For business firms to continue as going concerns, productivity is a primary goal. In order for the firms to remain productive, it is imperative that managers continuously explore ways of improving productivity and employee performance. Employee productivity, in particular, is the measurement of performance and competitiveness in any business firm. A competitive advantage enables a business firm to, amongst others, survive financially, expand its operations and grow its market share. Creativity and innovation are fundamental sources of competitive advantage. In order for a business to retain its competitive edge, it must effectively enhance employee productivity, creativity and innovation. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate a creativity model that could contribute to the enhancement of employee productivity. More specifically, the study investigated how employee productivity (the dependent variable) was influenced by the independent variables rewards, a climate conducive for creativity and innovation, employee creativity, self-esteem and performance intent. The sample consisted of 82 blue-collar employees from various manufacturing firms in Port Elizabeth. The empirical results revealed that the firms’ rewards for performance and their climates for creativity and innovation were positively related to the creativity of their employees. The creativity and self-esteem of their employees were positively related to their employees’ performance intentions, while collectively these three variables were positively related to their employees’ productivity. The managerial implications of these and other findings are discussed in the study.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widespread in aquatic systems, they can bioaccumulate in the tissues of aquatic organisms, especially fish as they occupy a position near the top of the aquatic food web. PCBs are among the most toxic substances and have been shown to cause many adverse effects to humans and wildlife. High health risks are associated with populations that follow a diet high in fat content such as fish and shellfish in which PCBs bioaccumulate. Given the importance of industries and the potential health concerns of exposure to PCBs, the lack of information on environmental levels of PCBs in South Africa (SA) is significant and concerning. Less attention has been directed to analysis of PCBs in the South African environments due to high cost and lack of appropriate equipment. This study was the first conducted in order to assess the levels of PCBs in the environment of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (Port Elizabeth). The research was directed at determining the PCB levels in water, sediments, fish and mussels collected in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The sampling sites, North End Lake (NEL) and Port Elizabeth Harbour (PEH) were selected based on their location and the importance of activities taking place in these areas. In total 456 samples of water (dissolved and particulate phases), sediments, mussels and tissues of fish were analysed. Suitable analytical methods were based on the equipment and materials available at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to quantify PCBs in the samples using the internal standard method. Six indicator congeners (PCB nos. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) were chosen because they are mainly present in most PCB mixtures in environmental samples and they are recommended for regular monitoring. These congeners represent about 50% of the total non-dioxin like (NDL) PCBs in food. All these congeners were detected in the samples analysed. The total PCB concentrations in the sediments from the NEL and PEH ranged from 1.60 to 3.06 and from 0.56 to 2.35 ng g-1 dry weight, respectively. The concentrations of total PCBs in Mytilus galloprovincialis ranged from 14.48 to 21.37 ng g-1 wet weight and from 20.84 to 31.34 ng g-1 wet weight in Perna perna. Total PCBs in water ranged from 0.18 to 0.355 ng L-1. The concentrations of total PCBs in the liver, gonads, gills and muscle were 95.69, 57.49, 44.63, 34.14 ng g-1 lipid weight in Cyprinus carpio and 119.73, 59.21, 49.78, 34.63 ng g-1 in Oreochromis mossambicus, respectively. Fish liver was the most contaminated organ due to its high lipid content compared to other parts of fish analysed. The NEL was found to be more contaminated than the PEH. The main potential sources of PCB pollutants in both areas of this study are industrial and municipal discharges. The NEL is surrounded by many industries and serves as a potential pollutant sink due to wastewater and inflow entering into this lake. Four 0.227 kg meals of the edible part of fish (muscle) per month were recommended based on the non-cancer health endpoint and one 0.227 kg meal per month was recommended based on the cancer health endpoint. This research contributed to notify the public and relevant governmental departments on the PCB pollution status of sediments, water and aquatic life in the PEH and NEL.

