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Enhancing the competitive advantage of the South African cultivated abalone industryGerber, Werner Hugo 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MSc(Agric))--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The pnmary alm of this study was to investigate the national competitive
advantage of the South African abalone industry. A further aim was therefore to
investigate the environment, in which the South-African abalone industry
operates. Secondary aims included presenting a detailed description of the roleplayers
in the South African abalone industry, and considering whether the
South African abalone industry can be made more competitive and, if so, how
this can be achieved. The achievement of these aims required a framework to
establish which data is necessary for the task. The framework selected involved
a combination of Porter's Five Forces analysis and Diamond Model.
The study suggests that South African abalone firms should promote South
African abalone more actively, invest more funds in human resources, and that
the industry's faith in government needs to be restored, which can be achieved
by improving the services offered by public institutions like the South African
Bureau of Standards (SABS), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and
Marine and Coastal Management (M&CM). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel met die studie was om die nasionale kompeterende voordeel van die
Suid Afrikaanse perlemoen industrie te ondersoek. Om dit te bereik, moes die
omgewing waarin die industrie fuksioneer ontleed en die rolspelers in die
industrie deeglik beskryf word. 'n Verdere doel was om te bepaal of dit
moontlik is om die kompeterendheid van die industrie te verhoog, en indien wel,
hoe dit bereik kan word. Die raamwerk wat gekies is om die doelstellings te
bereik bestaan uit 'n kombinasie van Porter se "Five Farces" analise en
"Diamond Model".
Die resultate dui aan dat die industrie Suid-Afrikaanse perlemoen meer aktief
moet bekendstel, individuele ondernemings meer in hul menslike hulpbronne
moet investeer, en dat die industrie se vertroue in die nasionale regering herstel
moet word, deur die dienste te verbeter wat deur publieke instellings soos die
Suid-Afrikaanse Buro van Stanaarde (SABS), Departement Handel en
Nywerheid en Mariene- en Kusbestuur verskaf word.
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Agricultural extension programmes : problem conceptualisation and guideliness for the SA pome fruit industryKruger, Albertus Lambertus 03 1900 (has links)
Study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: No effective programmed extension exists in the South African pome fruit industry.
There is a lack of farmer response and involvement, a lack of coordinated
dissemination of information and no systematic and scientific approach in the
development of extension programmes for the industry. Particularly important is the
lack of a systematic conceptualisation of problems and specifically the lack of
identification of the most direct determinants of behaviour (the psychological field
forces) and a lack of the systematic addressing of these human constraints. DOvel's
revised extension programme model was used as basis for this study. It included the
identification, prioritisation, conceptualisation and determination of perceived
problems that need to be addressed in the extension programmes. The most
important identified problems that needs attention in an extension programme are
producers' knowledge relating to all aspects of strategic planning (ie knowledge of
basic principles, what is attainable, the advantages and disadvantages and the
practical implementation), knowledge relating to the practical implementation of
irrigation, bitter pit control and practices to increase fruit size, and knowledge that
relates to basic principles of marketing. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen doelgerigte geprogrammeerde voorligting bestaan vir die Suid-Afrikaanse
kernvrugindustrie nie. Daar is 'n tekort aan produsentebetrokkenheid, 'n tekort aan
gekoordineerde verspreiding van inligting en daar is geen sistematiese en
wetenskaplike benadering in die ontwikkeling van voorligtingsprogramme vir die
industrie nie. Besonder belangrik is die afwesigheid van 'n sistematiese
konseptualisering van probleme en meer spesifiek die tekort aan die identifisering
van die meer direkte determinante van gedrag (die psigiese veldkragte) en die
aanspreek van hierdie menslike beperkings. DOvel se hersiene model vir
geprogrameerede voorligting het as basis gedien vir die studie. Die studie het
ingesluit die identifisering, prioritisering, konseptualisering en bepaling van
produsente se persepsie van
aangespreek behoort te word.
probleme wat binne voorligtingsprogramme
Die belangrikste probleme wat in die studie
geïdentifiseer is wat aandag moet geniet in voorligtingsprogramme is die produsente
se kennis van alle aspekte van strategiese beplanning (kennis van basiese
beginsels, kennis wat betrekking het op wat bereikbaar is met strategiese
beplanning, die voor- en nadele daarvan asook die praktiese implementering van
strategiese beplanning), kennis wat betrekking het op die praktiese implementering
van besproeiing, bitterpit beheer en die verbetering van vruggroote asook die kennis
wat betrekking het op die basiese beginsels van bemarking.
