In this paper we study the behavior of boundedly rational agents in a two good economy where trading is costly with respect to time. All individuals have a fixed time budget and may spend time for the production of good one, the production of good two and trading. They update their strategies, which determine their time allocation, according to a simple imitation type learning rule with noise. In a setup with two different type of agents with different production technologies we show by the means of simulations that both direct trade and trade via mediators who specialize in trading can emerge. We can also observe the transition from a pure production economy via direct trade to an economy with mediated trade. (author's abstract) / Series: Report Series SFB "Adaptive Information Systems and Modelling in Economics and Management Science"

This study scrutinizes the trajectory of an international development communication intervention aimed at mediating, rendering public and mobilizing processes of reconnection among estranged citizens across the former Yugoslavia. The intervention, which took place between 2000 and 2005 in the wider context of post-conflict international development assistance and peacebuilding operations in the region, was known as the Videoletters project. Centered on a documentary TV series aimed at promoting the reestablishment of relationships among ordinary people affected by ethno-political divisions, Videoletters was adopted by European bilateral funders for large-scale implementation and categorized as a “tool for reconciliation”. Starting from an understanding of communication as a right to which citizens are entitled, as a responsibility of practitioners and institutions, and as a capability that is socially distributed in unequal ways and has an ambiguous potential, the study looks into the contextualized potential and limitations of international development communication intervention to attend to the citizens that it is supposed to benefit. By providing rich empirical details about a process of intervention, the study argues in concrete terms for the study of development communication not as a presumably positive tool, but as an institutionally driven practice that may or may not strengthen conditions of justice, with consequences that will differ depending on the specificity of sociopolitical situations in time and space. Depending on contextual and institutional conditions and on the forms of mediation privileged/disregarded throughout the process, the deployment of a specific development communication intervention may/may not foster proper distance, and thus strengthen/weaken conditions of justice for the citizens under consideration, who are subject to the governance structure of international development assistance. By linking the practice of international development communication to a framework of justice, the study brings the political and ethical dimensions of said practice to the fore and contributes to a critical agenda for theorization and research that takes accountability into consideration and puts citizens at the center.

This study investigated whether attendance at the Children Cope With Divorce program for divorcing parents was associated with differences in the litigation behavior of the parents consistent with a lowered level of conflict between the parties. 130 cases from Morgan County, Indiana, in which the parents attended the program were randomly selected and compared with 130 cases from the same county in which the parents did not attend the program. As a control, 130 cases from before, and 130 cases from after the date on which program attendance became a requirement in Morgan County, were randomly selected from Tipton County, Indiana, where divorcing parents do not attend a program.Measures of mean time in litigation (MTL) and of the numbers of 4 types of court petition were obtained for each of the 4 groups from court records. Four hypotheses predicting an association between program attendance and shorter MTLs and lower mean numbers of court petitions filed were tested. Hypotheses One and Two were tested by one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Hypothesis Three was tested by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Hypothesis Four was tested by 2 X 2 multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). All test results were nonsignificant. None of the hypotheses was supported.Possible reasons for the nonsignificant results are presented, as are limitations of the design and methodology. Other possible dependent variables which might be measured are described. The importance of collecting demographic data is mentioned. Limitations of the program studied in this project are discussed at length. In the absence of clear evidence of the effectiveness of any type of such program for divorcing parents, the courts must weigh the possible value of such a program against its cost. However, given our present state of knowledge about such programs, sponsors should select a program which presents a broad range of information. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

In the light of the nature of the construction industry and the fact that it is often burdened with disputes arising from the contract, appropriate and unique alternative dispute resolution procedures are indispensable for disputes to be resolved quickly, efficiently and effectively. Section 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 provides for the right to have disputes resolved by means of a public hearing before a court, alternatively, where appropriate, by means of an independent, impartial forum. Arbitration, mediation, conciliation and adjudication, to name but a few, are alternative methods used in resolving South African construction disputes. Some of these alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods are provided for in the Construction Industry Development Board recommended standard contracts. This study entails an analysis of the ADR methods in construction agreements with specific reference to the General Conditions of Contract for Construction Works 2010 (GCC 2010) and a comparison thereof with the English position. The application of the recommended ADR methods in the South African construction industry, especially adjudication, faces many challenges. There is no certainty as to the definition nor the procedure to be followed in the use thereof. The study concluded that there is a definite need for the contract to be reviewed, in particular the dispute resolution clause. The introduction of on- line dispute resolution was also recommended. This will contribute towards efficient, effective and expedient dispute resolution that is required due to the nature and role of the construction industry in a country‟s economy. There is also a definite need for legislation to be implemented which will assist in clarifying as well as regulating the adjudication procedure as used in the South African construction industry. / Thesis (LLM)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

