This study examined a neglected area in long term care and adult day care research: staff development. The specific purposes of this study were to describe the provision of a comprehensive staff development program in adult day care centers in Virginia in order to (a) differentiate those centers providing only the minimum required inservice training from those centers providing more comprehensive staff development programs and (b) define what meaning is placed upon staff education programs by center administrators. A mail survey design was used for this study. The questionnaire developed for the study has three sections: (a) center characteristics, (b) staff characteristics, and (c) the meaning of staff development. Quantitative analysis was conducted on the first two sections while qualitative analysis was used to examine the final section. A conceptual model for adult day care staff development programs was also developed for the study. The model was used to compare the staff development programs across adult day care centers in Virginia. The sample included all licensed adult day care center administrators in Virginia (n=43). The total response rate for this survey was 88%. Results were discussed in terms of the provision of staff development programs, as well as the meaning that was placed on staff development by the responding center administrators. The results showed that much importance is placed upon staff development programs by the center administrators and they follow through with this by providing a well rounded staff development program for their staff. / Master of Science

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One role of an administrator is to provide and assess staff development programs. The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of a 120-hour standards-based, technology-connnected staff development program on participating teachers' instruction.

Performance management systems help align individual goals and objectives with those of the organisation. The system engages employees and thereby directs them toward achieving the strategic goals of the organisation. The purpose of this research study was to conduct a critical evaluation on the management and implementation of Performance management and development System in the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs. Despite the importance of performance management, most organisations find it difficult to implement, manage and sustain performance management systems and processes effectively. It is therefore crucial to ensure adequate planning, evaluation and training is done that will support a sustainable process. Given the strategic role played by the SMS, especially the management of Performance Agreements in the realization of government programmes, it is important that departmental officials make efforts to ensure compliance with its provisions. This study has shown that officials have not been accurate enough in their implementation of the PMDS. The study reveals that there is no staff development programme in place that would help develop staff members to grow in the different fields of their jobs. This is a sound reason why staff responded that they are not happy with the current system. It would appear that management does not devote a great deal of time to staff development. The focus of the PMDS needs to be changed from an output-focused system to a management development system, where there is an increased focus on the development of competencies, compared to the current focus on rewarding only output.

The purpose of this study was to explore and to describe experiences of learner nurses regarding clinical supervision at private hospitals in East London in the Eastern Cape. These were Life Healthcare hospitals. A qualitative, contextual approach was used and the exploratory, descriptive design was seen as most appropriate in this study. The subjects were the learner nurses in the Bridging Course Programme leading to registration as a General Nurse. The research questions were: How did you as a learner nurse, doing the Bridging Course, experience clinical supervision at Life Healthcare hospitals? A pilot study was conducted in a clinical setting involving respondents with similar characteristics to the study population. Fourteen participants were selected for this study by using a purposive, non-probability sampling method. Data were collected by means of individual interviews during which participants were able to describe their experiences during clinical supervision; data were collected until data saturation was reached.During data analysis, the researcher used the process of bracketing and remained neutral, setting aside previous knowledge and beliefs about the phenomenon under investigation. The researcher listened to the audiotapes used for data collection several times until she was completely satisfied with the interpretation of the verbatim data. Transcriptions were made within three days of the interview. The research was done in an ethically reflective manner and the researcher ensured the trustworthiness of the study at all times. The researcher allowed the participants freedom to conduct their lives as autonomous agents, without external The purpose of this study was to explore and to describe experiences of learner nurses regarding clinical supervision at private hospitals in East London in the Eastern Cape. These were Life Healthcare hospitals. A qualitative, contextual approach was used and the exploratory, descriptive design was seen as most appropriate in this study. The subjects were the learner nurses in the Bridging Course Programme leading to registration as a General Nurse. The research questions were: How did you as a learner nurse, doing the Bridging Course, experience clinical supervision at Life Healthcare hospitals? A pilot study was conducted in a clinical setting involving respondents with similar characteristics to the study population. Fourteen participants were selected for this study by using a purposive, non-probability sampling method. Data were collected by means of individual interviews during which participants were able to describe their experiences during clinical supervision; data were collected until data saturation was reached.During data analysis, the researcher used the process of bracketing and remained neutral, setting aside previous knowledge and beliefs about the phenomenon under investigation. The researcher listened to the audiotapes used for data collection several times until she was completely satisfied with the interpretation of the verbatim data. Transcriptions were made within three days of the interview. The research was done in an ethically reflective manner and the researcher ensured the trustworthiness of the study at all times. The researcher allowed the participants freedom to conduct their lives as autonomous agents, without external control, coercion or exploitation. The following findings were evident: Three main themes emerged from data analyses. These comprised inadequate clinical supervision, satisfactory clinical supervision and suggestions and inputs regarding clinical supervision. Detailed discussions about the findings in relation to earlier studies were conducted. Recommendations to improve clinical supervision were made in order to improve the experiences of learner nurses during training. The findings of the research will be made available through the University of Fort Hare library and the Life College of Learning. Furthermore the information of this study will be shared with colleagues and will be published in an accredited nursing journal such as Curationis as well as other journals.control, coercion or exploitation. The following findings were evident: Three main themes emerged from data analyses. These comprised inadequate clinical supervision, satisfactory clinical supervision and suggestions and inputs regarding clinical supervision. Detailed discussions about the findings in relation to earlier studies were conducted. Recommendations to improve clinical supervision were made in order to improve the experiences of learner nurses during training. The findings of the research will be made available through the University of Fort Hare library and the Life College of Learning. Furthermore the information of this study will be shared with colleagues and will be published in an accredited nursing journal such as Curationis as well as other journals.

