Ongoing quality concerns in low Income housing have allegedly not been addressed adequately, as has been expressed in numerous speeches and at the Provincial Housing Summit of 2005. This study is an investigation into quality concerns in house construction in governmentsubsidised low-income housing projects in the Pietermaritzburg area. It is informed by total quality management literature. It is motivated by aspects including: (1) government's accountability for public funds; (2) serving as base research for improved resource allocation; (3) and for quality improvement and sustainability strategies; (4) creating an opportunity for introspection by other members in the supply chain; and (5) a responsibility of all stakeholders to realise the ultimate goal of customer satisfaction. Research Design The following research objectives were set: (I) To identify house construction quality concerns in government-subsidised lowincome housing projects in the Pietermaritzburg area. (2) ... To identify the causes of house construction quality problems in the low income housing delivery environment within the Pietermaritzburg area, from the perspective of the developers, municipality and Department of Housing : KwaZulu-Natal. In the context of this research, "developer" is defined as the entity used by the Department or the municipality as an agent for implementing projects. (3) .. To identify how house construction quality issues are currently being addressed. The research was approached in two phases. Phase I was designed to identify whether quality concerns existed in the low income housing projects in the Pietermaritzburg area; and to identify the nature and the extent thereof. Phase 2 was designed to explore the perceived causes of quality concerns, and to identify the systems used by the municipality, its developing agent and the Department of Housing, to ensure sustained quality management. Findings Defects : The findings recorded in Chapter 5 illustrate that there are quality concerns in Pietermaritzburg in relation to government-subsidised low-income housing which were caused mainly by poor workmanship, especially the topping of slabs (i.e., the process in which a final layer of cement is applied to smoothen the floor surface, also refelTed to as "screeding"). The Pareto analysis'indicates that there is a mixture of defect types and causes that need to be addressed, and in order of priority_ These are : (I) screeding; (2) water connection; (3) fitting frames; (4) site clearance; (5) constructions of walls; (6) plumbing, specifically toilet fittings; (7) glazing; (8) corking/filling of gaps; (9) plaster material; (l0) door quality; (11) plaster work; and (12) the quality of frames. Existing systems, norms and standards: Role players are at different stages of advancement with regard to quality and supply chain management. The institutions appear to have an internal focus to quality management that is not customer focussed and lacks information and involvement of all stakeholders. There is no formalised policy on quality management. Such a policy is needed to guide quality improvement and monitoring systems (Gryna, 200 I: 185). The institutions do not appear to have a quality management strategy, or to have a fully integrated quality perspective. Quality assurance and audit process are also lacking. Neither the municipality nor the Department appears to use statistical process control systems to measure and analyse all processes. It appears that the proper infrastructure is not in place to implement a quality management system. Information systems are poor and this is a barrier to effective quality improvement implementation programmes, and to effective project management. There is no common understanding of roles, responsibilities and inspection criteria and processes and internal and external role players are excluded from quality management processes. The management environment and organisational culture within the municipality and the department do not appear to be conducive to encourage a learning organisation approach. Materials quality is not monitored, although it is noted that materials are not perceived to be the cause, and from the sample it is clear that materials have not contributed much to defects. Recommendations: These have been summarised as follows: I. The adoption of a quality management policy that incorporates all stakeholders; 2. The inclusion of quality management in strategic plans with a phased implementation programme; 3. Partnership development and joint planning with all role players; 4. Use of larger contracts, over a longer period of time through a programmatic systems approach; 5. Identification ofbenchmarking partners; 6. The adoption of an audit and assurance mechanism, based on ISO 9000; 7. Development of a learning organisation and change management culture, led from the top; 8. The inclusion of quality performance targets in managers' performance reviews; 9. Clearly defined inspections procedures and documents (including roles and responsibilities), and availability of these on site; 10. Information management systems upgrading; 11. Revision to National Building Regulations in the context of low-income housing; 12. Improved municipal strategies on water connection; 13. On site training regarding topping of slabs, fitting windows and door frames and block work; and 14. Training of all managers and staff on all aspects of quality management theory, tools and techniques, and specifically in relation to low-income housing. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

