THE UTILISATION OF LIFE MAPS AS AN AID IN FOSTER CARE SERVICE DELIVERY. During the past few years there has been a significant increase in foster care service delivery, partially due to the HIV and AIDS pandemic. More children need to be placed in foster care, and family placements become an only option in many cases. Due to this shift in foster care placements permanency planning has become an important part of foster care services. Thus, this study has focused on the development of guidelines by using a concept model with the focus on life maps in order to facilitate and structure the foster care process. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The literature review on tourist satisfaction revealed that a satisfied tourist leads to positive word of mouth recommendation to friends and family, loyalty (return visits), competitive advantage and long-term profitability and sustainability. These favourable benefits resulting from satisfaction are necessary for any destination to survive in the competitive tourism industry. The Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) is one of 21 national parks in South Africa and is managed by SANParks. Data captured from visitors to the (AENP) was used to achieve the objective of this study. As national, regional, local and privately owned parks (private game farms) strive to increase their share in the international and national market, it is important to understand why visitors return to a certain destination and the role service plays in the return decision. Literature on satisfaction identified two components that contribute to return visits. These were service (delivering quality service) and travel motivation (why people travel to a certain destination). The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between satisfaction, service and travel motivations of the visitors to the AENP. To achieve this, data captured from 2005-2007 by the Institute for Tourism and Leisure Studies on the AENP was firstly used to determine the visitors? profile and, secondly, to apply factor analyses and the t-test. The factor analyses were applied and, in both cases, four factors were identified. In the case of the service factors, hospitality services, general services, activities, and infrastructure disseminations were found and, in the case of travel motivation factors, learning experience, activities and events, escape and family socialising. The t-tests were used to determine whether or not visitors' expectations were met. This was also used to determine the relationship between travel motives, service and satisfaction of the visitors to the AENP. Findings indicated that the visitors whose primary travel motivation expectations were met rated the services higher than visitors whose primary travel motivation expectations were not met. The research therefore confirmed that there is a relationship between service and travel motivation. In terms of visitors' satisfaction, the relevance of the relationship between travel motives and service is lower if the visitors' primary travel needs are met, with a higher relevance of the relationship if the primary travel needs are not met. Park management can use these results as tools to ensure that the product offered guarantees visitors' satisfaction and therefore contributes to long-term park sustainability. Therefore park management can obtain the ideal tourist experience by not only focusing on the travel motives but also on the quality of service delivered at the park. / Thesis (M.Com. (Tourism))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The literature review on tourist satisfaction revealed that a satisfied tourist leads to positive word of mouth recommendation to friends and family, loyalty (return visits), competitive advantage and long-term profitability and sustainability. These favourable benefits resulting from satisfaction are necessary for any destination to survive in the competitive tourism industry. The Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) is one of 21 national parks in South Africa and is managed by SANParks. Data captured from visitors to the (AENP) was used to achieve the objective of this study. As national, regional, local and privately owned parks (private game farms) strive to increase their share in the international and national market, it is important to understand why visitors return to a certain destination and the role service plays in the return decision. Literature on satisfaction identified two components that contribute to return visits. These were service (delivering quality service) and travel motivation (why people travel to a certain destination). The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between satisfaction, service and travel motivations of the visitors to the AENP. To achieve this, data captured from 2005-2007 by the Institute for Tourism and Leisure Studies on the AENP was firstly used to determine the visitors? profile and, secondly, to apply factor analyses and the t-test. The factor analyses were applied and, in both cases, four factors were identified. In the case of the service factors, hospitality services, general services, activities, and infrastructure disseminations were found and, in the case of travel motivation factors, learning experience, activities and events, escape and family socialising. The t-tests were used to determine whether or not visitors' expectations were met. This was also used to determine the relationship between travel motives, service and satisfaction of the visitors to the AENP. Findings indicated that the visitors whose primary travel motivation expectations were met rated the services higher than visitors whose primary travel motivation expectations were not met. The research therefore confirmed that there is a relationship between service and travel motivation. In terms of visitors' satisfaction, the relevance of the relationship between travel motives and service is lower if the visitors' primary travel needs are met, with a higher relevance of the relationship if the primary travel needs are not met. Park management can use these results as tools to ensure that the product offered guarantees visitors' satisfaction and therefore contributes to long-term park sustainability. Therefore park management can obtain the ideal tourist experience by not only focusing on the travel motives but also on the quality of service delivered at the park. / Thesis (M.Com. (Tourism))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