In the light of the nature of the construction industry and the fact that it is often burdened with disputes arising from the contract, appropriate and unique alternative dispute resolution procedures are indispensable for disputes to be resolved quickly, efficiently and effectively. Section 34 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 provides for the right to have disputes resolved by means of a public hearing before a court, alternatively, where appropriate, by means of an independent, impartial forum. Arbitration, mediation, conciliation and adjudication, to name but a few, are alternative methods used in resolving South African construction disputes. Some of these alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods are provided for in the Construction Industry Development Board recommended standard contracts. This study entails an analysis of the ADR methods in construction agreements with specific reference to the General Conditions of Contract for Construction Works 2010 (GCC 2010) and a comparison thereof with the English position. The application of the recommended ADR methods in the South African construction industry, especially adjudication, faces many challenges. There is no certainty as to the definition nor the procedure to be followed in the use thereof. The study concluded that there is a definite need for the contract to be reviewed, in particular the dispute resolution clause. The introduction of on- line dispute resolution was also recommended. This will contribute towards efficient, effective and expedient dispute resolution that is required due to the nature and role of the construction industry in a country‟s economy. There is also a definite need for legislation to be implemented which will assist in clarifying as well as regulating the adjudication procedure as used in the South African construction industry. / Thesis (LLM)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of visually impaired learners and their teachers regarding the extent to which the teaching and learning needs of learners with visual impairment are addressed in inclusive classrooms. The first phase of the study was characterized by a literature review. A literature review was undertaken to elucidate the concept visual impairment and to highlight the magnitude of visual impairment in South Africa. Attention was also paid to the place of visual impairment in the context of an inclusive education and training system. Furthermore, the literature study explored the characteristics and causes of visual impairment, provided insight into the curricular considerations that underpin the teaching, learning and assessment of visually impaired learners and highlighted the problematic nature of language development, cognitive development, social development and self-esteem development among learners with visual impairment. The second phase of the study comprised empirical research. Within a positivist framework, quantitative research by means of non-experimental descriptive survey research was undertaken to collect data in order to determine to what extent the teaching and learning needs of visually impaired learners are accommodated in inclusive classrooms. This was achieved by administering a closed questionnaire to a purposively selected sample of teachers (n = 80) and learners (n = 92) from the Fezile Dabi District in the Free State Department of Education to determine their perceptions regarding the characteristics of classroom teaching, learning and assessment for visually impaired learners. In addition to this, the questionnaire administered to the teachers also set out to determine whether the teachers possess adequate knowledge to identify learners with visual impairments in their classrooms. The data analysis revealed that general teaching and learning needs of visually impaired learners are addressed to a certain extent, but developmental needs related to language, cognitive, social and self-esteem development, appear to be underemphasized. In this regard, the benefits of a mediated learning approach in the context of teaching visually impaired learners was investigated and utilized in the design of learning activity examples that could be included in a curriculum-based teaching and learning programme for Grade 7 Natural Sciences classrooms. In the absence of curriculum-based teaching and learning programmes that address the language, cognitive, social and self-esteem development of visually impaired learners in inclusive classrooms, this research makes a distinct contribution. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Learning and Teaching))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

In order to stay competitive in an economic landscape characterised by constant turmoil and change, organisations in the chemical industry are engaging in various adaptive strategies like mergers, acquisitions and diversification. Adaptation strategies may vary but they all have similar results in common, one of which is the exposure of employees to feelings of uncertainty and job insecurity. Identifying factors that enable employees to effectively deal with job insecurity is becoming an increasingly important topic for research. The primary objectives of this research were to investigate the relationship between job insecurity, general health and organisational citizenship behaviour of employees in a chemical industry, as well as to determine whether self-efficacy mediates the relationship between job insecurity and general health on the one hand and between job insecurity and organisational citizenship behaviour on the other hand. The research method consists of a literature review and an empirical study. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect the data. An availability sample (N = 205) was taken from employees in a chemical industry. The Job Insecurity Questionnaire (JIQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Organisational Citizenship Behaviour Scale (OCB), General Perceived Self-Efficacy Scale (GPSES) and a biographical questionnaire were administered. The statistical analysis was carried out with the SPSS program. Principal component factor analysis confirmed a two factor structure for job insecurity consisting of affective job insecurity and cognitive job insecurity. Factor analysis resulted in three factors for general health, namely psychosomatic symptoms, severe depression and social dysfunction. The two factors of the OCB were confIrmed and were labeled altruism and compliance. The unidimensional structure of the GPSES could also be confirmed and was labeled self-efficacy. All scales indicated acceptable reliability with Cronbach alpha coefficients varying from 0,70 to 0,89. Spearman product-moment correlations indicated a statistically positive correlation (practically significant, medium effect) between cognitive job insecurity and affective job insecurity. Results further indicated that an increase in psychosomatic symptoms will lead to an increase in severe depression and social dysfunction, while an increase in severe depression will be associated with an increase in social dysfunction. It was found that when altruism increased, self-efficacy will also increase. The hypothesised mediating effect of self-efficacy was only partially demonstrated for the relationship between affective job insecurity and general health, as demonstrated by severe depression. Self-efficacy was further shown to mediate the relationship between cognitive job insecurity and altruism. The relationship between cognitive job insecurity and affective job insecurity as dependent variables and compliance as an independent variable were partially mediated by self-efficacy. MANOVA analysis indicated that female employees experienced higher levels of cognitive job insecurity than male employees. White employees and employees with a degree exhibited more organisational citizenship behaviour, as demonstrated by compliance. Results further indicated that African employees and employees with a qualification of up to Grade 11 experienced higher levels of severe depression. Recommendations for future research were made, as well as recommendations to the participating organisation. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of visually impaired learners and their teachers regarding the extent to which the teaching and learning needs of learners with visual impairment are addressed in inclusive classrooms. The first phase of the study was characterized by a literature review. A literature review was undertaken to elucidate the concept visual impairment and to highlight the magnitude of visual impairment in South Africa. Attention was also paid to the place of visual impairment in the context of an inclusive education and training system. Furthermore, the literature study explored the characteristics and causes of visual impairment, provided insight into the curricular considerations that underpin the teaching, learning and assessment of visually impaired learners and highlighted the problematic nature of language development, cognitive development, social development and self-esteem development among learners with visual impairment. The second phase of the study comprised empirical research. Within a positivist framework, quantitative research by means of non-experimental descriptive survey research was undertaken to collect data in order to determine to what extent the teaching and learning needs of visually impaired learners are accommodated in inclusive classrooms. This was achieved by administering a closed questionnaire to a purposively selected sample of teachers (n = 80) and learners (n = 92) from the Fezile Dabi District in the Free State Department of Education to determine their perceptions regarding the characteristics of classroom teaching, learning and assessment for visually impaired learners. In addition to this, the questionnaire administered to the teachers also set out to determine whether the teachers possess adequate knowledge to identify learners with visual impairments in their classrooms. The data analysis revealed that general teaching and learning needs of visually impaired learners are addressed to a certain extent, but developmental needs related to language, cognitive, social and self-esteem development, appear to be underemphasized. In this regard, the benefits of a mediated learning approach in the context of teaching visually impaired learners was investigated and utilized in the design of learning activity examples that could be included in a curriculum-based teaching and learning programme for Grade 7 Natural Sciences classrooms. In the absence of curriculum-based teaching and learning programmes that address the language, cognitive, social and self-esteem development of visually impaired learners in inclusive classrooms, this research makes a distinct contribution. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Learning and Teaching))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