Dakhil, Ural, & Tewfik (1987) noted that majority of people particularly in the developing world live in poverty and as a result, the acquisition of proper housing is becoming a major problem. Dakhil, Ural, & Tewfik (1987) explained that, after the Second World War, many developing countries gained independence and due to political and economic reasons, population exodus in different parts of the world occurred. This coupled with the ever increase in the population growth has contributed to increasing the housing problems in these part of the world. This problem has led governments, private sector and scholars alike to devote time to searching for mechanisms and policies that would lead to the construction of proper dwellings at a cost that would be within the reach of all concerned especially the poor and needy (Malpass & Murie, 1990). Within South Africa, an example of such policies is the social housing policy. Social housing is a relatively new concept in South Africa (SA) (Du Preez & Sale, 2013). The aim for its development is first, to restructure SA societies in order to address structural, economic, social and spatial dysfunctions and secondly, to improve and contribute to the overall functioning of the housing sector in order to widen the range of housing options available to the poor (Department of Local Government and Housing, DLGH, 2005). The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a Social Housing Project, the Walmer Links Development, as an affordable and quality housing option for low income earners in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan.

The aim of this research is to investigate the factors identified as significant in increasing the retention of medical doctors employed in Port Elizabeth hospital complex (PEHC) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Medical practitioners of PEHC are providing the needed critical clinical services and are believed to be the strength of tertiary health services in the Eastern Cape, providing world class treatment to the public. Recruitment and retention of talented medical practitioners, then, is in the best interests of the Department of Health. Demotivated staffs are more likely to leave their jobs for better opportunities, and therefore efforts must be geared towards retaining them. This research investigates the independent factors identified. They include the management style, risk exposure, the working environment, the work overload, and the benefits associated with retaining of medical practitioners in PEHC. The results of this study revealed that the following factors influence the talent management and retention of doctors in the hospital complex: a management style that appreciates and recognises staff, a risk-free work environment, a flexible and balanced life, a reasonable work load, and the attitude of immediate supervisors. The results of this study will add to the guidelines and retention strategies already in place by the Department of Health, Eastern Cape. The senior management and policy makers could use the recommendations revealed in this study for an efficient human resources policy. However, future research still needs to be done in the area of providing employment for spouses of members of staff especially on the reward system and the recognition of employees in the organization.

The aim of this study is to illustrate how, in the design of costumes, adopting design elements used to produce conceptual fashion can create conceptual costumes that have the ability to express emotions. The play Sounds of South End (2013) contains such qualities; therefore it has been selected to illustrate how the mood and emotional trajectory of a play can be interpreted through symbolism. The play illustrates the life before and after the forced removals during the apartheid (1960s and 1970s), of a fictional family, the Dietrichs, who live in South End, a suburb in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. A focus on the nature of emotional changes experienced by the family has been used to determine the overall mood of the play, leading to a translation of the shifting mood through a collection of conceptual costumes. The final collection was exhibited as an installation artwork that is an interpretation of the altering moods and emotions that occur in the life of the Dietrich family as the play unfolds. The conceptual costumes have been constructed to imbue the narrative of the play with deep meaning by using symbolic elements, such as colour, texture and weight, to suggest the emotional trajectory within the play. The eight costumes portray the interrelated gradual decline and resultant deterioration of human relations experienced by the Dietrichs, from a contented state of harmonious living to a wounded state of despair.

This study investigates the possible effects that construction play (in the forms of guided play and guided play with exploratory talk) using the ‘6 Bricks’ approach has on the development of learners’ visual perception and reasoning abilities. The intervention, which aimed at developing visual perception, required the participating teachers to use the ‘6 Bricks’ approach three times a week over a period of six months. The sub-set of teachers in the intervention group who were also expected to facilitate discussion to promote reasoning abilities were tasked with additional ‘6 Bricks with exploratory talk’ activities once a week spread over ten weeks during the intervention period. The study followed an explanatory sequential mixed-method design with pre-post-testing using comparison and experimental groups to generate both quantitative and qualitative data. The sample included Grade 2 teachers and their learners in five purposively selected schools in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Quantitative data were generated via pre-post-analysis of two tests, namely, the Visual Perceptual Aspects Test (VPAT) and Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) test. Statistically significant improvements were found in the experimental group’s pooled VPAT subtest scores as opposed to only three for the comparison group’s VPAT subtest scores. Statistically significant improvements in mean scores were achieved by some schools in the exploratory talk experimental group for the RCPM test. Qualitative data, obtained from teacher record sheets, researcher’s observations and semi-structured, open-ended teacher interviews were triangulated against the quantitative data. The findings, when considered in light of the literature, suggest that the ‘6 Bricks’ approach can contribute to the development of learners’ visual perception. In the instances when using the ‘6 Bricks’ approach with exploratory talk was implemented successfully, improvements in learners’ reasoning abilities were observed.