THE UTILISATION OF LIFE MAPS AS AN AID IN FOSTER CARE SERVICE DELIVERY. During the past few years there has been a significant increase in foster care service delivery, partially due to the HIV and AIDS pandemic. More children need to be placed in foster care, and family placements become an only option in many cases. Due to this shift in foster care placements permanency planning has become an important part of foster care services. Thus, this study has focused on the development of guidelines by using a concept model with the focus on life maps in order to facilitate and structure the foster care process. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Sexual abuse of children is a reality that occurs in communities on a daily basis. In a specific informal settlement in Buffalo City, where the researcher has previously worked as social worker, statistics showed that children in their early childhood are the most vulnerable to sexual abuse. The parents' socio-economic circumstances lead to inadequate protection and security for their minor children, making them vulnerable to sexual abuse. Research shows that each community has specific risk and protection factors in respect of sexual abuse. The aim of this study was to explore and describe through a descriptive, qualitative design the risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse of children in a particular informal settlement in Buffalo City. The research question for the study reads as follows: What are the risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse of children in a particular informal settlement in Buffalo City? Sixteen participants were interviewed by means of semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Purposeful, non-probability sampling was used to select parents or caregivers of children who were sexually abused as well as community leaders in the community to participate in the interviewing. Detailed reflections were ob tained from participants of their perceptions of contributing risk factors that left the children vulnerable. These interviews were conducted with the use of an interview schedule that was compiled in accordance with a literature study and thereafter tested. The methods that were use to capture data were interviewing, observations, reflections and fieldnotes. The interviews were transcribed for the purposes of data analysis and were analysed according to the steps of Creswell (2009). The ecological system perspective has served as the theoretical framework for this study, and five themes were identified in this context. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories, and were discussed with relevant narratives. The narratives were obtained from the transcripts. Finally, the findings were checked and verified against existing literature. The results can be summarised as follows: i. According to the findings, risk factors that contribute to the preschool child as an individual being vulnerable to sexual abuse is leaving the child alone at home without adequate supervision or the inability of parents or caregivers to provide adequately for the child’s basic needs. ii. Inadequate parenting was identified as a contributing risk factor on micro level. iii. Apathy among neighbours due to the absence of ubuntu was a contributing risk factor on meso level. iv. Inadequate programmes by social service organisations to preschool children were contributing risk factors on the eco systemic level. v. Finally, poverty and inadequate infrastructure were contributing risk factors within the community as macro system. / Thesis (MSW)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Sexual abuse of children is a reality that occurs in communities on a daily basis. In a specific informal settlement in Buffalo City, where the researcher has previously worked as social worker, statistics showed that children in their early childhood are the most vulnerable to sexual abuse. The parents' socio-economic circumstances lead to inadequate protection and security for their minor children, making them vulnerable to sexual abuse. Research shows that each community has specific risk and protection factors in respect of sexual abuse. The aim of this study was to explore and describe through a descriptive, qualitative design the risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse of children in a particular informal settlement in Buffalo City. The research question for the study reads as follows: What are the risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse of children in a particular informal settlement in Buffalo City? Sixteen participants were interviewed by means of semi-structured one-on-one interviews. Purposeful, non-probability sampling was used to select parents or caregivers of children who were sexually abused as well as community leaders in the community to participate in the interviewing. Detailed reflections were ob tained from participants of their perceptions of contributing risk factors that left the children vulnerable. These interviews were conducted with the use of an interview schedule that was compiled in accordance with a literature study and thereafter tested. The methods that were use to capture data were interviewing, observations, reflections and fieldnotes. The interviews were transcribed for the purposes of data analysis and were analysed according to the steps of Creswell (2009). The ecological system perspective has served as the theoretical framework for this study, and five themes were identified in this context. These themes were divided into sub-themes and categories, and were discussed with relevant narratives. The narratives were obtained from the transcripts. Finally, the findings were checked and verified against existing literature. The results can be summarised as follows: i. According to the findings, risk factors that contribute to the preschool child as an individual being vulnerable to sexual abuse is leaving the child alone at home without adequate supervision or the inability of parents or caregivers to provide adequately for the child’s basic needs. ii. Inadequate parenting was identified as a contributing risk factor on micro level. iii. Apathy among neighbours due to the absence of ubuntu was a contributing risk factor on meso level. iv. Inadequate programmes by social service organisations to preschool children were contributing risk factors on the eco systemic level. v. Finally, poverty and inadequate infrastructure were contributing risk factors within the community as macro system. / Thesis (MSW)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Identifying and prioritising effective service delivery drivers' in selected civil construction companies are more than merely satisfying customers' need. By successfully identifying and prioritising effective service delivery drivers within the selected civil construction companies, the companies will be able to achieve competitive advantage above their competitors. This study, by using a questionnaire as a measurement instrument, established that a gap currently exist between what civil construction companies, their employees and their customers regards as effective service delivery drivers within the civil construction industry. By closing this gap, the civil construction companies will be able to generate or maximise profits for their shareholders as there will be common understanding of the level of performance to meet the customer's expectations. The company will also have engaged employees as they would know what is expected from them on a daily basis. The study further highlights the benefits of managing these identified service delivery drivers and elaborate on the factors needed to successfully manage a service level agreement between a civil construction company and their customers. Civil construction companies however will have to revisit these drivers on a continuous basis as client satisfaction is associated with continuous improvement, permanent assessment of service delivery drivers and the service delivery standards. In essence, there are still a lot of challenges and opportunities when it comes to quality service delivery drivers in the civil construction industry. Each company needs to conduct a SWOT analysis to evaluate their competitiveness within the industry. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