Longer breastfeeding durations may enhance cognition and accelerate motor development; motor development, and in particular, crawling, may lead to dramatic changes in cognition. Based on these empirical relations, the hypothesis that crawling mediates breastfeeding duration and cognitive outcome was tested. Specifically, it was hypothesized that longer breastfeeding durations would significantly predict both earlier crawling and higher cognitive scores at 2 years of age, that earlier crawling would also predict higher cognitive scores, and that earlier crawling would account for part of the relationship between longer breastfeeding durations and higher cognitive scores. A sample of 44 full term infants from Winnipeg, Manitoba was followed longitudinally between birth and 2 years of age. Data on breastfeeding duration and crawling were collected through daily parent checklists, with supplemental breastfeeding information obtained via questionnaires. Near the toddlers’ 2nd birthdays, cognitive abilities were assessed with the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory: Words and Sentences (Fenson et al., 1993) and the Parent Report of Children’s Abilities (Saudino et al., 1998). All 3 key variables were measured on continuous scales, and a mediational analysis based on Baron and Kenny’s (1986) classic approach of 3 regressions was used. Several covariates were considered for inclusion in the regressions, but none reached significance in preliminary tests and thus, were not included. In the first 2 regression analyses, exclusive and partial breastfeeding durations significantly predicted neither cognitive scores (p = .59) nor age of crawling attainment (p = .41). The 3rd regression analysis showed a significant, small-to-medium effect size for earlier crawling attainment predicting higher cognitive scores (p < .05, adjusted R2 = .09). However, crawling onset had no effect on the breastfeeding-cognition link. The overall test of the mediation was inconclusive, due to low power. The significant finding between age of crawling onset and cognitive outcomes at 2 years of age may be due to earlier crawling altering the course of development, to reverse causation whereby more cognitively advanced infants are motivated to crawl sooner, or to a 3rd variable affecting both crawling and cognition. Future research should continue to explore motor and cognitive connections in infant development.

This thesis examines case studies and historical accounts taken from different periods of the history of recording technology, and addresses questions concerning the impact of mediatization, manipulation, and mediation on listeners' and performers' approaches to music. The project considers the development of the idea of "copies without originals," and of the ideological frameworks that have been used to describe and classify recorded sound. The first case study covers the early days of the phonograph and its development in Victorian society, then contrasts the values and motivations of those early years with modern-day rock performance and its own value systems. Moving into the mid-twentieth century, a chapter of this thesis is devoted to the work of Glenn Gould, and the possibilities for tape manipulation that the Canadian pianist explored during the period of his career that was focused on the recording studio. Lastly, this project examines the innovative, user-driven methods of music-making that are gaining momentum today, including Bjork's "Biophilia" app album, and the emergence of a new genre of popular music in Asia that uses vocal synthesizers in place of live performers. By exploring these case studies alongside the works of scholars in musicology, media studies, sound theory, film and television, and popular music studies, this thesis demonstrates how cultural need, individual innovation, and social involvement interact to direct the development and application of emerging media technologies.