Demand responsive transport services are nowadays an established and recognized way to provide better social inclusion to non-urban, low population density areas. The concept has its origins in the 70´s in the USA, but just recently the advances in technology made this type of service more economically attractive. Therefore is of no surprise that this kind of transportation is starting to be a serious option in several regions across Europe. The European Commission has been promoting projects to study and implement DRT services. One of these projects, MASCARA (deMand responsive trAnsport service for increasing Social Cohesion in urbAn/Rural Areas), involved a team from the Engineering School of the University of Porto, with the participation of the author. The MASCARA project was designed to promote the cooperation between several regions in Europe to share knowledge about DRT services, evaluating DRT pilots and DRT feasibility studies. This dissertation focus on the design of a framework to help this evaluation. The work resulted in combining two known multi-criteria methodologies, namely AHP and TOPSIS. Albeit these methods were designed to help choosing (ranking) between two or more possible scenarios, the proposed framework is able to evaluate and score one scenario situations. This work can be viewed as having two parts: the first one (from chapter 1 to chapter 4) deals with the design of the framework and methodology. From chapter 5 onwards the practical application is adressed. The author work was focused on the design and software implementation of the evaluation framework.

Thesis (M. Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / Rural areas of South Africa are characterised by high levels of unemployment and poverty resulting from lack of economic infrastructure. This led to the initiation of the Comprehensive Rural Development (CRDP) in 2009 to address poverty and lack of development in rural areas. Infrastructure provision to rural communities was identified as one of the main priorities of government. It was piloted in Muyexe village of Limpopo Province due to its lack of basic infrastructural services. This study was undertaken to investigate the impact made to cooperatives through the utilization of the infrastructures in terms of income generation and poverty alleviation. It also aimed at determining how sustainable the programme will be in the long-term. The key research questions asked were to determine if infrastructure provision could contribute to poverty alleviation and to determine how sustainable such programmes may be. Again, the study had to evaluate how the programme was implemented, to identify challenges faced and the gaps. It also recommends the solutions for future implementation of the programme. The study used a quantitative survey questionnaire which was administered to 30 beneficiaries of the projects. The findings of the study revealed that infrastructure for farming, brick laying, arts and craft and cosmetics manufacturing were provided to the cooperatives depending on their needs. The infrastructure provision programme contributed to improving the working conditions of the cooperatives but the impact made in terms of job creation, income generation, improving livelihoods and poverty alleviation is limited to a number of households. The programme had loopholes during its implementation due to lack of integration between the spheres of government and also lack of proper consultation. Cooperatives are still faced with a high challenge of lack of infrastructure because the infrastructure supplied was insufficient. The study recommends that proper consultation must be done to ensure that there is maximum participation by all concerned stake holders including the community. Effective mechanisms for training, supervision and designing of monitoring tools must also be done. Due to time, a larger sample could not be done and future research needs to be undertaken on a lager sample and also on the management of infrastructure provided to ensure that there is accountability amongst cooperatives.

Thesis (M.Dev.) -- University of Limpopo, 2017 / Rural areas of South Africa are characterised by high levels of unemployment and poverty resulting from lack of economic infrastructure. This led to the initiation of the Comprehensive Rural Development (CRDP) in 2009 to address poverty and lack of development in rural areas. Infrastructure provision to rural communities was identified as one of the main priorities of government. It was piloted in Muyexe village of Limpopo Province due to its lack of basic infrastructural services. This study was undertaken to investigate the impact made to cooperatives through the utilization of the infrastructures in terms of income generation and poverty alleviation. It also aimed at determining how sustainable the programme will be in the long-term. The key research questions asked were to determine if infrastructure provision could contribute to poverty alleviation and to determine how sustainable such programmes may be. Again, the study had to evaluate how the programme was implemented, to identify challenges faced and the gaps. It also recommends the solutions for future implementation of the programme. The study used a quantitative survey questionnaire which was administered to 30 beneficiaries of the projects. The findings of the study revealed that infrastructure for farming, brick laying, arts and craft and cosmetics manufacturing were provided to the cooperatives depending on their needs. The infrastructure provision programme contributed to improving the working conditions of the cooperatives but the impact made in terms of job creation, income generation, improving livelihoods and poverty alleviation is limited to a number of households. The programme had loopholes during its implementation due to lack of integration between the spheres of government and also lack of proper consultation. Cooperatives are still faced with a high challenge of lack of infrastructure because the infrastructure supplied was insufficient. The study recommends that proper consultation must be done to ensure that there is maximum participation by all concerned stake holders including the community. Effective mechanisms for training, supervision and designing of monitoring tools must also be done. Due to time, a larger sample could not be done and future research needs to be undertaken on a lager sample and also on the management of infrastructure provided to ensure that there is accountability amongst cooperatives.