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The transformation of the South African gold-mining corporate cultureWessels, Deon 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Corporate cu~ure is the foundation of businesses today and in every way underties the way
business is done. The discovery and subsequent mining of gold during the last century
have shaped the gold-mining corporate cu~re; it gave birth to racial segregation and laid
the foundation of the system in which the industry finds itse~ today. The purpose of this
study is to uncover the deeper patterns of corporate cu~ure that drive visible behaviour and
attitudes. Once the root metaphor or main undertying assumptions of the gold-mining
corporate cutture have been determined, a process of multilevel, frame-breaking, radical
transformation can be initiated.
A 'paradigm interplay' approach, which describes cu~re as an explicit variable and an
implicit root metaphor, was adopted. Within this frameworK the study aims to explore
concepts and meanings of corporate cu~re in a hermeneutic fashion by uncovering the
human, expressive, symbolic texture of life in a gold mine. The frameworK provided a way
of thinking about organisations, not to present 1001s' or 'methods' for managing or
transforming culture, but to think culturally and holistically about the process of
transformation. An in-depth investigation into Schein's 'three levels of cu~re' model was
necessary in order to derive at the core transformational aspect of the gold-mining
corporate culture. An analysis of Schein's model indicated that behavioural characteristics
are shaped and determined by undertying values, beliefs and attitudes, which are shared
among members of the organisation. If not espoused, these in turn rest upon sets of
undertying assumptions that are the innermost core of corporate cu~re. One such a se~
the nature of human relationships, had been identified as the main undertying theme
behind the vested interests as well as ingrained paradigms that exist on both sides of a
racially divided workforce. The historical background of the industry and cultural
perceptions created a shared assumption set that shaped these deep-rooted, embedded
mindsets, affecting human relationships significantly. The study made it clear that any
transformation attempt could be possible only when one goes deeper than the stated
values and norms to understand the undertying assumptions and the true nature of human
relationships that drive the visible behaviour and attttudes. The central dimension of this
study, the nature of human relationships, referred to the opposing concepts of individualism versus communalism. These opposing paradigms are manifested in the two
main management approaches or corporate cultures that exist in South Africa. Many
suggested that the acknowledgement and utilisation of the Afrocentric value system,
Ubuntu, alongside a Westem individualistic corporate culture are imperative to improve
relationships in general and promote humanism. This study proposed that the humane
spirit of Ubuntu, a spirit of trus~ caring and respect for human dignity, should be 'married'
with the Westem approach to management instead of Ubuntu being adopted as a single
framework that may be perceived negatively by the current business community. Thinking
culturally', the purpose phrase of this study, succeeded therefore in abandoning the eitheror
kind of thinking in favour of a more holistic 'both-and' way of doing. A desired culture of
trust, honesty, openness, integrity and non-<liscrimination are sought after - a morally and
ethically acceptable corporate culture where empowered employees are inspired rather
than driven.
Transformation is about the intellectual, social, spiritual and, most important, the
emotional resources of the organisation. The 'senses of awareness' that are
fundamental to the spirit of Ubuntu, originate from an understanding of our own
emotions and secondly the emotions of others. Emotional intelligence is emerging as a
major contributor to self-regu lation and is a crucial ingredient of the transformation
process of the gold-mining corporate cu~ure .
