Today's globalised team culture of business places a premium on effective social skill, as social skill is needed for effective leadership, customer services, negotiation as well as for the acquiring and sharing of information. Psychological tests are commonly used as aids in determining whether individuals have the necessary skills for a specific job. Practically all psychometric tests are western in origin, which implies that the measuring of the psychological constructs are based upon a western culture. This brings into question the bias and validity of psychometric instruments when utilised on other cultures, as constructs may not be similarly defined or interpreted in all cultural groups. Construct equivalence implies that the same construct is measured across all cultural groups being studied, regardless of whether or not the measurement of the construct is based on identical instruments across all cultures. Construct equivalence is thus a pre-requisite for valid comparison of scores across the cultural groups being studied. The aim of this study is therefore to determine the construct equivalence of the PIB/SpEEx Socialization Index for job applicants from diverse cultural backgrounds in the public safety and security sector in South Africa. Exploratory- as well as Confirmatory Factor Analytic techniques were used to determine the intercultural equivalence of the sociability and the A-sociability constructs underlying the PIB/SpEEx Socialisation Index. Preliminary single group Confirmatory Factor analysis was conducted to establish how good the data fit the model in respect of each of the cultural groups, followed by a multi-group analysis of factorial invariance. The results of this study revealed that the constructs of the PIB/SpEEx Socialisation Index are equivalent for the Black, Asian, White and Coloured groups. / Dissertation (MCom (Human Resources Management))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

Through the process of selection the measurement and prediction of behaviour has become an important activity in the field of psychology, especially in the workplace. A dynamic selection process can assist the organisation in identifying individuals who best suite it’s needs. Psychometric testing is the most common procedure in the prediction of human behaviour during selection. Seeing that not all instruments are valid and reliable, much controversy still exists on the use of such instruments in South Africa. Only by introducing instruments that apply to these criteria will psychometrics have a future in labour practices. The purpose of this study was to assess the construct validity of the First View™ , an instrument originating in the United States, for selection purposes in South Africa. By incorporating personality and cognitive ability into one instrument, First View™ , as a psychometric instrument, can be used in selection to determine job performance. The cognitive scale is based on Guilford’s Structure of Intellect and the personal scale on the Big Five Personality factors. The reliability and validity of this instrument have proved to be high in the United States. In order to investigate validity, First View™ had to be correlated with well established and valid South African instruments. In this study the Differential Aptitude test (DAT) and 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire SA-92 (16 PF) were used. The three tests were administered to a sample of 229 respondents from different race, gender, age and occupation groups, drawn by means of convenient sampling and random selection. Canonical correlation showed a strong relationship between the independent and dependant variables. From this a conclusion can be drawn that the 16 PF SA-92 and the personal scale of First View™ show a positive interrelationship. The multiple regression indicated a significant relationship between the predictors and the composite criteria, concluding that there is a strong relationship or overlapping between the DAT and cognitive scale of First View™. Thus, results indicate that First View™ can be a valuable instrument in selection. The findings and implications of the study are discussed and recommendations for future studies made. / Dissertation (MCom (Human Resources Management))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

