In hierdie studie word betoog dat korporatiewe sosialeverantwoordelikheid (KSV) minstens twee funksies het: om tot volhoubare ontwikkeling by te dra; en om strategiese voordeel vir die maatskappy te skep. Doeltreffende kommunikasie word as noodsaaklik beskou om beide bogenoemde funksies te vervul. Gevolglik word betoog dat maatskappye oor (om strategiese voordeel te trek) en in (om tot volhoubare ontwikkeling by te dra) KSV behoort te kommunikeer. Daaruit volg dat ʼn model vir KSV-kommunikasie beide soorte KSV-kommunikasie moet insluit. Die teoretiese veld van KSV-kommunikasie is tans ontoereikend en daarom word teorieë uit ander velde geraadpleeg om ʼn teoretiese begronding voor te stel. Daar word geredeneer dat kommunikasie oor KSV aan die uitgangspunte van drie kommunikasiebestuursbenaderings behoort te voldoen, aangesien hierdie benaderings dieselfde doelwitte as kommunikasie oor KSV nastreef. Die benaderings sluit in: simmetriese tweerigtingkommunikasie, die reflektiewe benadering asook strategiese kommunikasiebestuur. Betreffende kommunikasie in KSV word betoog dat hierdie vorm van kommunikasie aan die uitgangspunte van die deelnemende benadering tot ontwikkelingskommunikasie behoort te voldoen, aangesien dit volhoubare ontwikkeling as doelwit nastreef. Op grond van ʼn literatuurstudie oor bogenoemde kommunikasiebenaderings, word ʼn teoretiese model vir KSV-kommunikasie in die huidige studie voorgestel. Die empiriese deel van die studie fokus op die landbousektor en die teoretiese KSV-kommunikasiemodel word in die landbousektor toegepas om vas te stel hoe nuttig dit is. Hierdie studie stel voor dat ondersteuning aan opkomende boere die hooffokus van landboumaatskappye se KSV behoort te wees. Daar word gevolglik aanvaar dat landboumaatskappye met opkomende boere (as bevoordeeldes) in KSV behoort te kommunikeer, terwyl hulle met kommersiële boere (as kliënte, verskaffers en soms aandeelhouers) oor KSV behoort te kommunikeer. Die huidige studie het twee landboumaatskappye – Senwes en NWK – se KSV-kommunikasie ondersoek. Die empiriese deel van die studie is kwalitatief benader en die navorsingsmetodes is semigestruktureerde onderhoude, fokusgroepe en kwalitatiewe inhoudsanalise. Kwalitatiewe inhoudsanalise is ook ingespan om die resultate te ontleed wat deur die ander navorsingsmetodes bekom is. Daar is bevind dat kommunikasie tussen die betrokke werknemers van die landboumaatskappye en opkomende boere in KSV grootliks aan die uitgangspunte van die deelnemende benadering tot ontwikkelingskommunikasie voldoen. Die opkomende boere was oor die algemeen heel tevrede met kommunikasie soos dit tans geskied. Daarteenoor wil dit voorkom asof die landboumaatskappye so ver moontlik vermy om oor hulle KSV-inisiatiewe met kommersiële boere te kommunikeer. Geen van die kommersiële boere wat aan die studie deelgeneem het, was bewus van die maatskappye se betrokkenheid by ontwikkelende landbou nie, en was uiters negatief oor hierdie gebrek aan kommunikasie. Uit die voorgestelde model vir KSV-kommunikasie blyk dat die kommunikasiekanale, aard van kommunikasie en kommunikasiebeginsels grootliks dieselfde is vir kommunikasie in en oor KSV. Die doelwitte van hierdie twee soorte KSV-kommunikasie stem gedeeltelik ooreen, maar dit kan ook uiteenlopend wees. Die integrasie van kommunikasie in en oor KSV in een model word egter bemoeilik deurdat die metateoretiese raamwerke wat die relevante basisteorieë vir die ondersoek onderlê, oënskynlik uiteenlopende beskouings oor die doel van kommunikasie huldig. / PhD (Communication Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In hierdie studie word betoog dat korporatiewe sosialeverantwoordelikheid (KSV) minstens twee funksies het: om tot volhoubare ontwikkeling by te dra; en om strategiese voordeel vir die maatskappy te skep. Doeltreffende kommunikasie word as noodsaaklik beskou om beide bogenoemde funksies te vervul. Gevolglik word betoog dat maatskappye oor (om strategiese voordeel te trek) en in (om tot volhoubare ontwikkeling by te dra) KSV behoort te kommunikeer. Daaruit volg dat ʼn model vir KSV-kommunikasie beide soorte KSV-kommunikasie moet insluit. Die teoretiese veld van KSV-kommunikasie is tans ontoereikend en daarom word teorieë uit ander velde geraadpleeg om ʼn teoretiese begronding voor te stel. Daar word geredeneer dat kommunikasie oor KSV aan die uitgangspunte van drie kommunikasiebestuursbenaderings