This research project investigated the applicability of the 4As framework amongst the lowincome consumers for self-help housing in South Africa based on the study by Anderson and Billou (2007). In their research they established that in the heart of all organisations’ success in serving the low-income consumer; there is development of an approach that delivers the 4As, namely: acceptability, availability, affordability and awareness. South Africa, like the rest of the developing world, has a dire need to address poverty with regards to shelter as a more visible dimension of poverty. The lack of housing delivery has persisted despite South Africa putting in place a number of housing initiatives meant to alleviate the housing backlog. This research was conducted under the assumption that when people have control and responsibility over key decisions in the housing process (self-help housing), that helps break the barrier to alleviation of poverty and lack of reasonable housing. Recognition of any continuous improvement idea in low-cost housing (like the 4As framework), should help strengthen the self-help housing efforts and help the state achieve more with less effort. The study was conducted using quantitative method - focused on the consumer perspective and was confined to household owners whose earnings are less than R3,500 per month. This was the target group in the scope of the study regarded as the lowincome housing consumer and were designated as ‘poor’ for purposes of this study. The study found that the 4As framework does work and can be applied in the low-income consumer market for self-help housing needs. The research also found that affordability and availability were the highest rated by the poor consumers confirming the theory that affordability and availability of products amongst the low-income consumers are the main barriers. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

This thesis examines the extent to which Kenya’s domestic legal framework vindicates indigenous peoples’ land rights. The question of who is an indigenous person in Kenya is, of course, controversial. In order to avoid becoming enmeshed in this debate, this thesis adopts the approach of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which is based on identifying the key concerns faced by marginalised communities who self-identify as indigenous peoples. Such an approach assumes that it really does not matter which label attaches to a group of people when vindicating their fundamental rights, provided that those rights are indeed available to be vindicated. In keeping with this assumption, the main argument of this thesis is that indigenous peoples’ core claim to land rights in Kenya can be accommodated within the mainstream legal framework, including the Constitution, legislation, and judicial decisions. In arguing thus, this thesis contradicts the common assumption, shared by numerous African states, that satisfying indigenous peoples’ claims requires a special legal framework. This assumption is all too often used to deny indigenous peoples’ claims on the basis that satisfying them requires preferential treatment. On the contrary, this thesis argues, it is possible to meet indigenous peoples’ claims by adopting general legal measures aimed at redressing past injustices and continuing socio-economic deprivation and inequality. This thesis further argues that measures aimed at redressing past injustices and alleviating current socio-economic inequality should take into account the particular circumstances of the groups targeted. In the case of indigenous peoples, who rely on their traditional lands for economic sustenance, and for whom land has a special cultural and spiritual significance, this means that the restitution of land should be central to any attempt to redress their particular concerns. As a practical matter, indigenous peoples’ land rights in Kenya may be vindicated in two main ways. The first is through a progressive interpretation of the existing legal framework by courts. Such interpretation hinges on giving effect to existing provisions in Kenya’s Constitution, particularly the right to life, non-discrimination and equality, protection from deprivation of property, and the Trust lands provisions. Progressive interpretation of the existing legal framework could also include recognition and application of the concept of indigenous title. The second way in which indigenous peoples’ land rights may be vindicated is by reforming the law to cater for all previously marginalised groups. Such reforms should include support for land restitution and redistribution, and equal application of African customary law. The first way in which indigenous peoples’ land rights may be vindicated is predicated on judicial activism. Using a court case by the Ogiek indigenous community, this thesis argues that, while the Kenyan legal framework has the potential to protect the land rights of indigenous peoples, its interpretation by the courts has been restrictive. It is therefore imperative that the law should be reformed to accommodate the rights of all marginalised groups. Such reforms need not be specifically designed to protect indigenous peoples, but rather all communities and individuals who are not adequately protected by the existing legal framework. A case study of the Maasai indigenous community is also undertaken to highlight the limitations of assimilationist legal measures that, far from protecting the groups they are meant to assist, instead entrench the status quo. The Maasai group ranches scheme, while ostensibly anchored in the legal framework, was designed to convert otherwise harmonious community land relations to a statutory regime that ignored community traditions and the Maasai’s preferred way of life. The failure of this scheme and the eventual subdivision of Maasai land provide strong evidence of the lack of appreciation and regard for Kenya’s indigenous peoples and the fundamental principles of justice, non-discrimination and equality prevailing at that time. The legal reform option for vindicating indigenous peoples’ rights is dependent upon political processes. By recourse to two comparable experiences, South Africa and Namibia, the thesis demonstrates that indigenous peoples’ land rights can be vindicated through a legal framework adopted to cater for all previously marginalized groups. Albeit fraught with constraints, South Africa’s indigenous peoples have utilised the legal reforms that were enacted to redress the historical injustices of the apartheid regime. Although Namibia has also adopted some legal reforms, especially relating to land redistribution, the apparent lack of political will to address the rights of her most marginalised communities hampers their effectiveness. The Namibian case shows that political processes can not be relied upon to right the wrongs suffered by marginalised peoples, especially when those groups lack political clout. However, as in South Africa, where the end of apartheid provided an ideal political environment to press for reforms that would cater for marginalised peoples’ needs, the political crisis following the December 2007 elections in Kenya provides an important window of opportunity. In the negotiations that followed this crisis, land reform has been identified as one of the key issues that demands comprehensive resolution for peace and prosperity to prevail. It is therefore imperative that genuine reforms that accord all Kenyan people an equitable share of her resources and address historical land injustices are adopted. Such reforms, it is argued, would enable indigenous people to vindicate their land rights, alongside other marginalised peoples. / Thesis (LLD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Centre for Human Rights / unrestricted

