This study centred on factors contributing to the perceived organizational effectiveness within an educational service provider. The guiding assumption of this research was that the general public supports effective organizations because they are perceived as rendering an effective and efficient service. This results in a reciprocal relationship between the organization and its clients. The Kip McGrath Education Centres was studied since it is an organization that has been rendering educational service in South Africa since 1996. There are to date thirty-five centres operating in the country. However, while there has been phenomenal growth in terms of geographical expansion, no studies have been done to establish what has contributed towards this organization's perceived effectiveness. Literature sources informed this study of the indicators that characterize effective organizations. Some of these indicators of effectiveness were used in this research to determine whether the organization under study can be viewed as one such effective organization. The theoretical underpinning of this study is that there are inherent contradictions within models of effective organizations. As such, effectiveness should be determined according to a given model and relevant indicators. This study surveyed perceptions of the major stakeholders on matters pertaining to the organizational effectiveness of the Kip McGrath Education Centres at Newholmes. Both the qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used. That is, questionnaires were used to obtain information from large samples of educational stakeholders and interviews schedules and check-lists were used to collect qualitative data from small samples and observations of facilities and activities at the centre. The findings revealed that the organization under study was rendering an effective service that clients seem to have valued. This consequently led to their support of the organization which led to its growth in size, judged by student numbers. The conclusions derived from these findings were that an effective organization is one that is able to develop because it possesses salient features necessary for delivering an effective and efficient service to its clients, thus ensuring their continued support. A major finding was that parents were willing to pay for the services offered by the Newholmes KMEC because they felt they got their money's worth. This leads to the conclusion that when the public has confidence in an education provider, the public is willing and able to pay for the services. A recommendation arising out of this would be to determine the extent to which perceived effectiveness translates into genuine effectiveness judged by the quality of programmes offered by a number of private education providers. This would offer evidence and support for the role of the private sector in educational provision which can guide government policy and practice. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Parts of it have been referred to as the “Imperial Ghetto” (Badsha: 2001) or the “Duchene” and “Casbah” (Hassim: 2009) or simply “town” by the many who have frequented its markets, mosques, bus ranks, cinemas, schools, shops, cathedral and temples. The area is known for its “bunny-chows”, tearooms, saris, American Clothing stores, spices, jewellers, tailors, fah-fee and the feared Duchene gang. Central to the life of this “town” was Currie’s Fountain sports ground, popularly known as “Currie’s”, which served as a sports, cultural and political protest venue for seven decades. This urban experience of blacks, who were referred to as “non-Europeans”, during the apartheid era, and the institutions and places that are of cultural, educational, religious, sports and political importance, and thus part of the city’s heritage, is largely absent in publications on Durban’s history. This dissertation addresses this issue and focuses on an old part of Durban, referred to as the Warwick Junction Precinct (WJP), that was shaped by colonial and apartheid policies and planning, from the 1870s to the 1980s, identifying the “non-European” presence and what the nature of this presence was. It focuses on the micro level of the spatial development of a precinct, spawned in the aftermath of indenture and identifies the tapestry of facilities, institutions, places and spaces that collectively comprise and symbolise “non-European” Durban. It traces the establishment and growth of this other “invisible” precinct, since the settlement of Indians in Durban in the 1870s and the urbanization of Africans, until the 1980s when the apartheid ideology and its structures started to implode. Spatial information in the form of maps, diagrams and photographs, combined with the social history, laws and planning responses over a hundred and ten year period, identifies and maps out a substantial area that traces residential, religious, educational, commercial, sports and struggle sites that are of historical significance and thus part of the heritage of a multi-cultural city. Although restricted to a fairly small area, it has all the elements that comprise a city, such as commercial and residential areas, worship sites, a burial site, educational institutions and libraries, numerous markets, bus, train and taxi transport nodes, recreational and struggle sites that are of cultural and socio-political significance to Blacks in the city of Durban, for more than a century. This study documents the evolution of the Warwick Junction Precinct which has become a city in its own right with a rich heritage spanning both the colonial and apartheid eras. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012