The study recommends the process of transformation can be initiated by creating a focal
even~ a moment of concem about the current predicament in which the organisation or,
more importa~ the individual finds itse~lhimse~. An act of confrontation may provide a
moment of insight that will lead to a reinterpretation of historical and current events. In the
process of insight or reflection an increase in seW-knowledge is gained that leads to a new
beginning. This study calls for a willingness to change, a motivation to "switch cognitive
gears' from an automatic haM of mind to active, conscious reflection of what is right and
what is wrong. ~ also calls upon the individual to make the gold mines and South Africa a
better place in which to work and live. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die organisasiekultuur van 'n maatskappy is nie alleen die "gom" wat die
besigheidsinstelling en sy onderafdelings bind nie, maar in 'n hoe mate ook die
onderliggende rede waarom die besigheidsinstelling bestaan. Die punt sal aan die hand
van die goudmynbedryf geillustreer word. Die ontdekking en gepaardgaande ekstraksie
van goud gedurende die laaste eeu het die organisasiekultuur van die mynwese
gevorm. Dit het help beslag gee aan rasse segregasie en het die grondslag gelê vir die
sisteem waarin die industrie homself bevind. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die dieper
aspekte van organisasiekultuur bloot te Iê - aspekte wat optrede en die sigbare
gesindheid aandryf. Die grondliggende paradigma, kern metafore en aannames van die
goudmyn industrie sal daarom eers bepaal moet word voordat 'n radikale
transformasieproses geinisieer kan word. 'n Benadering van "paradigma wisselwerking"
("tussenspel") is gevolg waarvolgens kultuur beskryf word as 'n eksplisiete verandelike
en 'n implisiete kern metafoor. Binne hierdie raamwerk word konsepte en betekenisse
van organisasiekultuur binne 'n hermeneutiese metodiek ondersoek. Die doel daarvan is
om die menslike, ekspressiewe en simboliese tekstuur van lewenswyse binne die
goudmynbedryf te interpreteer. Die raamwerk verskaf 'n denkwyse oor organisasies wat
nie daarop gerig is om spesifieke metodes of stappe daar te stel vir die bestuur of
transformasie van organisasiekultuur nie. Die doelwit is om kultureel en holisties te dink
oor die proses van transformasie.
'n Indiepte ondersoek van Schein se 'drie vlakke' van kultuur was noodsaaklik om die
kern transformasie aspek van die Suid Afrikaanse goudmyn kultuur te ontrafel. Daar is
bevind dat gedragseienskappe gevorm en bepaal word deur die gesamentlike
onderliggende waardes, oortuigings en gesindhede van lede van 'n organisasie. Hierdie
eienskappe skakel in by 'n reeks onderliggende aannames wat die binneste kern van
organisasiekultuur uitmaak. Die aard van menslike verhoudings, 'n onderliggende
aanname, is ge"identifiseer as die hoofonderliggende tema agter die bestaande belange
sowel as die ingewortelde paradigmas wat bestaan aan beide kante van die rasverdeelde
werksmag. Die historiese agtergrond van die industrie en die kulturele
persepsies het 'n gedeelde reeks aannames daargestel wat diep-gewortelde denkpatrone en denkgietsels gevorm het en wat menslike verhoudings aansienlik
beinvloed. Die studie maak duidelik dat enige transformasiepoging alleenlik moontliik is
indien daar dieper as die bepaalde waardes en norme gedelf word om die
onderliggende aannames en denkwyses asook die aard van menslike verhoudings te
bepaal wat die sigbare optrede en gesindheid van mense dryf.
