<p>     Farmers face significant uncertainty, like weather and prices. Micro-economic theory tells us that when facing uncertainty, an agent, or farmer, makes economic decisions based upon their expectations. This primitive is important for agricultural economics. The “classic” agricultural economic problems: acreage allocation, commodity storage, technology adoption, household labor engagement, etc., are all influenced by the expectations of farmers. Despite expectations pervasive inclusion in economic theory and the decades of attention from agricultural economists, we still know relatively little about how farmers form expectations. This Dissertation is aimed at this opportunity.</p> <p>     The first chapter estimates the degree to which information is incorporated in farmland value expectations. Theoretically, an agent’s expectation should represent all available information. However, there are reasons to believe that an agent may not possess all the pertinent information or they may not be able to interpret the information. Macroeconomists have developed two models to explain the degree to which information may not be incorporated into expectations, The Sticky and Noisy Information Models. I use expectations and actual values of Iowa farmland from 1964 to 2021 to estimate the degree to which new information is not reflected in expectations, or exhibit information rigidities. I find that Iowa farmland market participants do experience information rigidities. From a practical standpoint, farmland is farmers’ most important collateral, the presence of public, simple farmland information may help mitigate lending challenges as a result of farmland value expectations.</p> <p>     The second chapter addresses how commodity price information is incorporated into the financial expectations of farmers. I estimate how unknown or surprise information from a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report changes farmers’ attitudes and expectations of their financial conditions. This chapter, synthesizes literature from macroeconomics and commodity price analysis, and uses a unique source of data, the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The Ag Economy Barometer reflects the aggregate sentiment of farmers across the US. Like the consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan, the Ag Economy Barometer can provide a snapshot of sentiment, a measure outside of fundamental economic indicators. Using the corn ending stocks values from the USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), I find that</p> <p>farmers’ short– and long–term expectations and attitudes toward large farm investments are increased by information implying a higher corn price. However, this relationship does not exist in the reverse direction and when corn is not actively growing. As a result, if farmers are acting on these changes in expectations, they may be engaging in suboptimal decision making.</p> <p>     The third and final chapter explores the degree to which previous experience is reflected in expectations. The tales of the financial hardship during 1980’s Farm Financial Crisis have been shared across farmers’ dining room tables for decades. The most prominent anecdote relates to the rapid decline in farmland prices. As mentioned in the first chapter, the asset value of farmland is important to farmers. As a result, if experiences like the 1980’s Farm Financial Crisis have created a downward bias toward farmland values, the asset may be undervalued and frictions may exist in the farmland lending market. Macroeconomists show that consumers’ inflation expectations are directly related to their life experiences. I use a panel of farmland market participants in the Purdue Land Value and Cash Rent Survey to estimate the effect of previous experience on farmland value expectations. I find no</p> <p>significant effects. However, my estimates are using variation in cross sectional data. This modeling choice does not rule out the potential of the Farm Financial Crisis effecting all market participants in a similar way, a question outside of my analysis.</p> <p>     Each chapter of this Dissertation addresses how an agent forms their expectations, a necessary first step in my journey as a researcher. I am interested in the link between expectations and economic outcomes. I have built considerable knowledge on expectation formation and will deploy this knowledge exploring the role of expectations in farm outcomes, like acreage allocation, commodity storage, technology adoption, and household labor engagement. In my next step as a researcher, I plan to use the current theoretical advancements in behavioral economics, the explosion in empirical methods and computing, and the availability of data to re-visit the role of expectations in “classic” farm economics problems.</p>

Professional nurses comprise the largest number of health care professionals in South Africa. High turnover rates contribute to shortages of nurses in South Africa, aggravated by the emigration of nurses, inadequate recruitment of student nurses, and the expected retirement of many baby boomer nurses by 2016. This study addressed factors influencing the retention of professional nurses in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. In phase 1, postal questionnaires were completed by 101 registered nurses while semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 nurse managers in phase 2. Personal, organisational and managerial factors influenced the retention potential of the professional nurses. In terms of Maslow' Hierarchy of Needs Theory, most factors influencing nurses' retention operated on the lowest (physiological) level and concerned remuneration. Safety needs were compromised by the lack of equipment and supplies, the shortage of nurses and unsafe working places. Esteem needs included respect from doctors, managers and colleagues as well as recognition for outstanding performance. In terms of Vogt et al's Theory of Nurse Retention Theory, the constrictions caused by inadequate remuneration and safety aspects should be addressed. Lewin's Force-Field Analysis Theory recommends that the factors that influence nurses' retention negatively should be unfrozen, changed and refrozen, including communication. Based on these results guidelines were compiled for enhancing the retention rates of professional nurses (Annexure G). / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Nurses constitute the largest professional group in South Africa's health care services. Factors contributing to South African nurses' emigration were studied qualitatively by analysing expatriate nurses' responses to open-ended questions, and quantitatively by analysing newly registered nurses' responses to structured questionnaires. These results were contextualised within Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory, revealing that nurses' inability to meet their physiological needs, due to inadequate remuneration, was the major factor contributing to nurses' emigration potential. While improved salaries might enable more nurses to remain in South Africa, expatriate nurses would not return to South Africa unless certain esteem and self-actualisation needs could also be satisfied. Improving nurses' salaries is essential to address South African nurses' emigration potential. However, improved working conditions, enhanced workplace security, improved levels of job satisfaction and the appointment of nurses into currently frozen posts are also necessary, as is governmental and public recognition of the value of the profession. The South African nursing profession, health care services, Government and society should urgently address factors contributing to South African nurses' emigration potential; otherwise a serious shortage of nurses could cause the collapse of this country's health care services. / Health Studies / DLITT ET PHIL (HEALTH ST)