behoort te voldoen, aangesien hierdie benaderings dieselfde doelwitte as kommunikasie oor KSV nastreef. Die benaderings sluit in: simmetriese tweerigtingkommunikasie, die reflektiewe benadering asook strategiese kommunikasiebestuur. Betreffende kommunikasie in KSV word betoog dat hierdie vorm van kommunikasie aan die uitgangspunte van die deelnemende benadering tot ontwikkelingskommunikasie behoort te voldoen, aangesien dit volhoubare ontwikkeling as doelwit nastreef. Op grond van ʼn literatuurstudie oor bogenoemde kommunikasiebenaderings, word ʼn teoretiese model vir KSV-kommunikasie in die huidige studie voorgestel. Die empiriese deel van die studie fokus op die landbousektor en die teoretiese KSV-kommunikasiemodel word in die landbousektor toegepas om vas te stel hoe nuttig dit is. Hierdie studie stel voor dat ondersteuning aan opkomende boere die hooffokus van landboumaatskappye se KSV behoort te wees. Daar word gevolglik aanvaar dat landboumaatskappye met opkomende boere (as bevoordeeldes) in KSV behoort te kommunikeer, terwyl hulle met kommersiële boere (as kliënte, verskaffers en soms aandeelhouers) oor KSV behoort te kommunikeer. Die huidige studie het twee landboumaatskappye – Senwes en NWK – se KSV-kommunikasie ondersoek. Die empiriese deel van die studie is kwalitatief benader en die navorsingsmetodes is semigestruktureerde onderhoude, fokusgroepe en kwalitatiewe inhoudsanalise. Kwalitatiewe inhoudsanalise is ook ingespan om die resultate te ontleed wat deur die ander navorsingsmetodes bekom is. Daar is bevind dat kommunikasie tussen die betrokke werknemers van die landboumaatskappye en opkomende boere in KSV grootliks aan die uitgangspunte van die deelnemende benadering tot ontwikkelingskommunikasie voldoen. Die opkomende boere was oor die algemeen heel tevrede met kommunikasie soos dit tans geskied. Daarteenoor wil dit voorkom asof die landboumaatskappye so ver moontlik vermy om oor hulle KSV-inisiatiewe met kommersiële boere te kommunikeer. Geen van die kommersiële boere wat aan die studie deelgeneem het, was bewus van die maatskappye se betrokkenheid by ontwikkelende landbou nie, en was uiters negatief oor hierdie gebrek aan kommunikasie. Uit die voorgestelde model vir KSV-kommunikasie blyk dat die kommunikasiekanale, aard van kommunikasie en kommunikasiebeginsels grootliks dieselfde is vir kommunikasie in en oor KSV. Die doelwitte van hierdie twee soorte KSV-kommunikasie stem gedeeltelik ooreen, maar dit kan ook uiteenlopend wees. Die integrasie van kommunikasie in en oor KSV in een model word egter bemoeilik deurdat die metateoretiese raamwerke wat die relevante basisteorieë vir die ondersoek onderlê, oënskynlik uiteenlopende beskouings oor die doel van kommunikasie huldig. / PhD (Communication Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This thesis focuses on the creation of a systems architecture to help inform development of next generation knowledge-building environments. The architectural model consists of three components: an infrastructure layer, a discourse layer, and a visualization layer. The Knowledge Space Visualizer (KSV), which defines the top visualization layer, is a prototypic system for showing reconstructed representations of discourse-based artifacts and facilitating assessment in light of patterns of interactivity of participants and their ideas. The KSV uses Latent Semantic Analysis to extend techniques from Social Network Analysis, making it possible to infer relationships among note contents. Thus idea networks can be studied in conjunction with social networks in online discourse. Further, benchmark corpora can be used to determine knowledge advances, and systems of interactivity leading to them. Results can then provide feedback to students and teachers to support them in obtaining continually higher level achievements. In addition to visual representations, the KSV provides quantitative network metrics such as degree and density. Data drawn from 9- and 10-year-old students working on a six-week unit on optics were used to illustrate some of the functionality of the KSV. Three studies show ways in which new visualizations can be used: (a) to highlight relationships among notes, (b) as a way of tracking the development of discourse over time, and (c) as an assessment tool. Implications for the design of knowledge building environments, assessment tools, and design-based research are discussed.