This study looks at what Sasol must do to retain senior black managers. The findings of this study are based on the perspectives of a group of black professionals who went through a two year program referred to as Sasol's Accelerated Leadership Development Program (ALDP). Given the fact that the company has acknowledged the problem of having senior black managers in its ranks, the objective is to use their own perspectives on what Sasol must do to retain them. The question of retaining employees is critical given the stiff competition that Sasol operate in and also taking into account the fact that Sasol is expanding outside the borders of South Africa. The respondents pointed out that there are a number of issues which Sasol's management must look at in order for them to stay in the company. The issues raised relate to Sasol's corporate culture which is perceived not to be accommodative of a diverse work force, the management style which is seen as conservative and bureaucratic. Over and above that, the predominant use of Afrikaans, whilst English is the official business language is seen as an obstacle for non-Afrikaans employees to stay in the company. Other issues raised are the Senior Mannekrag Beplanning Kamer (SMBK), a process used for the promotion of senior managers which is seen as not representative. The respondents felt that they need to be given challenging work assignments and be given opportunities for career growth and development. Equally important is the question of the work environment in general which is not seen as embracing diversity and remuneration and benefits which are seen to be fair and competitive. The findings are indicative of the importance of informing retention strategies with the views of the very employees that must be retained. These results further suggest that a planned approach which is inclusive of stakeholders is appropriate rather than an imposed plan. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Introduction: the number of orphans world wide including Malawi, has increased greatly due to the Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The increased number of orphans has led to the development of community based strategies for continuity of care to orphans. People in various communities offer themselves as volunteers to care for the orphans with an aim to providing the best care possible. Due to the increased number of orphans, the caretakers are challenged in the provision of care, to promote the health status of the children. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the knowledge and health information needs of caretakers in orphan care at the Mphatso day care centre in Lilongwe, Malawi. Methodology: A descriptive qualitative approach was used to determine the knowledge and health information needs of caretakers of orphans. Using a descriptive qualitative research method, the researcher interviewed eight participants working as volunteers at Mphatso Orphan Day Care Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi. Data analysis: In the study, a general content analysis approach was used. In this approach, the audio taped data were transcribed verbatim and translated from Chichewa to English soon after data collection prior to the next day of interview. Transcribing verbatim was done by listening to the tape recorded interviews several times until all the data were captured. Data were thereafter, displayed, reduced and organized into categories and sub categories. Results: Results generated from the study revealed that the caretakers benefit from training prior to the adoption of the caring role. The caretakers were also knowledgeable about the health challenges of the orphans, the concept of caring and health information needs that can help them provide the best care possible to the orphans. Conclusion: Children are facing the tragedy oflosing one or both parents to AIDS. Ifone parent is infected with HIV, there is a high probability that the other parent is also infected and so the entire family faces the threat of illness and later on death. Despite the death of these parents, the children left behind require the continuity of care. Volunteers shoulder the responsibility of caring for the children left by the deceased families. As such, there is need to support those who have dedicated their time to the orphans. Apart from material and financial resources, there is need to support the caretakers of orphans in institutions of care with health information relevant to orphan care. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