This research focuses on using criteria developed with the help of complexity theory to assess development projects, with special reference to a poverty alleviation project. As a test case it specifically addressed MES Port Elizabeth Poverty Alleviation Program. The first objective of the research was to use the principles of complexity theory and sustainable development to help develop a list of criteria for assessing whether or not any poverty alleviation program is worthwhile. These were laid out in terms of four categories: poverty alleviation, general complexity, social complexity and sustainable development. The second objective was to gather together as much information as possible on how the MES Poverty Alleviation Program operates. For this exploratory case study, a document analysis was conducted and the program leader of the MES Program was interviewed in depth. The final objective was to critically assess to what extent the MES Poverty Alleviation Program meets the criteria laid out for a worthwhile project. The results obtained from the analysis indicate that while the MES program makes a significant impact on the lives of participants, it experiences multiple challenges, particularly in relation to social complexity and sustainable development that reduce its effectiveness as a poverty alleviation program. It is concluded that complexity theory provides useful assessment criteria that enables us to identify diverse kinds of weakness within a program. It is recommended that the MES program should try to improve in its specific areas of weakness. Specifically it should redefine its policy on sustainable development, form more partnerships with external local organizations, increase pressure on government for policy change and increase the investment in service units of the project.

The effective application of destination marketing strategies leads to increased business activity within a city. This in turn leads to higher attainment levels of social and economic development. It can therefore be said that destination marketing strategies are an essential factor in the growth and functioning of a city. The objective of destination marketing is the city’s image or identity which in turn is the starting point for developing the city’s brand. Cities require an identity. It is crucial that a city has a unique identity with which visitors, tourists and residents can relate to. Examples of these unique city identities are Los Angeles which is known as the City of Angels and Florence which is known as the City of Lilies. The image of a place influences people’s perceptions and choices when visiting, living and conducting business in a specific city. The city’s image and brand serves as a conduit for city residents to identify with their city. The essence of the brand must be discovered, identified, brought to the surface and not imagined, created or added from the outside through an artificial process. Cities that make use of effective destination marketing strategies have endured a considerable increase in business and leisure activities. Notably, business events are important attractions and drivers for activity in many destinations. Multiple parties designing a brand strategy for a city should thoroughly assess the resources and assets a city possesses. A city branding strategy can enable a city to leverage its ‘tangible and non-tangible assets‟. In order for business tourism to develop in South Africa, it is essential that players within the sector have a thorough understanding of international dynamics in order to capitalise on the opportunities that are provided in South Africa. Nelson Mandela Bay in South Africa is a city with vast potential. The city is ideal as a tourist destination as it is situated along the Sunshine coast of South Africa. It could be said of the city that it is on the threshold of rising eminence in the coming decades. This treatise investigates the approach and success factors for a successful rebranding of Nelson Mandela Bay through business events as part of a destination marketing strategy. The treatise will ascertain which business events residents of the Nelson Mandela Bay would require and support. A survey was conducted among citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay using a questionnaire from which 952 responses were received. The questionnaire measured the respondents’ attitudes to which types of business events they would require and support their feelings on the brand identity of the city as well as the communication medium they would like to receive communication through. The findings of this study indicate that residents of Nelson Mandela Bay are open to the use of business events as the main driver in terms of business event attendance and support. Furthermore, the residents have made it clear they will support exhibitions, conventions and tradeshows. Facebook and local radio are identified as being the preferred communication method for hearing about events.