This thesis focuses on the creation of a systems architecture to help inform development of next generation knowledge-building environments. The architectural model consists of three components: an infrastructure layer, a discourse layer, and a visualization layer. The Knowledge Space Visualizer (KSV), which defines the top visualization layer, is a prototypic system for showing reconstructed representations of discourse-based artifacts and facilitating assessment in light of patterns of interactivity of participants and their ideas. The KSV uses Latent Semantic Analysis to extend techniques from Social Network Analysis, making it possible to infer relationships among note contents. Thus idea networks can be studied in conjunction with social networks in online discourse. Further, benchmark corpora can be used to determine knowledge advances, and systems of interactivity leading to them. Results can then provide feedback to students and teachers to support them in obtaining continually higher level achievements. In addition to visual representations, the KSV provides quantitative network metrics such as degree and density. Data drawn from 9- and 10-year-old students working on a six-week unit on optics were used to illustrate some of the functionality of the KSV. Three studies show ways in which new visualizations can be used: (a) to highlight relationships among notes, (b) as a way of tracking the development of discourse over time, and (c) as an assessment tool. Implications for the design of knowledge building environments, assessment tools, and design-based research are discussed.

In recent years the ideas of good governance and the responsibility of corporate South Africa to contribute to the society in which they operate have become an undeniable part of organisational conception. Indeed, South Africa is considered to be a leader in the field of corporate governance internationally. Forming part of governance practices is Corporate Social Investment (CSI) whereby corporate organisations contribute to causes and societal groupings in need of financial and other assistance. Among these societal groupings that receive support from CSI activities are non-profit organisations (NPOs) that rely on funding from their corporate donors for survival. Based on the exchange of funding and a shared attempt at social development, a relationship between the two parties emerges. From the perspective of the stakeholder theory, corporate organisations, through their CSI activities, and NPOs are stakeholders of each other and a positive relationship between them could strengthen their individual and collective goals. This study explored and described the relationship between corporate donors and recipient NPOs in order to understand the state of the relationship and to critically consider the way in which the relationship is defined, described and measured. First, the relationship was explored by means of partially structured interviews based on well-known relationship indicators where it appeared that the relationship is not only fraught with negative perceptions from both sides, but also where the relationship indicators used to explore the relationship were not entirely suited for the specific context of this relationship. The negative perceptions and inappropriate relationship indicators formed the basis of a theoretical inquiry of literature on CSI, stakeholder relationships and participatory development communication. Subsequently, the partially structured interviews and the literature review informed the design of two corresponding survey questionnaires that could test both findings quantitatively. The results of validity and reliability testing confirmed the qualitative finding that a contextualised measurement is suited for this relationship. A mix of existing and newly formulated items grouped in contextual elements and redefined relationship indicators was used to describe the relationship. A combined analysis of qualitative and quantitative results indicated that the relationship is not as negative as the qualitative research might have suggested (possibly a result of contextualised measurement); but that very specific relational challenges are present and it is suggested that these challenges need a realistic approach of which accurate description is a starting point. The research contributes twofold with the first contribution being a clearer understanding of the relationship between corporate donors and recipient NPOs and the second being a set of redefined and contextualised relationship indicators with which to define and measure this relationship. / PhD (Communication Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

In recent years the ideas of good governance and the responsibility of corporate South Africa to contribute to the society in which they operate have become an undeniable part of organisational conception. Indeed, South Africa is considered to be a leader in the field of corporate governance internationally. Forming part of governance practices is Corporate Social Investment (CSI) whereby corporate organisations contribute to causes and societal groupings in need of financial and other assistance. Among these societal groupings that receive support from CSI activities are non-profit organisations (NPOs) that rely on funding from their corporate donors for survival. Based on the exchange of funding and a shared attempt at social development, a relationship between the two parties emerges. From the perspective of the stakeholder theory, corporate organisations, through their CSI activities, and NPOs are stakeholders of each other and a positive relationship between them could strengthen their individual and collective goals. This study explored and described the relationship between corporate donors and recipient NPOs in order to understand the state of the relationship and to critically consider the way in which the relationship is defined, described and measured. First, the relationship was explored by means of partially structured interviews based on well-known relationship indicators where it appeared that the relationship is not only fraught with negative perceptions from both sides, but also where the relationship indicators used to explore the relationship were not entirely suited for the specific context of this relationship. The negative perceptions and inappropriate relationship indicators formed the basis of a theoretical inquiry