Issues of overcrowdedness in Eastern Cape schools have become very prominent in the media. The qualitative research in this study reiterates its existence and its implications for both learners and teachers. A need exists to curb the declining schooling standards. Large-scale in-service teacher training in an immediate joint effort by the Education Department and the school is necessary to address these serious issues. Classroom situations with low pupil:teacher ratios, classroom atmospheres conducive to teaching and learning, and an improved quality of education should be strived for. The effective attainment of the ideals of outcomes-based education requires improved teacher management and leadership to better disciplined classes. The treatment of any backlogs and inequalities evident in overcrowded classes should aim mainly at the upliftment of disadvantaged learners, who are still suffering under the effects of the previous education dispensation. Relevant recommendations and a suggested model to rectify the situation are proposed. / Oorbevolkingsvraagstukke in skole in die Oos-Kaap geniet aansienlike aandag in die media. Die kwalitatiewe navorsing van hierdie studie fokus op die voorkoms en implikasies daarvan vir beide die leerders en onderwysers. Daar bestaan 'n behoefte om dalende onderrigstandaarde te verbeter. Grootskaalse indiensopleiding vir onderwysers in 'n onmiddellike gesamentlike paging deur die Onderwysdepartement en die skoal is noodsaaklik om hierdie emstige probleem aan te spreek. Daar moet gestreef word na meer voordelige klaskameromstandighede met 'n laer leerder:onderwyserverhouding, 'n klaskameratmosfeer wat bevorderlik is vir onderrig en leer asook 'n verbeterde opvoedingskwalitiet. Die effektiewe verwesenliking van uitkomsgebaseerde onderrig verg verbeterde leerkrag beheer en leidinggewing aan beter gedissiplineerde klasse. Die behandeling van agterstande en ongelykhede wat in oorbevolkte klasse voorkom, moet daarop gemik wees om agtergeblewe leerders, wat nog onder die gevolge van die vorige onderwysbedeling ly, op te hef. Toepaslike aanbevelings en 'n voorgestelde model om die situasie reg te stel, word voorgele. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Comparative Education)

In South Africa prior to 1994, community-based care and support services were established for whites only. The majority of older African (black) persons received informal support from their adult children and relatives. This has waned over the years due to the social and economic changes that have put into doubt the continued viability of such support. The Older Persons Act of 2006 requires social workers to establish community-based care and support services for older persons. Hence, the study was conducted to understand the factors that influence social workers in establishing CBCSS for older persons in Bloemfontein in the Free State Province. A qualitative research method was undertaken to accomplish the goal of the study. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify suitable participants. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen social workers who provide services to older persons. The data was analysed through Tesch’s (cited by Creswell, 2009:186) eight steps of qualitative analysis and data verification was conducted following Guba’s (Kreftling, 1991) model. The major finding is that there is a need for social workers to specialise in older persons programmes (gerontology). For the programmes to be a success, it is recommended that the Department of Social Development (DSD) strive to retain social workers who are knowledgeable and experienced in older persons programmes. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science)

Pour certaines maladies causées par des agents chimiques, biologiques, radiologiques et nucléaires (CBRN), il n’existe pas de contre-mesures médicales (MedCM) et bon nombre de celles qui existent pourraient ne pas être disponibles en cas de besoin. En cas d’accident CBRN, des efforts inadéquats de financement de la R&D et de mise à disposition par les gouvernements peuvent avoir de graves conséquences économiques nettement supérieures aux coûts d’initiatives préventives. Compte-tenu des contraintes budgétaires auxquelles de nombreux gouvernements sont confrontés, il est nécessaire de définir des priorités. Parallèlement à la mise en place d’indicateurs de décision de santé efficaces qui identifient et mesurent les effets de causalité de l’impact négatif sur la santé, le processus de décision doit également prendre en considération le rapport coût-efficacité pour rendre le financement durable.Cette thèse a pour objectif de définir une voie vers une politique économique de santé publique visant à renforcer la disponibilité des MedCM pour les agents CBRN. Dans la première partie, les causes des défaillances du marché sont identifiées (lorsque les opportunités de profit ne compensent pas l’effort de R&D nécessaire). Dans la deuxième partie, des études de cas illustrent les caractéristiques et les conséquences économiques d’exemples d’accidents CBRN et des scénarios sont analysés afin de mettre en évidence comment la disponibilité de MedCM pourrait potentiellement devenir rentable. Enfin, la troisième partie propose des approches plus complètes pour mesurer et compenser les facteurs contribuant à la défaillance du marché en appliquant des modèles économiques spécifiques. / For some diseases caused by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents, innovative medical countermeasures (MedCMs) do not exist while many of those that do might not be readily available. In case of a CBRN event, inappropriate medical research and development (R&D) funding and government procurement efforts can result in adverse economic consequences (e.g. lost income) far exceeding the costs of strong and comprehensive preparedness initiatives. Given the budgetary constraints many governments face, priorities must be defined. Parallel to determining effective health decision metrics that identify and weigh the causal effects of negative health impact, decision making must also consider cost-effectiveness to make funding sustainable. Moreover, international cooperation is necessary since the risks increasingly transcend borders due to global travel and the global threat of terrorism. This dissertation ultimately seeks to define a path to public health economic policy to enhance the international availability of CBRN MedCMs. In Part I, the root causes of market failure are identified and depicted (i.e., where rewards for supply do not adequately compensate for the R&D effort). In Part II, case study examples illustrate the characteristics and economic consequences of CBRN incidents. Scenarios for each case are outlined to show where the availability of MedCMs in these situations could potentially be cost-effective. Finally, Part III construes more comprehensive approaches for gauging and offsetting the deterrence factors of market supply and demand by compiling and applying additional economic models and frameworks.