Die sentraie dimensie van die studie, naamlik die aard van menslike verhoudings, berus
op die opponerende konsepte van individualisme en kommunalisme. Hierdie twee
konsepte, en die paradigmas wat hulle aandui, word gemanifesteer in die twee hoof
bestuursraamwerke van organisasiekultuur wat in Suid Afrika bestaan. Baie navorsers
suggereer dat die erkenning en gebruikmaking van die Afrosentriese waardesisteem,
Ubuntu, naas 'n westerse individualistiese organisasiekultuur, noodsaaklik is om 'n
outentieke humanisme, en verhoudinge in die algemeen te bevorder. Die studie stel
voor dat die humane (mens-georianteerde) gees van Ubuntu, 'n gees van vertroue,
omgee en respek vir menswaardigheid, saamgesnoer word met die westerse
benadering tot bestuur, in plaas daarvan om Ubuntu as 'n enkele raamwerk aan te neern
wat dalk negatief waargeneem kan word deur die moderne sakesektor. Die kulturele
denkwyse wat gegenereer is in hierdie studie het dus geslaag daarin om die 'of-die-eenof-
die-ander' denkwyse te vervang met 'n meer holistiese 'en-en' manier van dink en
doen. 'n Kultuur van vertroue, opregtheid, integriteit en geen diskriminasie is
noodsaaklik, ofte wel 'n morele en eties aanvaarbare organisasiekultuur waar
bemagtigde werkers geinspireer word eerder as gedryf word. Transformasie is gemoeid
met die intellektuele, sosiale, spirituele en van groot belang, die emosionele hulpbronne
van 'n organisasie. Die aksent op selfbewussyn, wat fundamenteel is vir die gees van
Ubuntu, word gegenereer deur 'n verstaan van ons eie emosies, en tweedens die
verstaan van die emosies van ander. Emosionele intelligensie het onlangs te voerskyn
gekom as 'n belangrike bydraer tot self-regulasie. Dit is 'n beslissende bestanddeel in
die transformasieproses van die organisasiekultuur van die goudmynbedryf. Die studie
stel voor dat die transformasieproses geinisieer kan word deur 'n spesifieke gebeurtenis
wat die fokus word, 'n oomblik van besorgdheid rakende die huidige predikament waarin
die industrie of meer belangrik, die individu homself/haarself bevind. Konfrontasie is selfs nodig vir 'n ontwikkeling van 'n oomblik van insig wat aanleiding kan gee tot 'n reinterpretasie
van historiese en huidige gebeure. Tydens die proses van insig of
nabetragting word 'n toename in selfkennis opgedoen wat lei tot 'n nuwe begin.
Die studie vestig die aandag op 'n noodsaaklikheid van 'n verandering van gesindheid
en aanvaarding van die eis tot verandering. Dit sluit in 'n verbintenis om kognitiewe
'ratte' te verander vanaf 'n outomatiese sienswyse na 'n aktiewe, bewuste refleksie van
wat is reg en wat is verkeerd. Dan kan die goudmyne en Suid Afrika in geheel 'n beter
plek gemaak word om in te leef en te werk.
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n Voorligtingkundige studie van wingerd- en perskeverbouing in die Robertson-distrikVenter, Pierre 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 1980. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: No abstract available / AFRIKAANSE OSPOMMNING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
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Van vas tot fees : 'n ritueel-liturgiese ondersoek na versoening binne Suid-Afrikaanse kultuurkonteksteWepener, C. J. 04 1900 (has links)
Thesis (D. Th.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The need of reconciliation in South Africa is still voiced by many. Along with this need,
the absence of church unity between the DRChurch and URChurch, churches which are
still divided along racial lines, remains a sad reality. A division which has its origin
partially in a reconciliation-ritual of commensality which was inculturated in Africa on
wrong unscriptural grounds. Within this South African and Reformed reality the question
of this research was born, namely: “Which rituals can be inculturated in South Africa in
general, and in the liturgy of the DRC and URC in particular, to assist with the processes
of reconciliation and church unity?”.
This question is subsequently approached in a multi-disciplinary fashion with a ritualliturgical
exploration. The methodological starting points in the research process entail
firstly that Post’s liturgical-scientific research methodology of intereference and intuition
is used as an overarching approach, and secondly along with this in the initial phase of
the research the method of ethnography or participatory observation for the collection of
the ritual data. Within this methodology the theoretical starting points centre around the
concepts of ritual, reconciliation and liturgical inculturation. And within the field of
Practical Theology this research process moves with a spiral movement between practice
and theory. The basic theoretical starting point is that within the field of Liturgy a ritual
approach is used, and for this reason partners were found within the domain of Ritual
Studies to examine the phenomenon of reconciliation-rituals. The ritual theory of some
experts on the topic is presented with which the collected data was later evaluated. Along
with this ritual theory, liturgical inculturation is used as a critical reciprocal steering
concept which also involves both the tradition and theology in a criterium for the
evaluation and formation of rituals.