Whether the type of integration pursued is deep or shallow, international cohesion through international trade is accepted as a key to unlock economic welfare of participating states. Trade liberalisation is with no doubt, the key and major driver of globalisation. Amongst other drivers of globalisation foreign direct investment is important. Through foreign direct investment, the backlog of unemployment, underdevelopment and backwardness receive reasonable attention. States less endowed with resources can benefit from those well endowed. It is on this understanding that the world has experienced an unprecedented mushrooming of regional trade agreements with the majority of them geared towards acceleration of economic benefits. Improvement in the efficiency of trade agreements, including maximising economic benefits that flow from foreign direct investment is an essential component of any economic growth and development strategy. In Sub-Saharan Africa where protective policies have not led to broad-based economic growth, gain in the efficiency of attracting foreign direct investment is viewed as necessary for economic growth and the alleviation of rural poverty. As regarding whether all existing trade agreements satisfy the requirements of the Multilateral Trade World Body, GATT/WTO is not what this study seeks to address. Focus in this context is specifically on the SADC Trade Protocol and the Free Trade Area between the European Union and the Republic of South Africa known as EU/RSA Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement. The EU/RSA Free Trade Area has been in operation since 2001 while the SADC region is expected to become a free trade area in 2008. This study provides a methodological investigation using available literature in order to gather necessary legal and economic content of international agreements that should be adhered to with regard to the GATT/WTO rules. It attempts to develop a format to evaluate legal components, checks and balances of intra regional and inter continental trade agreements. It also evaluates the SADC Trade Protocol and the EU/RSA Trade Development and Cooperation Agreement according to the format. This study firstly, finds that there is sufficient literature on both legal and economic aspects of international trade agreements and commitments. Secondly, the SADC Trade Protocol is not compliant on three aspects, namely the doctrines of Home Country Measures, Fair and Equitable Treatment and Employment. Thirdly, the EU/RSA Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement comply with GATT/WTO rules but it must clearly spell out its Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards and consolidate itself on the Fair and Equitable Treatment doctrine. Fourthly, SADC is relevant in the overlapping of membership with other multi - and bi-lateral agreements for as long as such memberships do not disturb the responsibilities and obligations of individual member states to the GATT/WTO. Finally, on economic matters that were evaluated for the betterment of the residents of SADC and EU/RSA Trade, Development Cooperation Agreements’ member states, the study argues that both the SADC Trade Protocol and the EU/RSA Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement have sufficient provisions to ensure that land utilised for mining purposes is rehabilitated so it could be allocated to other economic activities for use; there are some operational restrictions hampering foreign direct investments in the SADC and EU/RSA TDCA’s member states such as lacking customs and Excise services, impediments on land ownership for investments and pressure from domestic interest groups on their governments in fear of FDI competition; there is no effective legislation in the SADC Trade Protocol that provides a requirement for a foreign investor to impart skills to national (domestic) workers so that these workers can confidently hunt for other jobs or enter into business ventures when the investor has left the State (the EU/RSA TDCA has such a provision). The study recognise the SADC Trade Protocol and the EU/RSA Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement as credible and advanced pieces of legislation. Taking into consideration the advanced level of the two Agreements, the study recommends embarking on a fast tracking policy harmonisation process for especially newly joined EU member states and South Africa to ensure uniformity and cohesion; all that has been pointed out as lacking in the two agreements must be rectified in order for the residents of member states to enjoy envisaged economic benefits of being signatories to these Agreements; SADC has to refocus its resources on integrating economies of member states, a move that is likely to reduce wars in the region. Other stricter mechanisms that can enforce compliance with the SADC Trade Protocol (and also with other SADC Agreements) must be explored before SADC can achieve the status of a free trade area. It has to ensure, by way of an example, that outstanding issues are harmonised and all member states move in the same direction to allow for reliable policy reforms and to ensure that institutional arrangements are enhanced to allow for the smooth transition of economies that are not on the same level of development. Whether some of these issues can be achieved remains another challenge that suggests further research. SADC seems to be attempting to emulate the example of the European Union. The European Union came a long way from individual states passing through different stages to become a union. The development of the European Union into a trading block has endowed it with vast negotiating experience. Over time increasingly more resources were devoted ensuring that it becomes a success. Engaging in trade negotiations is costly and wrong policy advice could have high opportunity costs to the EU’s economy. In conclusion, it will be useful to point that this study’s flexibility and its approach to handling a multi-disciplinary investigation with the help of a checklist is recognised as its main strength. / Dissertation (MSc (Agricultural Economics))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

In this study we investigated methods to increase tea quality by developing quality markers for the breeder, as well as methods to improve quality during the manufacturing process. The compounds investigated for identifying quality markers were the major green leaf flavan-3-ols, caffeine and the major theaflavins. To be able to analyze the theaflavins in the manufactured black tea, we developed a non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis method. This non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis method can also be used to improve tea quality by optimizing the black tea manufacturing procedure. We also investigated the ability of improving the tea quality by the addition of tannase to alter the contents of the individual theaflavins in the black tea. To identify flavan-3-ols and theaflavins related to tea quality, twenty good and twenty poor quality tea clones were selected from the breeding programme at the Tea Research Foundation of Central Africa. The contents of the individual flavan-3-ols of fresh tea leaves and the contents of the individual theaflavins were analyzed with capillary electrophoresis. Total theaflavin and individual theaflavin content was determined in the black tea manufactured from the same leaves for each clone. The above parameters were correlated with total scores and valuation from two tea tasters with regression analysis. The significance of the differences between the good and poor quality clones was determined with the Student’s t-test and the distribution free Kruskal-Wallis test. Our results suggest that (-)-epicatechin and (-)-epicatechin gallate contents of the fresh leaf can be used to predict the quality potential of new clones early in the breeding programme. The suitability of quality improvement during the manufacturing stage was also investigated by the addition of tannase. The added tannase resulted in statistical significant increase in free theaflavins. With the use of a low dose of tannase, a significant increase in the tea quality was observed by one tea taster. / Thesis (PhD (Biochemistry))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Biochemistry / unrestricted