The National Health Act aims to protect the health care users and workers by ensuring that their work environments are protected against injuries. Practice environment is described as a physical, social and psychological characteristic of a work setting in which policies, procedures and systems are designed so that employees can meet the organisational objectives and achieve personal satisfaction in their work environment. The aim of the study was to describe and analyze characteristics of the practice environment of nurses. A quantitative descriptive study was conducted in a public hospital in Gauteng Province. Practice Environment Scale-Nursing Working Index (PES-NWI) questionnaires were distributed to 207 nurses who were proportionately stratified. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 25. Findings identified gaps of the current characteristics of the practice environment and developed strategies that will assist managers to enhance practice environment. There was alignment and correlation between the means, standard deviation and the frequencies which were drawn from the findings. The overall Cronbach’s alpha was 89% which confirmed the internal consistency of the instrument. The majority of the variables demonstrated statistical significance which had a p value of 0.001. In conclusion, practice environment affects all health care professionals although the study only analyzed the practice environment of nurses. / Health Studies / M. P. H.

Professional nurses comprise the largest number of health care professionals in South Africa. High turnover rates contribute to shortages of nurses in South Africa, aggravated by the emigration of nurses, inadequate recruitment of student nurses, and the expected retirement of many baby boomer nurses by 2016. This study addressed factors influencing the retention of professional nurses in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. In phase 1, postal questionnaires were completed by 101 registered nurses while semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 nurse managers in phase 2. Personal, organisational and managerial factors influenced the retention potential of the professional nurses. In terms of Maslow' Hierarchy of Needs Theory, most factors influencing nurses' retention operated on the lowest (physiological) level and concerned remuneration. Safety needs were compromised by the lack of equipment and supplies, the shortage of nurses and unsafe working places. Esteem needs included respect from doctors, managers and colleagues as well as recognition for outstanding performance. In terms of Vogt et al's Theory of Nurse Retention Theory, the constrictions caused by inadequate remuneration and safety aspects should be addressed. Lewin's Force-Field Analysis Theory recommends that the factors that influence nurses' retention negatively should be unfrozen, changed and refrozen, including communication. Based on these results guidelines were compiled for enhancing the retention rates of professional nurses (Annexure G). / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Nurses constitute the largest professional group in South Africa's health care services. Factors contributing to South African nurses' emigration were studied qualitatively by analysing expatriate nurses' responses to open-ended questions, and quantitatively by analysing newly registered nurses' responses to structured questionnaires. These results were contextualised within Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory, revealing that nurses' inability to meet their physiological needs, due to inadequate remuneration, was the major factor contributing to nurses' emigration potential. While improved salaries might enable more nurses to remain in South Africa, expatriate nurses would not return to South Africa unless certain esteem and self-actualisation needs could also be satisfied. Improving nurses' salaries is essential to address South African nurses' emigration potential. However, improved working conditions, enhanced workplace security, improved levels of job satisfaction and the appointment of nurses into currently frozen posts are also necessary, as is governmental and public recognition of the value of the profession. The South African nursing profession, health care services, Government and society should urgently address factors contributing to South African nurses' emigration potential; otherwise a serious shortage of nurses could cause the collapse of this country's health care services. / Health Studies / DLITT ET PHIL (HEALTH ST)

The aims of thesis were analyze supply and demand of tourism and to complete the products for selected segment of visitors and to suggest possibilities of communcation and cooperation cultural facilities and sector of tourism in the region of Třebíč. The thesis includes several parts. The first part is a theoretical part, which provides basic theoretical information. Another part contains an analysis of tourism offer in the region of Třebíč. In the next part of thesis was performed marketing research of cultural facilities in the region of Třebíč. Another tree SWOT analyses were performed. This information led to the development process of tourism in the region of Třebíč.