With this methodological and theoretical basis five ritual probes were conducted with
regards to reconciliation, namely a cultural anthropological, a Biblical, a liturgicalhistorical,
an actual descriptive and a South African ethnographic probe. These probes
brought several findings to the fore which can, within an African and Reformed context,be systematised within the context of the process from fast to feast as an overarching
metaphor. Drinking and eating together, or the absence thereof, coupled with
reconciliation, is present throughout all the probes like a leitmotiv and is also the central
finding of this research. More findings concerning reconciliation rituals however came to
the fore in each probe. These findings are summarised at the end of each probe and will
help to stimulate the ritual imagination concerning reconciliation. However, such
imagination must remain within a critical-normative Practical Theological liturgical
scientific framework.
The finding of this research basically attempts to show that a variety of rituals can be
inculturated within the processes of reconciliation and church unity in the DRC, URC and
South Africa. The process from fast to feast gives insight into the ‘what’, ‘when’ and
‘how’ concerning the inculturation of reconciliation rituals within an African and
Christian context. Fast and feast, which amongst other things also entails eating and
drinking together or the absence thereof, runs like a golden thread throughout all the
probes. Rituals showing these qualities of commensality are pre-eminently fit to serve as
reconciliation rituals, although they have sometimes in the past had the power to do
exactly the opposite. Therefor the finding of this research is that this feature of
commensality can be developed within South African and Reformed reconciliation
rituals, but in such a way that it serves reconciliation and church unity. And for this
purpose some ritual-liturgical guidelines are presented. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vanuit verskeie oorde word die noodsaak vir versoening in Suid-Afrika steeds bepleit.
Saam hiermee is die uitbly van kerkeenheid tussen die NGKerk en VGKerk, kerke wat
steeds op grond van ras verdeel is, ‘n betreurenswaardige realiteit. ‘n Verdeeldheid wat
deels sy oorsprong het in ‘n versoeningsritueel van saam eet en drink wat op ‘n verkeerde
onskriftuurlike wyse in Afrika geïnkultureer is. Vanuit hierdie Suid-Afrikaanse en
Gereformeerde situasie kom die vraag wat hierdie ondersoek aanspreek na vore, naamlik:
“Watter rituele kan in Suid-Afrika in die algemeen, en in die liturgie van die NGK en
VGK in die besonder, geïnkultureer word om te help in die prosesse van versoening en
kerkvereniging?”.
Hierdie vraagstelling word vervolgens op ‘n multi-dissiplinêre wyse met behulp van ‘n
ritueel-liturgiese ondersoek aangespreek. Die metodologiese uitgangspunte in hierdie
proses van ondersoek behels dat daar van Post se liturgiewetenskaplike ondersoekmetode
van interferensie en intuïsie as oorkoepelende benadering gebruik gemaak word, en saam
daarmee in die inisiële fase van data-kollektering die metode van etnografie of
deelnemende observasie. Binne hierdie metodologie sentreer die teoretiese vertrekpunt
rondom die begrippe ritueel, versoening en liturgiese inkulturasie. En binne die kader van
die Praktiese Teologie word daar met ‘n spiraalbeweging tussen teorie en praktyk
beweeg. Die basiese teoretiese uitgangspunte behels dat vanuit die Liturgiek met ‘n
rituele benadering gewerk is. Binne die veld van die sogenaamde Rituele Studies is
vennote gevind om die fenomeen van versoeningsrituele te bestudeer. Die rituele teorie
van enkele eksperte word gepresenteer waarmee die gekollekteerde data beoordeel is.
Saam met hierdie rituele teorie is die begrip liturgiese inkulturasie gebruik as ‘n krities
wederkerige studerende konsep wat ook die teologie en tradisie betrek in die kriterium vir
die beoordeling en ontwerp van rituele.
Met hierdie metodologiese en teoretiese basis is vyf rituele peilings ten opsigte van
versoening gedoen, te wete ‘n kultureel-antropologiese, ‘n Bybelse, ‘n liturgiehistoriese,
‘n aktueel beskrywende en ‘n Suid-Afrikaanse etnografiese peiling. Hierdie peilings hetverskeie bevindinge na vore gebring wat in ‘n Afrika-Gereformeerde konteks binne die
proses van vas tot fees as oorkoepelende metafoor gesistematiseer kan word. Saam eet en
drink, of die afwesigheid daarvan, gekoppel aan versoening loop as ‘n leitmotiv deur al
die peilings en is die sentrale bevinding van hierdie ondersoek. Daar het egter ook
meerdere bevindinge of roetemerkers ten opsigte van versoeningsrituele uit die peilings
na vore gekom. Hierdie bevindinge wat saamgevat word aan die einde van elke peiling,
help om die rituele verbeelding te stimuleer, maar dít juis binne ‘n krities-normatiewe
Prakties Teologiese liturgiewetenskaplike raamwerk.