This thesis focuses on the design of a lodge and all its components, which include accommodation, exhibition spaces, conference facilities, restaurants, public services, fishing dams and a certain amount of cottages. Regarding accommodation, the proposed lodge would be able to provide for large groups of people, but would still adhere to the more private needs of those individuals who prefer to travel alone. Mkhonda Lodge and Educational farm is situated on farm Madola outside the town of Piet Retief, Mpumalanga. Piet Retief is integrated as part of a major tourist route that connects KwaZulu-Natal with Swaziland and the Kruger National Park. This means that a considerable amount of tourists inevitably pass through the town without adequate available accommodation or restaurants to satisfy their needs. Sustainable building practices and appropriate technologies guide the design process in terms of the use of local materials and labour; construction techniques; and resource and waste management. Local labor plays an important role in an effort to educate the local community. All the buildings are predominantly constructed of straw bales which are used as infill between the timber pole post-and-beam roof structures. Building elements are standardized to create a modular system which adds to the idea of keeping the design simple and easy to construct. The design strives to create spatial balance and harmony for interior and exterior spaces, environmentally friendly yet functional infrastructure and materials, low maintenance, ergonomic solutions, and respect for our environment and resources. The ideal is that visitors are educated in an informal way through experiencing unconventional construction methods and design approaches. In essence, this thesis continuously emphasizes respect for the site, its users through generally integrating a more holistic approach. / Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Architecture / unrestricted

no abstract available / Thesis (PhD (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

no abstract available / Dissertation (MArch (Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Architecture / unrestricted

The objective with this research project was to contribute to existing theory on product related consumer socialization, more specifically concerning young upcoming consumers in a third world country like the Republic of South Africa. Problems that are experienced by inexperienced consumers were discussed within the context of changing socio political conditions in recent years, which have resulted in the adoption of different lifestyles and spending patterns of previously disadvantaged consumers. During the past decade the living conditions of especially black consumers have improved considerably. Better jobs and higher incomes have resulted in access to home ownership and consequently also the acquisition of expensive, durable commodities such as household appliances to support and reflect their new lifestyles. Unfortunately limited product related exposure and experience might contribute to specific problems that need to be addressed by professionals in Consumer Science in order to contribute to informed, responsible buyer decisions in the market place. The intention was to suggest strategies through which inexperienced consumers could be assisted to cope in a very competitive and materialistic world. The research was positivistic in nature and was conducted within a quantitative paradigm although qualitative methods were included to verify the content and structure of the questionnaire. The geographic area in which the study was conducted, was conveniently located near the University of Pretoria. Unfortunately difficult access to potential participants because of security issues made it difficult to recruit participants. Most of the contacts were made during the evenings. Financial constraints were experienced: participants were unwilling to participate without an incentive and the researcher had to make provision for small gifts as a token of appreciation. Time was another limiting factor: data collection had to be done within a limited period because this study formed part of a larger research project that involved other students and different samples. Field workers were trained to assist with the data collection. The system’s theory was used to direct the content and discussions of the study: product related consumer socialization (i.e. appliance ownership and product experience) was thus considered as an input that affected consumers’ product knowledge and their consequent ability to transform product cues in terms of product decisions which would reflect informed, responsible buyer decisions, or the contrary (outcome). Findings confirmed participants’ limited product related consumer socialization. Limited experience with appliances was evident from limited ownership of most of the appliances over time, except for refrigerators and stoves. Participants’ impression of the usefulness of appliances in households was confirmed by their apparent enthusiasm to acquire almost all of the major appliances that were listed in the future. The product knowledge test confirmed participants’ limited ability to conclude informed buyer decisions and explicated their unrealistic expectations of the service life of appliances as well as their apparent reliance on surrogate indicators to judge the quality of appliances. When participants were confronted with a product complaint scenario, most of the complaints could be ascribed to incorrect use of appliances and/or ignorance, which supported the notion that these consumers would not be able to conclude responsible buyer decisions. A concerted effort by retail to provide augmented customer service in the retail environment so that consumers could be facilitated at point of purchase is recommended. It is also proposed that consumers’ limited product knowledge and the problems that they have indicated concerning the use of appliances should be addressed to enhance informed and responsible buyer and user behaviour. / Dissertation (M (Consumer Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Consumer Science / unrestricted