No description available.

The purpose and aim of this study are to examine how quality control and assurance is performed and how it varies in different regions around the world and strive towards international standardization of quality assurance. The foundation to the idea of this study is a Swedish company, called Runway Safe, working with international affairs regarding a safety solution for airport runways. To complete the study, cultural differences and structural differences in organizations comes to consideration.

[pt] Este trabalho tem como objetivo abordar o modelo de gestão, a interação entre os conceitos de planejamento estratégico, gestão de projetos e portfólio e entender como essa interação ocorre nas empresas do Grupo EBX. Analisa, também, em que medida o gerenciamento reflete o direcionamento traçado no planejamento estratégico de cada empresa. Foram estabelecidas quatro proposições, que segundo a literatura estudada seriam os alicerces para o perfeito desdobramento da estratégia definida e os projetos gerenciados nas organizações: a) uma efetiva execução do planejamento estratégico de uma organização depende da qualidade da própria estratégia formulada; b) a organização deve seguir a estratégia e não o inverso; c) a estratégia deve envolver diretamente as pessoas; e d) a estratégia depende da implementação de iniciativas capazes de transformar a organização para os desafios futuros (melhoria de processos internos). Foram entrevistados oito executivos de diferentes empresas do Grupo EBX durante o primeiro semestre de 2011. A análise do conteúdo das entrevistas possibilitou a conclusão, juntamente com a literatura, da situação do Grupo EBX acerca do tema e de suas práticas de gestão da estratégia dos seus empreendimentos. O resultado da pesquisa sugere algumas ações a serem traçadas. A principal conclusão é a de que, a partir das proposições formuladas, a estratégia não foi efetivamente desdobrada para todos os níveis das empresas, tampouco suportada como deveria, gerando, em alguns casos, um desalinhamento entre os projetos gerenciados e o plano de negócios de cada empreendimento. / [en] This work aims to address management model, the interaction between the concepts of strategic planning, project management and portfolio management and understand how this interaction occurs in the EBX Group organizations. It also analyzes how the management reflects the direction outlined in the strategic planning of each company. Four propositions were established for this paper, which according to the literature studied would be the perfect foundation for the unfolding of the strategy defined and project management in organizations: a) an effective implementation of the strategic planning of an organization depends on the quality of its strategy set, b) the organization should follow the strategy and not the reverse; c) the strategy must involve people directly, and d) the strategy depends on the implementation of initiatives to transform the organization for future challenges (improving internal processes). Interviews were done with eight executives from different companies of the EBX Group, during the first semester of 2011. The content analysis of the interviews allowed the conclusion, together with the literature, the situation of the EBX Group on the subject and its practical management strategy for their enterprises. The survey results suggest some actions to be traced. The main conclusion is that, from the propositions formulated, the strategy has not been effectively deployed to all levels of companies or supported as it should, leading in some cases, a misalignment between the managed projects and business plan of each enterprise.

Thesis (M Dev.)--University of Limpopo, 2006. / Eliminating poverty and deprivation and their negative social effects is a critical challenge facing South Africa today. No political democracy can survive and flourish if the masses of the people remain in poverty, are landless, and do not have tangible materials for a better life. Attacking poverty and deprivation should be a priority of any democratic government (RDP 1994:1, 2, 9). Then South African government like its counterparts in the developing world is being restructured to improve governance and alleviate poverty. Optimal agricultural performance by small-scale farmers for poverty relief, food security, is shown to increase income and employment. Recognizing the contribution of these farmers in agricultural development and helping them improve their farming methods and secure small loans would impact favorably on poverty alleviation in the rural areas. The aim of this study is to determine the role played by rural development projects in poverty alleviation. In addition policy options, consequences and recommendations will be entertained. / Not listed