Die bevinding van hierdie ondersoek behels basies dat ‘n verskeidenheid rituele in die
prosesse van versoening en kerkvereniging geïnkultureer kan word in die NGK, VGK en
Suid-Afrika, maar dat die proses van vas tot fees insig verleen in die ‘wat’, ‘wanneer’ en
‘hoe’, ten opsigte van die inkulturasie van versoeningsrituele binne ‘n Afrika- en
Christelike-konteks. Vas en fees, wat onder andere saam eet en drink of die afwesigheid
daarvan behels, loop soos ‘n goue draad reg deur al die peilings. Rituele wat hierdie
eienskappe van kommensaliteit vertoon, is by uitstek geskik om te dien as
versoeningsrituele, al het diesulke rituele ook soms in die geskiedenis juis die
teenoorgestelde vermag. Daarom word voorgestel dat hierdie eienskap van
kommensaliteit juis uitgebou word in Suid-Afrikaanse Gereformeerde versoeningsrituele,
maar op só ‘n wyse dat dit versoening en kerkeenheid dien. En hiervoor word enkele
ritueel-liturgiese riglyne aangereik.
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The role of Christ as a source of healing powers in the traditional healing practices among the Zulu Catholics in the Mariannhill diocese.Bele, Grace Clementine. January 2012 (has links)
No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.
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Die ontwikkeling van 'n kennisbestuurraamwerk vir 'n lewensversekeringsgroep in Suid-Afrika07 October 2015 (has links)
M.A. ( Information studies) / Information and knowledge are the new wealth of our time. Knowledge is a resource that is valuable to an organisation's ability to innovate and compete. As every business has to operate in an increasingly competitive and dynamic environment, business managers should base all decisions on their competitive standing in the world economy and the competitiveness of their knowledge competencies. The ability of a company to mobilise and exploit its intangible and invisible assets has become far more important than investing and managing physical, tangible assets ...
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Die verwantskap tussen politiek en kuns in Suid-Afrika, 1960-1996.13 August 2012 (has links)
M.A. / The purpose of this study is to analyse the nature of the relationship between politics and art in South Africa during the period 1960 to 1996. The discussion is limited to the performing arts, which includes music, theatre, musicals and dance. The relationship between art and politics in South Africa manifested in two ways. Firstly, art was used to convey a specific political message and secondly, it served as an external political instrument with which the international community forced South Africa to put an end to apartheid. The latter was achieved by enforcing sanctions which included the cultural boycott. This study states clearly that art cannot be separated from society and constitutes that art is an important element sociologically speaking. It can thus be influenced by society and it can influence society in many ways. The artist, as a member of society, produce his/her art in accordance to his/her experience of a certain society. The artwork is therefore an "image" of society, because it reflects the artists' perspective of society. There is a relationship between art and politics in South Africa, because both the white and the black South Africans used art to create their own identity. Through art they could form a solidarity, and in the long run they could either sustain or gain political power. The whites wanted to sustain their power and therefore used the arts and art structures as a vehicle to maintain their Western(white) values. The blacks wanted to gain political power and, through the black consciousness movement and their anti-apartheid campaigns, they strove to gain political power. Art was therefore not only used by the blacks as a political weapon against the white apartheid regime, but also by the international community as a means to punish South Africa for the violation of human rights.