No presente estudo tem-se o objetivo de analisar a efetiva implantação de um produto de Assistência à Saúde como estratégia empresarial, em suas diversas etapas de execução. A compreensão das dificuldades e dos desafios na implantação de uma estratégia empresarial é o ponto de partida desta pesquisa. Separadas conceitualmente, estratégia e execução são, em verdade, etapas de igual importância que merecem uma visão conjunta. A execução efetiva, entretanto, de uma estratégia, carrega em si uma complexidade de tarefas e uma quantidade de fatores. Também as novas demandas criadas pelo mercado de baixa renda desafiam as organizações, propiciando o lançamento de novos produtos destinados a um novo tipo de consumidor. O desafio de tornar a organização um ofertante ful-line no mercado de saúde suplementar, agregando ao seu portfólio um produto para as classes emergentes, constituiu o cenário e as proposições estratégicas que deveriam ser implementadas como importante decisão da Unimed Porto Alegre. Em relação ao método, adotou-se a pesquisa-ação, em um conceito de pleno envolvimento do pesquisador nas ações desenvolvidas. A execução da estratégia na implantação de um produto de assistência à saúde para o mercado de baixa renda abrangeu o período de 2008 a 2011. Analisaram-se as diversas etapas na implantação do produto e foram considerados os indicadores de desempenho empresarial e mercadológicos, consolidando-se a busca dos objetivos estratégicos propostos. O conjunto de evidências apresentadas consolidou o êxito na execução e nos resultados obtidos. O estudo se justifica por analisar, na prática, o desafiador conjunto de fatores no desenvolvimento de produtos para o público de baixa renda e a dedicação necessária à execução exitosa de uma estratégia empresarial. / Understanding the difficulties and challenges in the implementation of an effective business strategy is the starting point of this research. Conceptually separate, strategy and execution are in fact equally important steps that deserve a joint vision. The effective execution from a strategy carries with it a complexity of tasks and a number of factors that can frustrate even a brilliant design. Also the new demands created by the low-income market challenge organizations providing opportunities to launch new products for a new type of consumer. The challenge of making the organization a bidder ful-line health supplement on the market, adding to its portfolio a product for emerging classes constituted the scenario and strategic propositions that should be implemented as an important decision from Unimed Porto Alegre. Thus this dissertation was developed as a method of study and action research, within the concept of full involvement of the researcher in the actions developed. Strategy execution in deploying a product of health care for low-income market studies the period from 2008 to 2011. The study analyzed the different stages in product deployment. Business performance indicators and market were considered, consolidating the pursuit of strategic objectives proposed. The body of evidence presented consolidates the successful implementation and results. The study is justified by analyzing, in practice, challenging set of factors in the development of products for the low-income public and the dedication needed to run a successful business strategy.

Thesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. / Low-cost housing is always an important / a weighty topic for discussion in South Africa and the construction or occupation of such houses often makes media headlines. The media usually raises the negative aspects of such housing, for instance, the fact that these houses are sometimes poorly constructed, or that the administration systems for allocating such houses to their new owners are often faulty, or that physical access to them is limited, particularly for people with disabilities, and that social interactions among the inhabitants of these houses is often problematic. It therefore appears that the ‘design for all’ – or ‘Universal Design’ – approach has not been considered during the design phases of these developments. Although Universal Design is not a new concept, the South African National Building Regulations has a section specially for creating physical access, but it is not widely practiced or implemented in South Africa, let alone with the local housing sector. There is general lack of awareness, technical know-how for the implementation and a lack of enforceable penalties for non-compliance with this specific section of the Building Regulations (SANS 10400 Part S of 2011). This study aims to investigate some of the socio-technical issues that have arisen in the low-cost housing sector, by specifically focusing on informal settlements in Cape Town, South Africa. During the period of apartheid, pre-1994, population groups in South Africa were segregated into separate residential areas; the aftermath of this is still prevalent, as is the continued exclusion of marginalized groups within the low-cost housing sector. Data was collected through interviews with various people within the professional sector including Architects, experts in Universal Design and people from organisations that specialise in the planning/design/construction of low-cost Housing in Cape Town, focusing on the lack of a more community orientated design approach that utilises the principles of Universal Design as well as Universal Access building audits. Such audits were conducted on houses and communities that were constructed prior to 2004, on houses and communities that were designed and constructed after the passing of the Breaking New Ground (BNG) policy (2010), as well as on proposed new housing designs that were being considered for the future construction. The audits looked at general circulation spaces, community involvement, sustainability and means of construction. On the basis of these highlighted elements, in conjunction with the tender requirements of low-cost housing, and the findings of the interviews / National Research Foundation

