lives. Four of the leading African states in respect of women’s political participation in local government are Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda. The study focuses on these states with a view to establishing the extent to which they have domesticated international norms that advance women’s political participation in local government. Surveying relevant international instruments at the global and Africa regional level, the study establishes that generally, international law recognises women’s right to participate in politics. Local government was, in particular, not even mentioned and participation in local government could be inferred from the wider right to political participation. However, recent developments in international law are increasingly paying attention to local government. In addition, attention is increasingly being paid to ensuring that women enjoy the right to political participation on the basis of equality with men. Consequently, parity in representation is being promoted and states are expected to domesticate the international norms to which they are parties in order to realise the goal of equality in political participation. States have made efforts to domesticate international norms by including them in their constitutions or legislation. In addition, states have put in place temporary special measures focussing on the area of local government. These measures are to be utilised by states, to ensure that women participate more fully in local government. vi With respect to the four states under investigation, it is observed that there is a limited application of temporary special measures that can be used to promote women’s political participation in local government. In terms of the actual extent of women’s participation, the limited available data illustrates a relatively high percentage of women in local government, especially at the level of councillors where all the four states reviewed are performing reasonably well. None of the four states has attained gender parity among directly elected councillors even though the number of women councillors is fairly high in some of the states. Among other senior local government positions, the rate of including women is inconsistent. In some cases women are included in substantial numbers but there are also cases were the inclusion of women is disconcertingly low. States are also failing to provide detailed information on women’s political participation across all portfolios in local government. The implication of such shortcomings is that the actual levels of women’s inclusion remain largely unknown and therefore efforts to address women’s marginalisation are undermined. In order to ensure increased political participation of women at the local government level, a number of measures must be taken. First, efforts should be made at the international level to further elaborate the right to political participation with particular reference to local government, especially in so far as indirectly elected or appointed office is concerned. These are areas of local government where the current norms do not sufficiently advance women’s inclusion and as a result inclusion of women is inconsistent. Second, human rights treaty bodies should pay greater attention to questioning states on their performance in including women in local government. Questioning state performance will create greater awareness and increase the attention that states pay to women’s political participation in local government. Third, concerted efforts should be made to streamline legislation on local government in the four states under review with a view to making it simpler, clearer and consistent. The current proliferation of laws can create challenges in understanding the extent to which the law promotes women’s political participation in local government. Finally, the four states should display greater transparency with regard to providing data on women’s political participation in local government. Providing sufficient data would enable proper scrutiny and provide a diachronic picture of developments as far as women and men’s political participation in local government is concerned.
Thesis (LLD)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
gm2014
Centre for Human Rights
Unrestricted

Magister Legum - LLM
The right to a basic education is recognised as an essential right in international and regional law, with numerous instruments regulating it.1 There are soft laws, in the form of General Comment documents, which provide guidelines to interpreting this right.2 Among these instruments, for example, the International Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights (hereafter referred to as ‘the ICESCR’) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (hereafter referred to as ‘the ACHPR’) implore member states to ensure that every child within their jurisdiction is able to gain access to education.3 The ICESCR acknowledges that basic education as a socio-economic right is realisable overtime, its full realisation dependent on the availability of state resources.4 Furthermore, the state is required to ensure that ‘scientific and technical knowledge’ is made accessible, thus incorporating modern teaching and learning methods.5 In addition, the state is called to ensure that the quality of their education is acceptable and of a similar standard in all of their public schools.6 Moreover, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (hereafter referred to as the ‘CRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (hereafter referred to as the ‘ACRWC’) require the state to take measures that will encourage learners to attend school regularly and thus reduce the dropout rates.7 These instruments lay down normative standards, giving guidance on the content of the right to basic education, i.e. defining what availability, accessibility, acceptability, and the adaptability (4As) means within the broader context of the right to basic education. The right to a basic education, in theory is immediately realisable; however in practice, it can be argued that it is being treated like other socio-economic rights, subjected to the principle of progressive realisation.8 This right, unlike other socio-economic rights in South Africa, is sui generis, it has no internal qualifiers, meaning that it can only be limited in terms of a law of general application that is reasonable and justifiable in an open and democratic society founded on human dignity, freedom and equality.9As a party to most of the above instruments, the post-apartheid government of South Africa through its Constitution10, has entrenched the right to basic education under section 29(1)(a). Through this constitutional recognition, numerous legislation and policy documents have been enacted, which directly deal with the implementation of this right.11 Accordingly, the following selected legal instruments have been essential tools used to assist the relevant stakeholders with defining and implementing the right to a basic education , not just at the national level but also provincially.12 These instruments are the South African Schools Act,13 National Education Policy Act14 and the Employment of Educators Act,15 which are the main statutes on basic education. In addition, the Eastern Cape Schools Education Act,16 Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act,17 Children's Act,18 Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act,19 Criminal Procedure Act and the Refugees Act,20 which shall be discussed in detail in chapter 4 of the study When assessing the availability, accessibility, and the acceptability of basic education resources in the Eastern Cape (hereafter referred to as ‘the EC’), the province appears to be lagging when compared to some of the other provinces. For instance, the National Education Infrastructure Management System Report (hereafter referred to as ‘NEIMSR’) stated that out of the 5393 schools audited from the EC, 1945 of these schools had pits and 37 had no sanitation facilities21. In addition, 92.99% of the 5393 schools in the province do not have libraries and 4.21 % of the schools recorded have adequately resourced libraries.22 This is to be contrasted to 63.24% schools that have libraries in Gauteng.23 In addition, the illiteracy rate in the province is estimated at 10, 4% when compared to other provinces, which is against the background that the province has experienced a decline in learner enrolment over the last few years.