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Organisational culture, individual values and research productivity.Callaghan, Christian William 04 March 2014 (has links)
A South African university has obligations to societal stakeholders. One dimension of these obligations is research productivity. The extent to which these societal obligations can be met is a function of how innovative research outputs are, and of the extent to which constraints to research output, or productivity, are known, and can be managed. An extensive body of literature, including the Global Leadership and Organisational Behaviour Effectiveness (GLOBE) studies, have demonstrated the influence of organisational cultural values on organisational outcomes. Hofstede’s cultural values research studies have also demonstrated the influence of societal cultural values on societal outcomes. However, despite this body of literature, there is a lack of knowledge of the influence of organisational culture on the research productivity of academic fields. This research attempts to address this lack of knowledge through a qualitative and a quantitative study of the relationships between organisational culture and research productivity. This analysis is undertaken at the level of the academic field, which is proxied in this study as the level of the academic school. A corresponding analysis is also undertaken at the individual level. The relationship between individual values and research productivity is also investigated, to provide a holistic perspective of the relationships between both organisational cultural, as well as individual values, and research productivity, differentiated by level of analysis. On the basis of the qualitative analysis, a model of context-specific individual-level factors is also derived, which are predicted to influence research productivity. A qualitative study of research-productive academics from the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Cape Town, the University of Johannesburg, the University of South Africa and the University of KwaZulu-Natal was used to develop theory for testing quantitatively. The quantitative study, which sampled the University of the Witwatersrand, was used to test the theory and the propositions that were developed in the qualitative portion of the study. In the quantitative study, at the level of the academic school, relationships between organisational cultural values and research productivity predicted by GLOBE organisational cultural values theory were tested quantitatively. At the individual level, relationships between individual motivational values theory and research productivity that were predicted by Schwartz’s values theory were also tested quantitatively. The model of factors that were predicted by the qualitative analysis to contribute to research productivity was also tested quantitatively. The
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qualitative and quantitative results of the study are taken to support Kuhn’s argument; that academic research outputs are not necessarily innovative, and do not necessarily represent innovative knowledge creation in this context. Findings also indicate that particular values configurations may constrain research productivity. Specifically, configurations of values associated with lower levels of innovativeness might constrain specific non-peer reviewed forms of research productivity. The results reveal a context dominated by a conflict between two societal needs, one associated with increasing enrolments of students that are not necessarily matched by infrastructure increases, or a process of massification, and the other associated with the need for more research productivity. The conflict between these two needs was found to correspond with differences between individuals that relate to the extent to which they derive their primary job satisfaction from research versus teaching. Teacher-satisfied individuals were found to be signficantly less research productive. On the basis of the research findings, recommendations are made to improve research productivity in this context. On the basis of these and other findings discussed in the main text of the thesis, recommendations for practice and for futher research are made. It is concluded that specific value configurations appear to constrain research productivity in this context and that individuals and the academic institutions for which they work need to take the potential effect of such value configurations into account in their management of research productivity.
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A psychoanalytic exploration of African grandmothers' cultural knowledge on mothering and attachment.Blumberg, Sarah 24 February 2014 (has links)
African perspectives of mothering and attachment have only started being explored recently. Conversely there has been extensive research on Western understandings of attachment and mothering from a psychoanalytic perspective. Due to the limited literature, little is known whether psychoanalytic theories can be related to African cultural perspectives of mothering and attachment. This study aimed to understand African grandmothers’ cultural knowledge of mothering and attachment through a psychoanalytic attachment theory perspective. Secondly the study intended to describe the points of convergence and divergence between psychoanalytic concepts of attachment and African grandmothers’ cultural knowledge on mothering. Using a qualitative research design, nine African grandmothers, from different locations in Johannesburg, were interviewed, using a semi-structured interview. The data gathered from the interviews was analysed using aspects of narrative analysis. The findings regarding African grandmother’s cultural descriptions of mothering were on the most part consistent with the literature reviewed. The discrepancies between the participants’ understandings and the psychoanalytic attachment literature arose as a result of the major influence of socio-economic circumstances on their lives as caregivers. Psychoanalytic attachment constructs were present in the participant’s narratives and even though they were not specifically named by the participants, the results suggested they are entrenched in African cultural practices. Thus, from a psychoanalytic attachment theory perspective the research was able to demonstrate the convergences and divergences between psychoanalytic concepts of mothering and African cultural understandings of mothering, thereby illustrating how there is room for dialogue between the two.
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