of literature on CSI, stakeholder relationships and participatory development communication. Subsequently, the partially structured interviews and the literature review informed the design of two corresponding survey questionnaires that could test both findings quantitatively. The results of validity and reliability testing confirmed the qualitative finding that a contextualised measurement is suited for this relationship. A mix of existing and newly formulated items grouped in contextual elements and redefined relationship indicators was used to describe the relationship. A combined analysis of qualitative and quantitative results indicated that the relationship is not as negative as the qualitative research might have suggested (possibly a result of contextualised measurement); but that very specific relational challenges are present and it is suggested that these challenges need a realistic approach of which accurate description is a starting point. The research contributes twofold with the first contribution being a clearer understanding of the relationship between corporate donors and recipient NPOs and the second being a set of redefined and contextualised relationship indicators with which to define and measure this relationship. / PhD (Communication Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

In this study it is argued that organisations can contribute to development through their Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives (CSR). Therefore one should consider CSR programmes similar to development programmes and should be managed accordingly. When one communicates in a development context it happens within the extensive field of development communication. In this field the participatory approach to development communication is regarded as the normative approach. In view of this, this study argues that communication in CSR programmes should conform to the principles of the participatory approach. Participatory evaluation is one of the elements of the participatory approach; therefore the evaluation of programmes should adhere to the principles of the participatory approach to contribute to sustainable development. For this reason this study is informed by the relevant principles of the participatory approach to evaluation: dialogue; participation; empowerment and diversity. These principles of participatory evaluation are rooted in the mentioned principles and they are: partnership; participation in evaluation; acknowledgement of local knowledge; empowerment and change. The financial sector in South Africa is one of the largest financial contributors towards CSR. As a result, two financial organisations were chosen to be studied. The research question of this study is: What is the nature of the communication during evaluation of CSR programmes in the financial sector? A qualitative approach is used in this study to obtain the relevant information. Qualitative content analysis, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were used as research methods. The conclusion is made that none of the five programmes in this study use participatory evaluation to evaluate their CSR programmes. In two of the programmes a limited partnership is identified between the organisation and/or the program leader and the beneficiaries, while no partnership was found in the other three programmes. Limited participation from the beneficiaries of the two programmes during evaluation was observed; hence limited local knowledge is recognised in these two programmes. It was also found that only two programmes' beneficiaries are empowered through evaluation and only these two programmes changed according to the beneficiaries’ input. These findings that were made through an empirical study indicate that in spite of the limited presence of some principles of participatory evaluation in two of the five programmes, neither of the organisations uses participatory evaluation methods to evaluate their CSR programmes. / Thesis (MA (Communication Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

In this study it is argued that organisations can contribute to development through their Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives (CSR). Therefore one should consider CSR programmes similar to development programmes and should be managed accordingly. When one communicates in a development context it happens within the extensive field of development communication. In this field the participatory approach to development communication is regarded as the normative approach. In view of this, this study argues that communication in CSR programmes should conform to the principles of the participatory approach. Participatory evaluation is one of the elements of the participatory approach; therefore the evaluation of programmes should adhere to the principles of the participatory approach to contribute to sustainable development. For this reason this study is informed by the relevant principles of the participatory approach to evaluation: dialogue; participation; empowerment and diversity. These principles of participatory evaluation are rooted in the mentioned principles and they are: partnership; participation in evaluation; acknowledgement of local knowledge; empowerment and change. The financial sector in South Africa is one of the largest financial contributors towards CSR. As a result, two financial organisations were chosen to be studied. The research question of this study is: What is the nature of the communication during evaluation of CSR programmes in the financial sector? A qualitative approach is used in this study to obtain the relevant information. Qualitative content analysis, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were used as research methods. The conclusion is made that none of the five programmes in this study use participatory evaluation to evaluate their CSR programmes. In two of the programmes a limited partnership is identified between the organisation and/or the program leader and the beneficiaries, while no partnership was found in the other three programmes. Limited participation from the beneficiaries of the two programmes during evaluation was observed; hence limited local knowledge is recognised in these two programmes. It was also found that only two programmes' beneficiaries are empowered through evaluation and only these two programmes changed according to the beneficiaries’ input. These findings that were made