In delivering Safety in systems it is not only essential to ensure that each part of the system is safe but that account is taken of the interrelationship between the components of the system and the relationship with its environment. When viewed from a System Engineering perspective safety is often "pigeon-holed" into non-functional aspects, while, when viewed from the standpoint of Engineering Management it is considered in terms of organisational culture. In reality, both views must be considered.

Open–framework inorganic materials are an important class of compounds because of their many applications in the areas of ion–exchange, separation and catalysis. Ever since the discovery of microporous aluminophosphates by Flanigen and co–workers in the early 80’s, the field of open–framework compounds has witnessed explosive growth. It is now established that the open–framework compounds comprise of almost all the elements of the periodic table. In addition, it has been shown that the inorganic anions in the open–framework compounds can be partially substituted by rigid organic linkers such as the oxalate. The resulting inorganic–organic hybrid structures are interesting due to the variable nature of the binding properties of the organic and inorganic moieties. The present thesis consists of systematic studies on the formation of amine–templated inorganic open–framework structures and inorganic–organic hybrid compounds based on the main group, transition metal and actinide elements. In Chapter 1 of the thesis an overview of inorganic open-framework materials is presented, with an emphasis on the elements that have been employed in the present study. Chapter 2 has two parts (Parts A and B) describing the synthesis and structure of open-framework tin(II) containing compounds. In Part A, the syntheses and structures of amine–templated tin(II) phosphates are presented, and in Part B, the syntheses and structures of a family of tin(II) oxalate compounds are discussed. Weak intermolecular forces such as hydrogen-bond interactions, π•••π interactions, and lone-pair–π interactions have been observed in these compounds, and appear to lend structural stability. As part of this study, efforts have been made to evaluate the energies associated with the π•••π interactions and the lone-pair–π interactions using suitable theoretical models. In Chapter 3, a new family of organically templated hybrid materials based on indium, synthesized by partially substituting the inorganic anion (phosphite/phosphate/suphate) by the oxalate group, is presented. These compounds exhibit a wide range of structures in which the oxalates play a variety of roles. The observation of the first zero-dimensional molecular hybrid structure and the isolation of concomitant polymorphic compounds is noteworthy. The molecular hybrid structure is reactive and undergoes transformation reactions under both acidic and basic conditions. In Chapter 4, the synthesis and structural studies of five new open–framework phosphate and phosphite compounds of gallium are presented. All the compounds have three-dimensional structures, and the formation of a gallium phosphate based on only one type of building unit (spiro–5) is noteworthy. While a large number of organically templated transition metal phosphates have been synthesized, studies on transition metal phosphites are not many. In Chapter 5, the synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a family of transition metal (cobalt, vanadium, manganese) phosphite structures templated by the organic amines are presented. A previously known vanadyl phosphite has also been isolated and investigated by temperature dependent ESR and magnetic susceptibility studies. All the transition metal compounds exhibit antiferromagnetic behavior. In Chapter 6, the synthesis, structure, and transformation reactions in amine-templated actinide phosphonoacetates are presented. The compounds, which are based on uranium and thorium, are built up from the connectivity between the metal polyhedra and the phosphonoacetate/oxalate units, forming two– and three–dimensional structures. It has been shown that the two–dimensional uranyl phosphonoacetate–oxalate compound can be prepared by two different synthetic approaches: (i) solvent–free solid state reaction at 150˚C and (ii) room temperature mechanochemical (grinding) route. The formation of oxalate hybrids using the phosphonocarboxylate ligand is a new approach in the synthesis of multi-component hybrid compounds.