Neabejotina, jog paslaugų kokybė – pagrindinis aspektas, nulemiantis sveikatingumo centrų išlikimą konkurencingoje aplinkoje. Atsižvelgiant į sveikatingumo centrų paslaugų kokybės kintamumą, vertėtų nuolat ją analizuoti bei įvertinti. Tačiau kalbant apie sveikatingumo centrų kokybę negalima nepaminėti žmogiškųjų išteklių indėlio. Baigiamajame darbe analizuojama sveikatingumo centrų darbuotojų situacija bei vartotojų suvokiama teikiamų paslaugų kokybė. Tyrimo tikslas yra išsiaiškinti Lietuvos sveikatingumo centrų darbuotojų situaciją bei jos įtaką vartotojų suvokiamai teikiamų paslaugų kokybei. Tyrimo uždaviniai: išanalizuoti paslaugų kokybės valdymą bei darbuotojų valdymo svarbą organizacijoje; išnagrinėti bei palyginti Lietuvos sveikatingumo centrų darbuotojų situaciją su ES šalių situacija; atskleisti ryšį tarp Lietuvos sveikatingumo sektoriaus darbuotojų ir sveikatingumo centrų kokybės vartotojų požiūriu. Metodai: mokslinės literatūros analizė; anketinė apklausa; aprašomoji statistika, palyginamoji analizė. Tyrimas atliktas: 2011 metų kovo - gegužės mėn. Tyrimui pasirinktas apklausos metodas, pasirinktos anketos. Tyrimo generalinė visuma -sveikatingumo centrų darbdaviai bei vartotojai. Imties dydis – I-ojo tyrimo – 12 respondentų, II-ojo – 40 respondentų. Pagrindinės darbo išvados: Nėra konkretaus vieningo paslaugos apibrėžimo, todėl apibendrinant galima teigti, kad paslauga visų pirma yra procesas, kai vyksta vartotojo ir personalo sąveika ir to proceso tikslas yra... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / -.

In 2014, the Swedish leisure-time centres after school became widely criticized on several occasions by school authorities. The cause for its criticism was a reflection of leisure time-centres with lots of untrained staff and a lack of pedagogical aspirations. The conclusion of the criticism was that these leisure-time centres do not fulfil their potential. However, these assessments has only to a limited extent become a part of the public educational discourse in Sweden. This discourse has mainly focused on the decreasing results in the Swedish school, which has caught the attention in the media and ended up on the political agenda. The flaws in the leisure-time centres have been far more overlooked and its function has been unclear. This study explores representations of the leisure-time centres and its missions and aims. It also examines how after-school teachers and their skills, duties and attributes are represented. This has been done by studying descriptions of the leisure-time centres in three different municipalities and 154 recruitment ads for after-school teachers. The results of these data collections shows a dominant cooperative discourse, where many of the leisure-time centres and the after-school teachers most important tasks and assignments is more to be found in school activities rather than at the leisure-time centres. The conclusion of the study is that the leisure-time centres have lost its value-based core and instead its function has been integrated as a resource center in school to make sure that the aims for school is to be achieved. That has transformed the after-school teacher into a flexible employee, which constantly has to be prepared for and have a positive approach to new circumstances.

The shopping centre phenomenon in South Africa received more attention as the number of shopping malls increased significantly in the townships in the mid-1990s. The increase in shopping centres led to a change in consumer behaviour. It became important for retailers and developers to understand the effects of consumer behaviour when structuring the retail system. As such this study explores the changes in consumer behaviour in South African townships in relation to the emergence of Mega City shopping centre in Umlazi Township in the city of Durban. The study is based on in-depth interviews with randomly selected customers at Mega City shopping centre and also household surveys conducted in the Umlazi V section to determine the change in consumer behaviour induced by the introduction of shopping centres. These interviews were also conducted with shopkeepers from various service shops within shopping centre and other key informants from Umlazi V section. The study reveals that shopping experiences in South African townships have drastically changed due to the introduction of shopping malls as the consumers can now access a variety of services within their communities. This is due to the possibility of shopping within a short distance as it reduces costs both in time and money. The study highlights that the development of shopping centres in South African townships in the mid-90s changed consumer behaviour both quantitatively and qualitatively. The key factors that were identified by the study as playing a big role in influencing consumer choices and experiences due to the development of shopping centres include location, accessibility, services offered, competition and affordability of products and services.