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this thesis is to assess the performance appraisal system, namely the Performance Enhancement Process (PEP), of the South African Police Services at Parow. The premise of the study is that PEP is a sound policy document, but that there are potential problems with its implementation at station level. To this end, the reader is presented with an overview of the relevant literature pertaining to performance appraisals. The shift in managerial philosophy and the organisational change from a force to a service and its effect on performance appraisals are discussed. The results of the empirical study are presented and it is concluded that there are various problems with the implementation of PEP at station level. The researcher presents the following practical recommendations: - Conduct an audit; - Eliminate structural problems; - Adequate appraiser training; - Appraisee training; - Connect the PA system to other organisation systems; and - Obtain a charter from top management. The reader is then presented with a conclusion of the research.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die tesis is om die prestasie waardering stelsel van die Suid Afrikaanse Polisie Dienste, naamlik die Prestasie Verbeterings Proses (PEP), te evalueer te Parow. Die uitgangspunt van die studie is dat PEP ‘n gesonde beleidsdokument is, maar dat daar egter potensiële probleme is met die implementering daarvan op stasie vlak. Om hieraan te voldoen, word die leser voorsien van ‘n oorsig oor die toepaslike literatuur betrokke tot prestasie waardering. Die verskuiwing in bestuursfilosofie en die organisatoriese verandering van ‘n mag tot ‘n diens en die effek op prestasie waardering word bespreek. Die uitslae van die empiriese studie word aangebied en die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat daar wel verskeie probleme is met die implementering van PEP op stasievlak. Die navorser bied die volgende prakiese aanbevelings aan: - Die aanvoer van ‘n oudit; - Eliminering van struktuele probleme; - Voldoende “appraiser” opleiding; - “Appraisee” opleiding; - Opkoppeling van die waardeeringstelsel met ander organisatoriese stelsels; en - Kry ‘n handves van topbestuur. Die leser voorsien van ’n gevolgtrekking oor die studie.

The application of mathematical ways of thinking to nearly all the major fields of knowledge in recent times has increased the value of mathematics in society ... schools, therefore, are increasingly confronted with the task of developing to the maximum the mathematical abilities and interests of all its pupils with the view of meeting the needs of society. This includes an appreciation and understanding of the aesthetic and abstract qualities of mathematics as well as a knowledge of its utilitarian value in society. The question arises whether schools are achieving this? (Chapter 1, p. 3)

This thesis concentrates upon a new field of research in South African accounting scholarship – this being, in general terms, accounting history and more specifically an analysis of the origins of the Public Accountants’ and Auditors’ Board as watch-dog in relation to: ● the South African economy in the period 1913–1940; and ● the changing political framework (also in the period 1913–1940). The integration of economy, politics and personal ambition on the part of early 20th Century accounting societies, led to a variety of responses, counter proposals, stalemates and unfocused activity which caused the process of accountants’ registration to extend over 38 years in South Africa. This confusion was in strong contrast to the process of speedy registration of accountants in New Zealand and Australia. The final unification of South African accounting societies in 1951 created the Public Accountants’ and Auditors’ Board. Its creation, at long last, suggested an overarching control and regulation which was mirrored in the final political unification and economic stability of a South Africa dominated by Afrikaner Nationalists. One further element was interwoven into the fabric of the thesis – this being the application of institutional economic theory and its impact upon the accounting concepts of “material irregularity” and “reportable irregularity”.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Curriculum Studies)) --University of Limpopo, 2013
After the establishment of the first democratic government in South Africa in 1994, the Education Ministry started transforming the apartheid education system into the democratic education system aimed at achieving equity, redress and access to education. Amongst the policies developed, were South African Schools Act (Act No. 84 of 1996), National Norms and Standards for School Funding, Exemption of Parents from Payment of School Fees Regulations, Education Laws Amendment Act (Act No. 24 of 2005), Amended National Norms and Standards For School Funding, and No- Fee School Policy. In this study, I analysed how schools in Bolobedu cluster circuits of Mopani District implemented the No-Fee School policy regarding the use and management of school finances. Qualitative case study was used. Four schools, two primary and two secondary schools, were sampled. Three methods of data collection were used: interviews, document analysis (school records such as SGB minutes, finance policy, School Business Plan/School Development Plan, budgets, auditors’ reports, etc.) and observation. Interviews were conducted with school principals, teachers, parents and learners. The research findings indicate that the three SGBs have the capacity to practise good financial management in relation to the No-Fee school policy, although they still need to improve on some areas of responsibility. These SGBs demonstrated sound and good practice in the use and management of school finances. However, one SGB was struggling to practice good financial management responsibility. This school has the potential to improve its capacity to execute its financial responsibility if provided with support. Key words: South African Schools Act (SASA), National Norms and Standards for School Funding (NNSSF), Amended National Norms and Standards For School Funding (ANNSSF), No-Fee School Policy, Equity, Access and Redress, Use and management of school finances.