Opportunities for supporting physician continuing professional development (CPD) may exist through careful instructional design and creative use of information and communication technology. The overarching goal of this study was to explore the learning experiences and outcomes of cardiologists participating in a web conference (“webinar”) series to understand the factors that can support webinars in being an appealing and satisfying CPD medium for these learners. Acknowledging that a pedagogically-based framework for program design is a cornerstone of effective CPD (Hutchinson & Estabrooks, 2009; Inan & Lowther, 2007; Casimiro, MacDonald, Thompson, & Stodel, 2009), this study used the W(e)Learn Framework (MacDonald, Stodel, Thompson, & Casimiro, 2009) as a process guide and quality standard for program design, development and delivery. Cardiologists voluntarily participated in an educational webinar series in which they shared their observations and experiences. Informed by the results of a systematic review of physician eLearning design preferences, this dissertation serves as a mechanism to learn about how webinars can be implemented to support learning and practice change within a population of highly specialized physician learners. Methodological approaches included a systematic review of literature examining physician preferences for eLearning design, a case study of webinar implementation, and interviews with cardiologists who participated in the webinars. The findings of the systematic review, the case study and the interviews aligned to characterize key considerations in webinar implementation. Webinar designers must carefully determine program structures, content, and media to create a satisfying learning experience. Cardiologists seek a webinar experience that responds to their professional reality of competing priorities, complex patients, and ambiguous clinical questions. They seek a mix of evidence-based, authentic and challenging content, delivered by credible content experts. The study found that purposefully designed webinars can be a satisfying learning experience for cardiologists with the potential to influence changes in knowledge and practice. The use of an instructional design framework may structure and enrich webinar implementation; this dissertation encourages their use.

Tato diplomová práce se zabývá problematikou servisně orientované architektury a služeb, které tvoří její základní stavební prvky. Jejím cílem je vymezení způsobu, jakým lze navrhovat jednotlivé podnikové aktivity jako služby, které jsou založeny na podobném principu a disponují stejnými charakteristikami jako služby, které jsou navrhovány na technologické úrovni SOA. Práce je rozdělena do pěti částí. Smyslem prvních čtyřech je vytvoření určitého teoretického základu, který je následně využit pro účely prakticky orientovaného příkladu, který se zabývá identifikací služeb. První část je věnována vysvětlení podstaty a významu enterprise architektury. Na ní navazuje další část, která ze zabývá architektonickými frameworky a jejímž smyslem je popsání charakteristik frameworku NGOSS (New Generation Operations Systems and Software), který je určen pro poskytovatele telekomunikačních služeb. Nástroje tohoto frameworku, kterými jsou datový model eTOM (enhanced Telecom Operations Map) a datový model SID (Shared Information/Data Model) jsou využívány v již zmiňované závěrečné části. Předposlední část práce je věnována teoretickému pojednání o servisně orientované architektuře a službách. Kapitola obsahuje popis procesu zavádění servisně orientované architektury a dále uvádí charakteristiky, kterými by měli služby disponovat. Závěr práce je věnován názornému příkladu, jak přistupovat k identifikaci služeb. V rámci závěrečné části je jednak navrhován postup, jak služby identifikovat na základě podnikových procesů a jednak jsou zde demonstrovány a hodnoceny možnosti využití obou zmiňovaných nástrojů frameworku NGOSS v rámci tohoto postupu