Church music is in a crisis! The current debate in the Dutch Reformed Church concerning Church Music is not a case of reformed against charismatic. The different kinds of church music as well as the different approaches to church music, is part of the essence and history of the church and church music. Throughout history there has always been a need for a more free and often lighter kind of music (hymn) complimentary to formal church music. This need has often lead to conflict in the church. Often the conflict was caused by the power of the association of a certain kind of music, rather than the music itself. On the positive side, it has not only lead to conflict, but it has also lead to the creation of some of the most beautiful songs of praise and worship throughout history. This need for other and new kinds of music is emphasized by the differences in culture between various churches and congregations. Because of the close relation between music and culture, different cultures and meta-cultures often lead to different kinds of music in the church. Culture, and especially post modern culture, stresses the need for the congregation’s owns song and music alongside the song and music of the broader church. The influence of culture in church music can’t be denied. No music is per se reformed. Reformed spirituality, as an umbrella term, makes provision for differentiation in church music due to the fact that the faces of reformed spirituality differ from place to place and time to time. Because of the latter, reformed spirituality finds expression in different kinds of music. In the light of the above mentioned, the free song could be of great value alongside the formal church music in the reformed churches, especially the Dutch Reformed Church. The hypothesis of this study is not only that there is room for the free song alongside the formal church song, but that it is essentially part of Church song and music. A new approach, based on objective study, and stripped of subjectivism, is needed in this regard. Only the can the conversation of the ages really make benefit the church as a whole. / Dissertation (MA (Practical Theology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Today’s consumers demand much more than quality products – they also value the service that is provided in the retail environment highly (Arnold, 2003:78; Samson&Little, 1993:390) From retailers’ perspective, customer service may have become the only way to differentiate them from competitors because the products that they offer often differ insignificantly from one store to another. Excellent customer service therefore may be the only opportunity to attract and to attain customers to the extent that it results in store loyalty. Unfortunately limited research could be found on customer service that would conquer the hearts and wallets of consumers in specific retail settings for the sake of store loyalty. Extant research mostly address single, very specific elements of customer service or customer service in general in terms of its effect on buyer behavior or store patronage in general. It was proposed that retailers could enhance customers’ repeat purchase behaviour if they could successfully increase customer satisfaction through improved service quality. In order to identify the elements of customer service that are considered crucial in terms of excellent customer service and repeat purchase behaviour, an attempt was made to determine why consumers often divide their purchases across different supermarkets that apparently stock the same goods. The research thus required the identification of the elements of customer service that individually and/or collectively affect consumers’ preference for specific supermarket/s and their probable repeat purchase behaviour. This study also explored how consumers rate the service of supermarkets and attempted to make suggestions in terms of how retailers could improve customer service to ensure consumer loyalty. The systems theory approach was used to guide discussions, as it enabled a study and understanding of the sequence, relationship and interdependency of fundamental elements of customer service (as subsystems ) within a larger complex system (retail environment). The cognitive perspective was incorporated in the discussion of the elements of customer service as it enabled the understanding of customers’ interpretation of customer service. Participants were recruited by means of snowball sampling within the area of Pretoria East in the geographical area of Tshwane. In this area, major supermarkets are located within close proximity, which is conducive for shop hopping. It was required that participants either resided and/or shopped in the specific area; they were from LSM groups 5 and higher; older than 25 years, but no requirements were set in terms of race or gender. A quantitative data collection method was used (a survey: questionnaire). A qualitative data collection technique (focus group discussions) was however implemented beforehand to include every day constructs and to include additional constructs that might have been overseen. It became evident that consumers apparently patronage different supermarkets on a regular basis and that the customer service of some of the supermarkets are viewed significantly better than others. The elements of customer service that are more severely criticized seem to be mostly PROCESS and PERSONNEL related. Through factor analysis and linear regression, three elements of customer service were identified as those that are apparently regarded crucial in terms of excellent customer service. Two familiar elements, namely PROCESSES and PERSONNEL as well as a newly structured element, namely VALUE FOR MONEY was identified to design a model that depicts the elements of customer service that were identified to be crucial in terms of excellent customer service. / Dissertation (M (Consumer Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Consumer Science / unrestricted