Thesis (MTech (Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The study investigates the effectiveness of quality assurance systems in the delivery of low-cost houses in Cape Town South Africa. As an endeavor to deliver adequate social housing in Cape Town‟s disadvantaged and underdeveloped communities, the study is aimed at ensuring that National Housing Code as set by Department of Human Settlement concerning the overall resultant quality of houses constructed is adhered to. There are several studies on resultant quality and quality assurance of low-cost houses (LCH) in the entire country, of which skill inadequacy has been highlighted as the major concern. This is because of the sluggish improvement in quality of the low-cost houses constructed. However, skill inadequacy of construction workers has been reported in developed and developing countries, and consequently poorly impacts on the delivery of low-cost house construction projects. The human resource (labour) is the significant tool to adequate use of materials and plant for the achievement of the project objectives. The study identified six objectives directed towards establishing an instrument that will ensure appropriate application of quality assurance systems in the delivery of low-cost house construction, hence improving the resultant quality of low-cost houses being constructed. The first objective identifies the existence, prevalence and depth of the poor resultant quality in low-cost housing areas; the second objective identifies the quality assurance systems in current use in construction of low-cost housing; the third objective evaluates the extent to which the existing quality assurance systems used assist in current low-cost housing construction; the fourth objective evaluates the effectiveness of quality assurance systems in current use; and fifth objective determines whether the poor resultant quality is the consequence of poor application of the system or the lack of knowledge from the professionals involved. Finally, the last objective is to establish the mechanism to ensure the effective use of quality assurance systems in the construction of low-cost houses. The research adopted a mixed methodological approach, with a use of quantitative questionnaires completed by beneficiaries and structured qualitative interviews conducted with the building inspectors, contractor and designer. The research questionnaires were designed to understand the perceptions of beneficiaries on the day to day structural performance of their houses. The structured interviews were designed to understand the knowledge of building inspectors, the contractor and the designer about the quality assurance systems and their applications in the delivery of low-cost houses, In the main study, one hundred (100) questionnaires were administered and hand- delivered to all three areas identified as Delft, Khayelitsha and Langa. Seventy three (73) questionnaires (73%) were duly completed, returned and analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. The key findings included the use of unskilled workmanship, limited knowledge of quality assurance systems by the building inspector, contractor and designer, and inappropriate procurement systems as well as benchmarking used. This thesis is both theoretical and practical research and is limited to books relevant to quality assurance and quality of low-cost houses and data retrieved from interviews and questionnaire surveys. The selection criteria for inspectors should incorporate skill in quality assurance. The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) criteria for appointment of contractors to carry on works should not be just a saying but also be put into practice. It should also at least refer to three previous completed projects to ensure the profile of the contractor is in accordance with the statutory requirements of NHBRC.

No presente estudo tem-se o objetivo de analisar a efetiva implantação de um produto de Assistência à Saúde como estratégia empresarial, em suas diversas etapas de execução. A compreensão das dificuldades e dos desafios na implantação de uma estratégia empresarial é o ponto de partida desta pesquisa. Separadas conceitualmente, estratégia e execução são, em verdade, etapas de igual importância que merecem uma visão conjunta. A execução efetiva, entretanto, de uma estratégia, carrega em si uma complexidade de tarefas e uma quantidade de fatores. Também as novas demandas criadas pelo mercado de baixa renda desafiam as organizações, propiciando o lançamento de novos produtos destinados a um novo tipo de consumidor. O desafio de tornar a organização um ofertante ful-line no mercado de saúde suplementar, agregando ao seu portfólio um produto para as classes emergentes, constituiu o cenário e as proposições estratégicas que deveriam ser implementadas como importante decisão da Unimed Porto Alegre. Em relação ao método, adotou-se a pesquisa-ação, em um conceito de pleno envolvimento do pesquisador nas ações desenvolvidas. A execução da estratégia na implantação de um produto de assistência à saúde para o mercado de baixa renda abrangeu o período de 2008 a 2011. Analisaram-se as diversas etapas na implantação do produto e foram considerados os indicadores de desempenho empresarial e mercadológicos, consolidando-se a busca dos objetivos estratégicos propostos. O conjunto de evidências apresentadas consolidou o êxito na execução e nos resultados obtidos. O estudo se justifica por analisar, na prática, o desafiador conjunto de fatores no desenvolvimento de produtos para o público de baixa renda e a dedicação necessária à execução exitosa de uma estratégia empresarial. / Understanding the difficulties and challenges in the implementation of an effective business strategy is the starting point of this research. Conceptually separate, strategy and execution are in fact equally important steps that deserve a joint vision. The effective execution from a strategy carries with it a complexity of tasks and a number of factors that can frustrate even a brilliant design. Also the new demands created by the low-income market challenge organizations providing opportunities to launch new products for a new type of consumer. The challenge of making the organization a bidder ful-line health supplement on the market, adding to its portfolio a product for emerging classes constituted the scenario and strategic propositions that should be implemented as an important decision from Unimed Porto Alegre. Thus this dissertation was developed as a method of study and action research, within the concept of full involvement of the researcher in the actions developed. Strategy execution in deploying a product of health care for low-income market studies the period from 2008 to 2011. The study analyzed the different stages in product deployment. Business performance indicators and market were considered, consolidating the pursuit of strategic objectives proposed. The body of evidence presented consolidates the successful implementation and results. The study is justified by analyzing, in practice, challenging set of factors in the development of products for the low-income public and the dedication needed to run a successful business strategy.