Youth are a reflection of our future and the methods we use to educate, nurture and guide them, assist in determining the type of adults they grow to be. This dissertation analyses how the built environment can serve as a platform to help youth grow into responsible and well-balanced adults. A theoretical framework is set out to explore the requirements involved in understanding physical, mental and emotional changes a youth is faced with at this stage in their life by providing them with environments to assist them in discovering their means of existence, their role in society and vital skills to enter upon adulthood. A set of case studies and precedent studies aided the research and determined the vital impact a Youth Development Centre may have in evolving and socially uplifting youth and their community. The findings demonstrated that a greater awareness and education is needed in understanding the behavior of the youth to establish a society that is tolerant, respectful and healthy. Limited and restrictive means to how youth expressive themselves, learn and develop leads to a youth population that is confused, conflicted and unable to take on the challenges of adulthood. Thus, highlighting the need for the built environment to serve as a platform where healthy self-expression and learning opportunities, which stimulate the minds and bodies of youth, are encouraged. Such places were shown to inspire youth and their community to do better and be better. Youth are the future leaders of a country and their well-being and healthy development is of utmost important to us all. / Theses (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2014.

This research study is based on the cluster system model for effective management of schools in Namibia. with special reference to Erongo Education Region. The cluster system introduces a new perspective on the way the schools arc managed. It radically differs from the historically isolated school, employing individualistic approaches and management practices characterised by strong hierarchical structures and top down decision-making. The cluster system advocates shared decision-making, teamwork, collaboration. integration and networking. In other words clustering provides a superb climate for teachers, principals, parents and learners to interface with one another within a legitimate framework. Clustering is an effective management model that has also been implemented in developed countries such as England, the Netherlands and the United States of America. The research study involved 60 principals as respondents to a questionnaire on the cluster system, its problems and prospects. The major findings indicate that clustering enhances the quality of education through sharing of resources, exchange of ideas among teachers, and closer cooperation between schools. The study identifies numerous challenges in the implementation of the cluster system. These challenges include disparity between schools in the rural and urban areas, lack of reliable transport, lack of facilities and teaching materials in most schools, large distances between schools, teacher isolation and increased workload among personnel. However, if the challenges and prospects of clustering are put on a simple scale, the latter would probably outweigh the former completely. This means that clustering holds encouraging prospects for the education system in Namibia in general and Erongo Education Region in particular. An important finding in this regard is that the majority of the principals in the Erongo Education Region agree that the cluster system has the potential to champion and transcend in effective management of all schools within cluster centres. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The technological era in which modern day organisations function, attempting to make every aspect of service more efficient and customer friendly, has cultivated a need within organisations to invent new ways of service. Call centres are one way in which organisations are trying to improve their customer service. For this reason, telephone call centres are one of the fastest growing segments of the service sector. The growth in call centres is attributable to the benefits that they offer organisations. Call centres can improve service and retain customers, increase sales and/or revenue and reduce costs and/or improve efficiency. For this reason, organisations are placing an increasing emphasis on the role of call centres regarding the competitiveness of the company and increased pressure on call centre agents. Research indicated that there are certain stressors in the call centre industry. This is emphasised by the high turnover rate and by high absenteeism levels in call centres. Although some studies seem to suggest that working in call centres can be interesting, overall it seems that working in call centres is a stressful experience. The objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between job characteristics, work wellness and work-related flow of call centre agents in an insurance company. A cross-sectional design was used with an availability sample (N = 176). A self-constructed instrument (JDRS) was used to measure the unique job demands and job resources in the insurance industry. Along with the JDRS, the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and the Work-Related Flow Scale were used as measuring instruments. Results showed that the unique job demands in a call centre are pressure, working conditions, workload, and job security. The unique job resources are supervision, resources availability, task freedom, pay and benefits, opportunity for growth, and support. Work wellness was found to comprise burnout, work engagement and work-related flow. Multiple regression analysis showed that 6% of the variance in Mental Distance was predicted by Job Demands, with Working Conditions being the only significant predictor. Within Exhaustion, 11% of the variance explained was predicted by Job Demands, with Job Security and Working Conditions being the only significant predictors. No statistically significant predictions were obtained for Work Engagement and Work-Related Flow (i.e. Absorption and Flow). Recommendations were made for future research. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007