The introduction of e-learning in teaching and learning has necessitated the training of staff members in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This study focuses on the challenges that staff members, who are the facilitators of learning, experience when undergoing training in ICT. The research design employed a qualitative methodology which involved focus groups from a public university. Data was collected from the participants through semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that the challenges that staff members experienced during ICT training are related to a lack of computer competence, lack of time, an information overload, the non-involvement of staff in the planning of their training, facilitation limitations, lack of technical support and institutional challenges that involve infrastructure. The study further revealed that the principles of adult learning play a reciprocal role in the staff’s professional developmental challenges. In view of these findings, this study offers recommendations for improving the ICT training of staff members. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

The introduction of e-learning in teaching and learning has necessitated the training of staff members in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This study focuses on the challenges that staff members, who are the facilitators of learning, experience when undergoing training in ICT. The research design employed a qualitative methodology which involved focus groups from a public university. Data was collected from the participants through semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that the challenges that staff members experienced during ICT training are related to a lack of computer competence, lack of time, an information overload, the non-involvement of staff in the planning of their training, facilitation limitations, lack of technical support and institutional challenges that involve infrastructure. The study further revealed that the principles of adult learning play a reciprocal role in the staff’s professional developmental challenges. In view of these findings, this study offers recommendations for improving the ICT training of staff members. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

Full-service restaurants serve many different types of customers with preconceived ideas about what they want and expect to receive from the restaurant. During the dining experience, each customer experiences the service differently and subconsciously evaluates the experience differently. The purpose of this study is to determine the expectations and perceptions of customers regarding the dining experience dimensions at Full-Service Restaurants (FSRs). The dimensions relate to service quality, food quality and ambience quality expectations and perceptions of customers. Customer satisfaction was also analysed, as a satisfied customer will show return intentions and this customer will tell friends and family about this FSR. A self-administered survey of employees at a tertiary academic institution revealed that waiter professionalism, value for money and the atmosphere in the restaurant are the most important considerations when it comes to the expectations of the dining experience. The findings of this study presented a demographic profile (gender, age, home language, highest education qualification, LSM) and it was found that demographic category groups differ in the way that they perceive the dining experience. The study reveals that males tends to be less critical than women, LSM 9 respondents are less critical than LSM 10 respondents and respondents with an undergraduate degree or less are less critical than respondents with a post-graduate degree. Respondents were satisfied overall with their dining experiences. Recommendations include that management must focus on pricing strategies, waiter training and the flow of communication between the restaurant and the customer. The recommendations made in this study will assist management of FSRs to understand the significance of the dining experience dimensions and to implement the required levels of service, food and ambience quality. With this knowledge, the management of FSRs can be assured of a satisfied customer and a competitive offering. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

The study Assess the role of Cooperatives in Poverty Alleviation in the Eastern Cape Case Study of Amathole District Municipality how cooperatives are conducted in the Amathole District Municipality and establishes the perceptions of staff and members of the public about the service rendered by the municipality, and developing the mechanisms that can be used to identify cooperatives activities and how to improve the services rendered by the municipality, and if there are any challenges, they must be resolved. The research was also to look at how the support from government and other government agencies are used to enhance the cooperatives governance. Lastly, the research was to find the best model for cooperative development and what needs to be done to enhance the capacity of the cooperatives. The literature indicates that staff must be equipped with necessary skills; however it is evident that training and development is essential for the members of the cooperative. Questionnaires and interviews were used as a method of collecting data from the respondents. In this study, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyse the data. The research assumption was that cooperative development is a viable tool for economic development of the rural areas. This can help many South Africans and many communities come out of poverty. However, there are limitations that were caused by the inability of government to co-ordinate cooperative development. Despite the role that cooperatives play in South Africa, cooperatives still experience a number of challenges. These challenges are, amongst others, lack of access to finance, lack of access to market, lack of business skills, lack of infrastructural facilities and lack of knowledge about the cooperative. In view of the challenges facing the cooperatives, the government instituted a number of state departments and parastatals for funding and other necessary support. These are DTI, DEDEA (in the Eastern Cape), ECDC, South African Development Agency (SEDA), Department of Labour and municipalities. The objectives of these support institutions are to provide necessary support needed by cooperatives and to ensure that cooperative development is sustainable.