Thesis (D. Litt. (Linguistics))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

In Libya, rural-urban migration and rapid population growth were intensified by the discovery of oil and brought the polarization by the big cities. This polarization has become a major issue of problems within the urban spatial planning, particularly in the case of Tripoli and Benghazi. In order to resolve these, the Libyan government had since attempted various efforts to alleviate these urban pressures through both indirect national policies and explicit spatial development strategies. The aim of the study is therefore to produce a critical evaluation of Libyan spatial policies by the government between 1970s and 2006 and to offer insights into how Libya could benefit from a balanced urban system. Both secondary and primary data were explored. This research has identified some merits of a number of spatial policies by the government as well as some major issues and weaknesses of these polices. Although government policies did have some effects in reducing the polarization by the two large cities, the issue of over dominance and the consequent urban problems still largely remained the same.

This thesis discusses the governmental institutional dynamics that structure the formulation and coordination of spatial policy within the federal Canadian intergovernmental system and presents methods to improve it. The research utilises the three traditions of new institutionalism - historical, rational choice and sociological - to develop a crosscutting assessment of intergovernmental spatial policy coordination. An embedded case study approach is then used to discuss intergovernmental spatial policy coordination between the governments of Canada, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Research findings highlight the uniqueness of the institutional environments that exist within each government, and to a lesser extent each department, which structure policymakers’ understandings of intergovernmental spatial policy coordination. Policymakers demonstrate a distinct awareness of spatial issues, but they are often constrained in their ability formally to articulate this in the development of public policy, particularly in relation to intergovernmental interactions. The decentralised federal nature of Canada is shown to be a highly influential reason for this, with issues of history, equity, politics and strong regional government cultures playing important roles in impeding intergovernmental spatial policy coordination. The thesis explores these constraints, discussing how both formal and informal institutional structures interact to discourage the use of spatial policy, and discusses the ways in which intergovernmental spatial policy coordination could be enhanced in the specific context of Canada. The institutional framework developed in this research is shown to be a useful method for conceptualising the competing federal principles of unity and diversity in the study of intergovernmental spatial policy coordination. Ultimately this thesis argues that while intergovernmental spatial policy coordination is poorly developed in Canada, policymaker awareness of spatial issues influences the decision-making processes employed to develop and coordinate public policy.

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Nebraska--Lincoln 1980. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 404-423).

No description available.

This thesis is a participant observer case study that examined how three primary intervening variables (resources, trust, and risk communication) influenced the amplification and attenuation of perceived risk during a regulatory permitting process. The objective was to better understand the role of risk perception in a water policy decision, the issuance of a permit by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the Waco Metropolitan Regional Sewerage System permitting them to discharge 1.5 million gallons of waste water effluent a day into Bull Hide Creek. The study took place between March 2008 and October 2009. The plant, designed to serve the sewer needs of distant cities, was planned without the participation of the residents of the creek community. After being notified of the permit application, they organized to protest the issuance of the permit which they felt presented a serious risk to their community. It is the conclusion of this researcher that risk perception played a key role delaying the issuance of the permit and construction of the plant. When perceived risk attenuated to a mutually acceptable level for all stakeholders, the permit was issued. It is postulated that if risk perception is recognized as a significant factor in potentially controversial urban and regional planning and policy decisions, implementation may be less difficult. The validity of this conclusion is constrained due to the fact this was a single case study and generalization is limited.

The mobile data market in South Africa is predicted to be a significant revenue contributor for mobile telecommunication operators, such as MTN, over the next five years. In light of the declining revenue from the traditional voice services, most operators worldwide are turning to mobile data as the solution to this problem. However, there is widespread confusion on which is the correct business model to implement in order to maximise the gains from this new market. To add to the complexity, there is also no clear cut technology upgrade path. While it is well understood that the main driver for the mobile data market will be high data throughputs, the industry is still unsure on which is the best route for an operator to follow as it moves from a second generation (2G)to a third generation (3G) network. This dissertation discusses the business model that MTN should implement in order to become the market leader for mobile data in South Africa. A literature survey on the latest market characteristics and forecast for the mobile data industry is presented. The recent developments on mobile data business models is also discussed. The technology upgrades, i.e. GPRS, EDGE and UMTS, available to a mobile telecommunication operator is described in detail. GPRS is the first stage in the evolution from a 2G to a 3G network and offers data rates of 40 Kb/s. EDGE improves on the GPRS technology with data speeds of 59.2 Kb/s per timeslot and utilise the same frequency, radio and switching equipment. UMTS is the final stage and is capable of delivering 2 Mb/s data rates. It operates on a different frequency spectrum, thus, requiring a new licence from the telecommunications regulator. In order to develop a new business model, MTN's current GPRS model is analysed. The poor success rate of this model can be attributed to the high prices being charged for the services and the lack of any "killer applications" to entice the users. The business model focuses on the customer value of service, organisational, technical and pricing models. For the customer value of service, it is shown that MTN must offer cheaper prices for the services, higher data rates and more exciting applications. The pre-paid subscribers should also be allowed access to the mobile data network. The main changes to the organisational arrangement in MTN includes creating sub-departments in marketing, sales and network group to focus solely on mobile data. MTN must develop an integrated services approach and this can only be achieved by developing partnerships with all key players in the mobile data industry, such as content providers and application developers. Due to the high costs, the technology arrangement section proposes that MTN first upgrade the network to be EDGE capable and later implement a UMTS network. The financial arrangement discusses the revenue, pricing and cost model. The revenue model proposes the development of an exciting and attractive mobile portal. New services and applications such as mobile gaming and gambling must be created for the personal consumers. For the corporate consumers, applications and services must be developed for customer relation management, supply chain management and workforce application. A hybrid pricing model must be adopted. A fixed, metered and value based pricing structure should be implemented to make the services more affordable and to gain the maximum revenues. Finally, the various elements that constitute the cost model is examined. The major contributing costs for the operator will be the network upgrade and subscriber acquisition. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

This study on IT strategy was conducted at the National Ports Authority of South Africa. Firstly literature review was undertaken in the field of Business Strategy and to a larger extent on IT strategy. This culminated in a model that could be used to benchmark against the IT strategy being used at the National Ports Authority of South Africa. Due consideration was also given to the implementation of strategy in the literature review which could be compared with the implementation of strategy at the National Ports Authority of South Africa. The company situation was thereafter presented and discussed in context with what was covered in the literature review. An impact study of the IT strategy on the business processes at the National Ports Authority was also conducted. Interviews were conducted to determine what was working well and also what was not working well at the National Ports Authority of South Africa. Finally recommendations were provided to the National Ports Authority of South Africa on how to improve the business processes and the strategy formulation process. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.