No presente estudo tem-se o objetivo de analisar a efetiva implantação de um produto de Assistência à Saúde como estratégia empresarial, em suas diversas etapas de execução. A compreensão das dificuldades e dos desafios na implantação de uma estratégia empresarial é o ponto de partida desta pesquisa. Separadas conceitualmente, estratégia e execução são, em verdade, etapas de igual importância que merecem uma visão conjunta. A execução efetiva, entretanto, de uma estratégia, carrega em si uma complexidade de tarefas e uma quantidade de fatores. Também as novas demandas criadas pelo mercado de baixa renda desafiam as organizações, propiciando o lançamento de novos produtos destinados a um novo tipo de consumidor. O desafio de tornar a organização um ofertante ful-line no mercado de saúde suplementar, agregando ao seu portfólio um produto para as classes emergentes, constituiu o cenário e as proposições estratégicas que deveriam ser implementadas como importante decisão da Unimed Porto Alegre. Em relação ao método, adotou-se a pesquisa-ação, em um conceito de pleno envolvimento do pesquisador nas ações desenvolvidas. A execução da estratégia na implantação de um produto de assistência à saúde para o mercado de baixa renda abrangeu o período de 2008 a 2011. Analisaram-se as diversas etapas na implantação do produto e foram considerados os indicadores de desempenho empresarial e mercadológicos, consolidando-se a busca dos objetivos estratégicos propostos. O conjunto de evidências apresentadas consolidou o êxito na execução e nos resultados obtidos. O estudo se justifica por analisar, na prática, o desafiador conjunto de fatores no desenvolvimento de produtos para o público de baixa renda e a dedicação necessária à execução exitosa de uma estratégia empresarial. / Understanding the difficulties and challenges in the implementation of an effective business strategy is the starting point of this research. Conceptually separate, strategy and execution are in fact equally important steps that deserve a joint vision. The effective execution from a strategy carries with it a complexity of tasks and a number of factors that can frustrate even a brilliant design. Also the new demands created by the low-income market challenge organizations providing opportunities to launch new products for a new type of consumer. The challenge of making the organization a bidder ful-line health supplement on the market, adding to its portfolio a product for emerging classes constituted the scenario and strategic propositions that should be implemented as an important decision from Unimed Porto Alegre. Thus this dissertation was developed as a method of study and action research, within the concept of full involvement of the researcher in the actions developed. Strategy execution in deploying a product of health care for low-income market studies the period from 2008 to 2011. The study analyzed the different stages in product deployment. Business performance indicators and market were considered, consolidating the pursuit of strategic objectives proposed. The body of evidence presented consolidates the successful implementation and results. The study is justified by analyzing, in practice, challenging set of factors in the development of products for the low-income public and the dedication needed to run a successful business strategy.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to document seven selected sets of minimum housing design standards in two specific case locations, New Delhi and Madras, in India, and to evaluate criteria used for establishing these standards. A model of selected criteria from the different frameworks was then developed as part of an overall housing strategy. An integrated concept of housing as an environment, need, process and product was used as the basis of this study which was documented through review of literature and field research in India. The minimum standards were broadly classified as minimum space requirements, recommended building materials and general subdivision requirements. variations and ranges across the sets of standards were then tabulated to indicate the multiplicity of recommendati0ns, an initial premise of this study. Implications, based on broad premises, for future strategies in this field were developed. These suggestions were grouped into three clusters, namely, access to shelter by the abjectly poor, access to shelter by the low income groups in general and the restructuring of extant institutional and implementation frameworks. / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1965 B26 / Master of Science

Thesis (MA (Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Within the medical models, postpartum depression is constructed as a mental illness, that women are predisposed to during the postpartum period because of the biological and physiological changes that occur before, during and after childbirth. The present study aimed to determine whether childbirth increases the risk of developing depressive symptomatology in the first six months after delivery. The objective of the study was to examine the concept of postpartum depression by analyzing the difference in depressive symptom rates between 41 postpartum women and 254 male and female (who had not given birth in the previous six months) community members residing in a semi-rural area of South Africa. This objective was reached by using a cross-sectional survey research design. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to elicit the quantitative data. Several independent t-tests were conducted to determine the following (i) whether low-income women three months postpartum had higher BDI scores in comparison to a combined gendered community sample, and (ii) whether low-income women six months postpartum had higher BDI scores in comparison to a combined gendered community sample. The results indicated that the postpartum women did not experience elevated rates of depressive symptoms at three months or at six months in comparison to the community sample. Men in the 2003 community sample displayed significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms than the sixmonth postpartum women. These findings do not support the assumption that childbirth predisposes women to psychological vulnerability during the postpartum period.