Thesis (M.Ed.) (Adult Education) --University of Limpopo, 2010. / This report is a description of a research carried out at Hlatlolang ABET Centre, which is located at Makotse village, a rural area in the Limpopo Province. The research was conducted with the aim of investigating the problems affecting sustainability of income-generating projects at Hlatlolang ABET centre. In order to achieve the aim outlined above; I formulated the following main research question: • What are the problems affecting the sustainability of income-generating projects at Hlatlolang ABET centre? I decided to undertake an exploratory and evaluative study in order to answer the question outlined above. I wanted to understand the kinds of problems affecting sustainability of income-generating project at Hlatlolang ABET centre. The intention of this study was to investigate the problems affecting the sustainability of income-generating project at Hlatlolang ABET centre. I investigated the aims and objectives of introducing and incepting the project and how much they achieved as was envisaged. In the introduction and background of my study I tried to outline the factors that might have led to poverty such as delivering of basic services to the people creating jobs and others. To direct this study, I wrote the research questions concerning the sustainability of the income-generating project at Hlatlolang ABET centre at Makotse village. I briefly stated the scope of this study before I concluded the chapter. In chapter 2; I formulated assumptions about factors that could be affecting the sustainability of income-generating project at Hlatlolang ABET centre. After I conducted exploratory interviews with the respondents, the following were identified as possible factors that could be affecting the sustainability of income-generating project at Hlatlolang ABET centre: ignorance, shortage of training/skills to run the project, illiteracy, lack of sense of ownership and lack or insufficient needs analysis done. The definition of key concepts is given. The defined concepts are: sustainability, income-generating projects, poverty, and illiteracy and ABET. Finally I concluded the chapter by outlining what transpired in theoretical framework. In chapter 3, I stated the instruments which I used to collect data from various role players in different phases of data collection. In this chapter there is an explanation of how data collected from different phases was analysed using qualitative data analysis method. In my conclusion I discussed my main learning areas as well as the difficulties that were encountered during the research process. Chapter 4 is about the findings of the study. An overview of where the study takes place, the description of the project and its programmes are clarified. I made an explanation of a link between key concepts and critical factors. These critical factors were identified as possible problematic areas that could be affecting the sustainability of income-generating project Hlatlolang ABET centre. There is a report about the findings made from the critical factors before the chapter could be concluded. In chapter 5; there is an integration of information from the previous chapters where the problems affecting the sustainability of income-generating project at Hlatlolang ABET centre are integrated. This chapter is about the conclusion and recommendations about the problems affecting sustainability of the income-generating project Hlatlolang ABET centre. I concluded the chapter by mentioning issues that need to be further researched particularly the ones that will increase sustainability of the income generating projects for poverty to be eradicated. / Not listed

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2009 / This study focuses on the impact of the community development projects on the livelihoods of the people. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of the community development projects and the livelihood of the community of Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality. The study examines the operations and performance of the community development projects since they started. The objectives of the study are to assess the impact of the community development projects on the livelihood of the beneficiaries and the community in terms of income, jobs and living standards, as well as identify and recommend appropriate intervention strategies where necessary. The finding of the study revealed that the community development projects did have an impact on both job creation and income generation, although the income part of it is not satisfactory. The other findings were the skewed participation where women were dominating. The study reveals that the government and the private sector should play an active role in training the beneficiaries, encourage youth participation in order to ensure sustainability of the projects, and also expose the project members to different technologies available in agriculture to ensure mass productions which will translate into better incomes from the projects.

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / Poverty among communities is not a static condition. There are many factors which contribute to its causes and depth. In South Africa, the economic gaps imposed by the previous apartheid government aggravated economic inequalities and caused considerable disparities, which resulted in the high unemployment rates. This led to a call for pro-active initiatives by post 1994 democratic government to remedy the living condition of the previously disadvantaged people. As part of its poverty relief drive, the South African government has embarked on a series of developmental initiatives to bring services to the poor and to reduce enormous prevailing backlogs, with the aim of increasing community participation and improving the lives of the poor. This study evaluates the egg layers project as a poverty alleviation effort within Blouberg Municipality of the Limpopo Province to respond to the prevailing poverty and underdevelopment among the poor communities. This study revealed from the observations, interviews conducted and questionnaires administrated to sampled beneficiaries of Blouberg Municipality who faces poverty. The study formulated strategies and made recommendations regarding the impact and implementation of the egg layers on poor people.