The thesis is concerned with a comparison of Java web framework OpenXava and frameworks Grails, Zend, Play, Nette, Node.JS and Symfony processed by authors Odehnal [17], Kadlec [12], Kočárek [14] and Dočkal [6]. It contains theoretical part concerned with development and architecture of framework, which provides a comprehensive picture of working with OpenXava. The practical part contains particular sample application of the specifications of which come from the thesis created by František OdehnalIt contains theoretical part concerned with development and architecture of framework, which provides a comprehensive picture of working with OpenXava. The practical part contains particular sample application of the specifications of which come from the thesis created by František Odehnal [17]. The process of its development is described in detail and completes information from the official documentation of OpenXava framework. As a result of the knowledge gained during the development of the sample application, great comparison of the above-mentioned frameworks and OpenXava is contained. The comparison involves several areas. At the beginning, general differences of frameworks and implementation of Martin Fowler´s design patterns are compared. The next area is carried out in working within framework and covers objective criteria as well as a subjective point of view. The last area is concerned with a support of the frameworks and examines availability of literature, support from its developers and also how much it is widespread among the professional public. The results of the comparison should make the orientation in the market of web frameworks easier.

The thesis complements a comparison of two frameworks for Java platform and PHP language by third framework for .NET platform. As the main source of comparison serves thesis by František Odehnal and a sample application developed in ASP.NET MVC framework. Thanks to the detailed description of the application development and application of reasonable complexity thesis can serve as a study material for novice developers. A secondary aim of this thesis is to complete the context of web application development, by analyzing trends in rapid application development (RAD) and through presentation of .NET platform. Following František Odehnal's methodology this thesis complements comparison of Grails and Zend frameworks by ASP.NET MVC framework. The first area comparisons are fundamental differences between the frameworks. A comparison of architecture of frameworks follows and criteria are based on the architectural patterns of Martin Fowler. Working with frameworks is compared by using objective criteria and personal opinions. These areas are complemented by comparison of frameworks support (publications, discussion groups, etc.). Completed comparison allows the reader to get an overview of frameworks for rapid application development on the three major platforms. This can help novice developers in deciding which framework to test or use. Presentation of the platform and the trend analysis provides additional useful information not only for novice developers.

The thesis compares web frameworks Ruby on Rails and Grails. The main goal of the thesis is to compare which of these frameworks is more convenient for development of web applications using wide range of criteria. The first part of the thesis defines fundamental terms to understand the web frameworks topic. Subsequently the thesis analyzes the history, language and fundamental characteristics of both frameworks. The next section describes all the details of the reference applications in Ruby on Rails and Grails, that are part of this diploma thesis. The most important part of this thesis is the comparison of both frameworks using a number of criteria. The thesis should provide sufficient amount of information to understand the web frameworks, to obtain the fundamentals for working with the web frameworks Ruby and Rails and Grails and it should bring enough information for optimum choice between these frameworks for development of web application and for future studies. The thesis could be of benefit to both students, that decide what to study in the future, and managers or project leaders, that decide which web framework to use.

Independent financial advisers have to address different problems as they pro¬gress through the life cycle stages of their businesses. A number of researchers, however, are of the opinion that small business owners do not have the ability to manage the growth-related transitions effectively. It appears that additional guidance is needed to assist independent financial advisers with the survival and growth of their small businesses. Until now, only a small amount of research has been conducted in this area and no formal research study has proposed a marketing mix framework for these advisers, portraying the various factors threatening their survival and growth in their organisational life cycle, as well as the various marketing mix strategies that can be implemented to proactively manage the problems and help generate sales growth. The objective of this study was to propose such a framework to offer additional assistance for business survival and sales growth. This study was exploratory in nature and commenced with a comprehensive lit¬erature investigation to gain the necessary background to support the empirical part of the study. Different opinions and studies were presented and evaluated, which led to the identification of a general business life cycle model as well as a number of problems and marketing mix solutions that could potentially occur in each life cycle stage. These literature findings were then further investigated among independent financial advisers by means of telephone and personal interviews. Following the empirical findings, the recommended framework suggests that independent financial advisers may experience three types of problems in their businesses: critical problems, important problems and problems that only need consideration. Independent financial advisers can use four groups of recom¬mended marketing mix strategies to address these problems. There are also four groups of recommended marketing mix strategies that can assist these advisers to grow their sales (commission). These advisers would, however, need to ensure that they are aware of and understand the various environmental factors that can hinder the successful implementation of the marketing mix strategies. They also need to be able to use the recommended counterstrategies to address the environmental factors. Ultimately, the successful implementation of the recommended marketing mix strategies could then help independent financial advisers to grow their businesses and progress to a more advanced life cycle stage. / Thesis (DCom)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Marketing Management / DCom / Unrestricted