Retail industry in South Africa is witnessing fast growth in all cities in South Africa. Attracting customers become key to success in the increased industry competition. Keeping customers satisfied has never been more important than currently. Retailers need to know what customer needs and wants are, to be able to provide and constantly satisfy their needs. Growth in the industry is largely influenced by economic conditions. A stable economic environment allows customers to spend more, thereby increasing the value of retail trade sales. In South Africa, there is strong competition between the four major dominant firms in the retail industry, which include Pick n Pay Holdings Limited (30%), Shoprite Holdings Limited (34%), Spar Holdings Limited (24%), and Woolworths Holdings Limited (11%). For the firms to grow in South Africa, they must have a clear understanding of consumers’ needs and wants. Services rendered by retailers are of utmost importance to their level of success and ability to successfully cater for the market’s needs. The main purpose of this study is to investigate customer satisfaction of two retail stores in the Nelson Mandela Bay, namely Summerstrand and Cleary Park Pick n Pay stores. Three independent variables (employee empowerment, technology and customer relations) were identified and were tested against one dependent variable (customer satisfaction). A positivistic paradigm was used to conduct the research. The approach uses the quantitative method of research to establish the causal relationships. A null (Ho) and alternative (Ha) hypotheses were formulated in order to test relationships between variables. A five-point Likert scale enabled primary data to be sourced for 294 customers’ (respondents), who shared their customer satisfaction experience at Pick n Pay stores in the Nelson Mandela Bay. A statistical analysis of quantitative data compromised of three phases. Firstly, the data was subjected to a descriptive analysis to summarise the data. Secondly, reliability (internal consistency) for the research instrument was assessed by means of the Cronbach Alpha Reliability Coefficient. Finally, multiple linear regression analysis were used to test the hypothesis. The empirical findings show that the independent variable positively correlated with the dependent variables. This implies that a positive relationship between employee empowerment, technology, customer relations and customer satisfaction at Pick n Pay stores. Therefore, recommendations given by the researcher focused on all variables that have a relationship with customer satisfaction.

Introduction-Motivation: Living, studying, traveling and working abroad can be an incredible, challenging experience or a nightmare, depending on how you interact with the local culture. Many things bring on culture shock: different food and ways of eating, shops and prices, attitude of people, customs and language problems. It is the strangeness, uneasiness or even fear we experience when we move from our home country and familiar surroundings, to live in a new and different society. Culture shock is now considered to be a natural part of the adjustment to studying abroad (Carmen, 1998:3). Although it can be disconcerting and a little crazy, the shock gradually eases as you begin to understand the new culture. It is useful to realize that often the reactions and perceptions of others towards you - and you towards them - are not personal evaluations, but are based on a clash of cultural values. The more skilled you become in recognizing how and when cultural values and behaviours are likely to come in conflict, the easier it becomes to make adjustments that can help you avoid serious difficulties. This research is aimed at identifying the most common differences between local South African and Chinese culture, and will investigate the experiences of Chinese students at the University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), South Africa, as well as a local Chinese family in order to develop a strategy to minimize culture shock. Research Problem: Chinese students at UPE experience various difficulties in adjusting to local university life. These problems range from practical difficulties regarding transport, accommodation and finances to less easily defined issues related to language and culture. While the “practical” difficulties are often prioritized and solved (or at least alleviated), those relating to culture are not adequately addressed. Chinese students at UPE consequently find it difficult to socialize with local students; they find it difficult to interact during lectures, and they are unsure about forming student-teacher relationships. All of this impedes academic progress, increase worry/fear of failure, and lead to homesickness and ultimately depression. Local Chinese business people have, through trial and error, learnt to adapt to the idiosyncrasies of South African culture (in its diverse forms). This is apparent from interviews which were conducted with a local Chinese businessman and his family who have successfully adapted to the local environment in order to identify the major obstacles to cultural acclimatization, as well as useful strategies, communicational ones among others, that enabled them to adapt.