In 2001 the first Human Resource Development Strategy of South Africa (HRDSA) was implemented. The lack of institutional arrangements, structures, procedures, processes and capacity and the location of the HRDSA, 2001, at both the then Departments of Education and Labour, severely hampered the implementation and effective functioning of the Strategy. This study aims to find solutions to the main implementation difficulties experienced with the HRDSA, 2001, in order to ensure increased performance regarding the strategic priorities of the revised HRDSA, 2010 – 2030. An empirical study was conducted to determine potential challenges pertaining to the implementation of the revised HRDSA. Interviews were conducted with senior officials and experts at relevant national departments and with the Gauteng Provincial Government and social partners and relevant stakeholders, including organised labour and organised business. Questionnaires distributed among human resource development (HRD) practitioners addressed matters pertaining to possible solutions with regard to the appropriate location of the HRDSA, challenges in implementing the HRDSA, capacity needs, appropriate governance structures, political support and budgetary constraints. Best practice for the implementation of a national HRD strategy in a number of countries is outlined and discussed with a view to benchmarking the HRDSA and learning from the mistakes made by them in the implementation of their national HRD strategies. Based on these lessons learnt by those countries, and valuable information gathered through the results obtained from the questionnaires and interviews, recommendations are made to support the successful implementation of the revised HRDSA. The recommendations are focused on the effective, efficient, economic and sustainable implementation of the revised HRDSA commitments, strategic priorities, strategic objectives, programmes and projects to improve social and economic growth, as well as HRD, human development (HD) and accelerated quality service delivery in South Africa. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Identifying and prioritising effective service delivery drivers' in selected civil construction companies are more than merely satisfying customers' need. By successfully identifying and prioritising effective service delivery drivers within the selected civil construction companies, the companies will be able to achieve competitive advantage above their competitors. This study, by using a questionnaire as a measurement instrument, established that a gap currently exist between what civil construction companies, their employees and their customers regards as effective service delivery drivers within the civil construction industry. By closing this gap, the civil construction companies will be able to generate or maximise profits for their shareholders as there will be common understanding of the level of performance to meet the customer's expectations. The company will also have engaged employees as they would know what is expected from them on a daily basis. The study further highlights the benefits of managing these identified service delivery drivers and elaborate on the factors needed to successfully manage a service level agreement between a civil construction company and their customers. Civil construction companies however will have to revisit these drivers on a continuous basis as client satisfaction is associated with continuous improvement, permanent assessment of service delivery drivers and the service delivery standards. In essence, there are still a lot of challenges and opportunities when it comes to quality service delivery drivers in the civil construction industry. Each company needs to conduct a SWOT analysis to evaluate their competitiveness within the industry. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

In 2001 the first Human Resource Development Strategy of South Africa (HRDSA) was implemented. The lack of institutional arrangements, structures, procedures, processes and capacity and the location of the HRDSA, 2001, at both the then Departments of Education and Labour, severely hampered the implementation and effective functioning of the Strategy. This study aims to find solutions to the main implementation difficulties experienced with the HRDSA, 2001, in order to ensure increased performance regarding the strategic priorities of the revised HRDSA, 2010 – 2030. An empirical study was conducted to determine potential challenges pertaining to the implementation of the revised HRDSA. Interviews were conducted with senior officials and experts at relevant national departments and with the Gauteng Provincial Government and social partners and relevant stakeholders, including organised labour and organised business. Questionnaires distributed among human resource development (HRD) practitioners addressed matters pertaining to possible solutions with regard to the appropriate location of the HRDSA, challenges in implementing the HRDSA, capacity needs, appropriate governance structures, political support and budgetary constraints. Best practice for the implementation of a national HRD strategy in a number of countries is outlined and discussed with a view to benchmarking the HRDSA and learning from the mistakes made by them in the implementation of their national HRD strategies. Based on these lessons learnt by those countries, and valuable information gathered through the results obtained from the questionnaires and interviews, recommendations are made to support the successful implementation of the revised HRDSA. The recommendations are focused on the effective, efficient, economic and sustainable implementation of the revised HRDSA commitments, strategic priorities, strategic objectives, programmes and projects to improve social and economic growth, as well as HRD, human development (HD) and accelerated quality service delivery in South Africa. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.