through an empirical study indicate that in spite of the limited presence of some principles of participatory evaluation in two of the five programmes, neither of the organisations uses participatory evaluation methods to evaluate their CSR programmes. / Thesis (MA (Communication Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The North-West University (NWU) is an example of an organization that has a social responsibity towards the community and the environment within which it finds itself (Van Schalkwyk, 2013). One of the social responsibility programmes of the NWU-Pukke is known as the Students’ Rag Community Service (SRCS). The SRCS is a registered NPO (non-profit organization) which is run by the students of the NWU Potchefstroom Campus and which has been in existence since 1992 in its present form. In this study it is argued that the SRCS developmental projects could be offered in a more effective and sustainable manner by implementing the basic principles of the participatory approach, viz. Participation, dialogue, empowerment and cultural identity in order to support the local communities in their developmental processes. For the present study the focus was solely on one of the SRCS projects, the Pick a leader-leadership development project. This project has the aim of providing in the developmental needs of ten to fifteen Grade 11 learners in three schools in the North West Province (Potchefstrom and the surrounding communities in Ikageng). Thus project participants (learners) are instructed in basic skills about starting their own businesses (entrepreneurship); how to develop their leadership skills and to apply these skills, and how to be able to use basic life skills in their everyday lives. Various theoreticians have explained how NPO’s without participatory communication are seldom successful in terms of developmental initiatives. The learners can only develop if the relevant roleplayers of the project take ownership of the project by also being able to communicate in a participatory manner about their specific needs with both the NPO and the project volunteers. The NWU-Pukke volunteers, who manage this particular project, therefore have the responsibility to communicate in a participatory manner with the relevant learners, their teachers and then also the different principals to make the project succeed and to contribute to the realization of the developmental needs of the learners. The general research aim of the study had been to determine the nature of the communication among interest groups in the Pick a leader-leadership development programme of the SRCS. Qualitiative research methods, viz. Semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews and participant observation, were used in this study for purposes of making making a thorough investigation into the nature of the communication among those involved in the Pick a leader leadership development programme. The purpose of this was to determine perspectives about the project held by the persons involved (but especially those of the learners) and to interpret these in line with the normative theoretical principles of the participatory approach to developmental communication. It was ultimately found that the communication in the Pick a leader-leadership development programme was mostly one-way. / MA (Communication Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The North-West University (NWU) is an example of an organization that has a social responsibity towards the community and the environment within which it finds itself (Van Schalkwyk, 2013). One of the social responsibility programmes of the NWU-Pukke is known as the Students’ Rag Community Service (SRCS). The SRCS is a registered NPO (non-profit organization) which is run by the students of the NWU Potchefstroom Campus and which has been in existence since 1992 in its present form. In this study it is argued that the SRCS developmental projects could be offered in a more effective and sustainable manner by implementing the basic principles of the participatory approach, viz. Participation, dialogue, empowerment and cultural identity in order to support the local communities in their developmental processes. For the present study the focus was solely on one of the SRCS projects, the Pick a leader-leadership development project. This project has the aim of providing in the developmental needs of ten to fifteen Grade 11 learners in three schools in the North West Province (Potchefstrom and the surrounding communities in Ikageng). Thus project participants (learners) are instructed in basic skills about starting their own businesses (entrepreneurship); how to develop their leadership skills and to apply these skills, and how to be able to use basic life skills in their everyday lives. Various theoreticians have explained how NPO’s without participatory communication are seldom successful in terms of developmental initiatives. The learners can only develop if the relevant roleplayers of the project take ownership of the project by also being able to communicate in a participatory manner about their specific needs with both the NPO and the project volunteers. The NWU-Pukke volunteers, who manage this particular project, therefore have the responsibility to communicate in a participatory manner with the relevant learners, their teachers and then also the different principals to make the project succeed and to contribute to the realization of the developmental needs of the learners. The general research aim of the study had been to determine the nature of the communication among interest groups in the Pick a leader-leadership development programme of the SRCS. Qualitiative research methods, viz. Semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews and participant observation, were used in this study for purposes of making making a thorough investigation into the nature of the communication among those involved in the Pick a leader leadership development programme. The purpose of this was to determine perspectives about the project held by the persons involved (but especially those of the learners) and to interpret these in line with the normative theoretical principles of the participatory approach to developmental communication. It was ultimately found that the communication in the Pick a leader-leadership development programme was mostly one-way. / MA (Communication Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014