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Worker participation at the workplace with special reference to Dunlop Tyre Manufacturing Company in Durban.Ngomane, Mpumelelo Excellent. January 2002 (has links)
The South African Labour Market still lacks significant numbers of workers in
spheres of decision-making. As a result the employers have been severely
criticised by the trade union movement for not adopting worker participation
strategies. This study was initiated in response to the recognition of the
importance of worker participation as a dynamic and complex concept that allows
both employers and employees to effectively participation in decision-making.
The argument raised in this study is that worker participation promotes the spirit
of solidarity, co-operation, satisfaction, tolerance, and discipline. It is argued in
this study that the involvement of workers in decision-making creates a platform
for dialogue. When both workers and employers start to dialogue a proper
platform for worker participation is created.
The objective of this study was to evaluate perceptions of whether worker
participation can indeed lead to an increase in productivity and economic growth
in the broader context. The study was also aimed at unpacking the argument
raised by scholars that where there is worker participation, workers will feel the
sense of owning the company and as a result they will be more satisfied with
their jobs.
After interrogating these issues a conclusion is reached that worker participation
is essential if the company is to facilitate job satisfaction. This is supported by the
findings of the literature review and the fieldwork conducted. As per responses
given by the workers and managers, the findings of the study reveal that when
employers do not introduce worker participation, it leads to the feelings of
disempowerment and marginalisation of the workers.
Both employees and employers are of an ideal that for the company to be run
effectively and efficiently, the employees need to be given a proper platform to
express their views. This then supports the arguments raised in the literature
review that workers participation creates a situation whereby the workers voice is
heard in the workplace.
Furthermore, the results of this study conducted among workers and managers
in Dunlop also reveal that in a work environment where there is no worker
participation the production process is adversely affected. However, an important
point to note is that both parties must be willing to accept each other as partners
in decision-making. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2002.
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Social capital, social networks and refugee migration : an exploration of the livelihood strategies of Durban Congolese refugees.Amisi, Baruti Bahati. January 2005 (has links)
This study investigates DRC refugees' economic activities in the Durban area in order to understand why some DRC refugees adapt and integrate in the local economy whereas others fail and migrate to refugee camps outside South Africa. We use various migration theories, and the concept of social exclusion to understand refugee action, and highlight the importance of social networks as a form social capital among refugees. Social networks form the cornerstone of DRC refugees' source of income through vital information sharing, financial, material and psychological support. These networks constitute a social net for newcomers and provide important support during
random events such as unemployment, illness and death. However, access to the benefit of these networks is often subject to class, gender and age differentials which can have negative effects on both members and non-members. DRC refugees are subject to diverse forms of exploitative practices both from locals and from economically stable refugees including those from the Congo. Key officials and the voluntary sector play different roles at different times. These are mainly negative but are occasionally positive. These negative effects limit Congolese refugees' ability to successfully voice their concerns. Social exclusion and xenophobic attitudes from some key officials and ordinary people worsen the already precarious situation of the refugee communities. Yet, the research findings indicate that xenophobia is not something fundamental. It is fuelled by political manipulation and competition over scarce resources. Further research over time is necessary to confirm or reject this hypothesis. DRC refugees take whatever opportunities they can to establish their livelihoods and increase their resilience to shocks and uncertainty in Durban. Thus their incomes originate from different economic activities. Incomes also come from social support
including remittance from other countries and provinces of South Africa, ethnic-based NGOs, political parties and churches, and manipulation from South African NGOs for individual's benefit. Yet, mistrust and social exclusion both within the DRC refugees and between this community and South Africans negatively affect their livelihoods. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.
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The role of development partnerships in Mozambique.Trudeau, Daren. January 2000 (has links)
No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.
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Central bank governance, accountability and independence : the case of the Reserve Bank of Malawi.Kalilombe, Lukes. January 2008 (has links)
This dissertation measured using appropriate methodology the degree of independence of
the Reserve Bank of Malawi based on the Reserve Bank of Malawi Act of 1989.
Furthermore the dissertation assessed the vulnerability of this independence in the
context of good governance and a variety of internal and external threats on the
independence. This comes from the understanding that even though central banks are
accorded independence, there are situations where practice deviates from what the
charters state. Therefore the dissertation provides recommendations on how to strengthen
the Reserve Bank Act to support its legal independence. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.
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Rural poverty : subsistence or dependency.May, Julian Douglas. January 1984 (has links)
The Republic of Transkei, the first of the "Independent" National States has financed a number of research projects which have attempted to establish a data base on which a Five Year Development Plan can be grounded. A important element of this plan has been the suggestion of the creation of a hierarchy of Service Centres in the rural areas of Transkei. From these, it is envisaged that essential services could be distributed to the rural poor. In addition, these Centres are expected assist with the co-ordination of other projects based in the rural areas, and, further, to contain some inherent growth potential which could stimulate development. It was intended that this thesis should provide a critical analysis development planning in for the rural areas of Transkei. Particular attention has been paid to the existing conditions and structures in the rural areas, and the manner in which these might influence the success or otherwise of a Service Centre Approach. In addition, the relationship between rural households in Transkei, and the South African economy has also been examined.
Chapter One of this thesis introduces the importance of development
studies in Southern Africa. It goes on to examine the important
theoretical approaches to Third World economies, notably, the
Dualistic and the Dependency paradigms. The Althussarian concept of
an articulation of two or more modes of production is discussed in
this section. Thereafter, the Southern African development experiance
is reviewed, taking into account the Liberal and Radical interpretations, and placing these within the paradigms discussed earlier. The chapter concludes by situating Transkei within the broader Southern African political economy. Chapter Two discusses the Rural Service Centre concept, and the
emphasis which has been placed on it in Transkeian planning. The chapter raises a number a crucial questions regarding this concept and posits that a deeper understanding of the conditions in the rural areas might assist in providing the answers for some of these questions. To this end a household survey was conducted in the Umzimkulu District of Transkei, and the chapter concludes with a description of methodology, and of the areas which were selected for survey. Chapters Three to Five present the findings of the survey, and represent the empirical core of the thesis. Chapter Three describes the demographic characteristics of the sampled population. Chapter Four deals at length with the income generating ability of the rural households, taking into account subistence agriculture, local formal and informal employment, welfare payments and remittances. In
addition, a wealth index has been created, and the distribution of wealth examined. Chapter Five briefly introduces the Basic Needs Approach to development, and the remainder of the chapter concerns itself with the fulfilment of essential needs in the Umzimkulu District. Finally, chapter Six draws together the dependnecy theory discussed in chapter One, the data presented in chapters Three to Five, and the politio-economic structure of Transkei. The chapter argues that although the Service Centre Approach may appear to be a suitable strategy for development in purely spatial terms, in fiscal terms the approach contains a crucial flaw. Such an approach requires a redistribution of resources from the urban wealthy to the rural poor. In view of Transkei's dependent status viv-a-vis South Africa, and in view of the nature of the Transkeian bureaucracy , it is argued that such a transfer seems unlikely. However, in order to move away from the overall pessimistic tone of the conclusion, it is suggested the Last Word that, ultimately, it appears that the position of the rural poor will only recieve attention once this group becomes important to politicians in Umtata and Pretoria. Consequently, local development projects should seek ways in which they will be noticed by the government. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 1984.
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'Coloured' identity and reflections of the 'other' in community discourse : a case study of Wentworth.Meadows, Briana R. January 2008 (has links)
This project explores the persistence of racial frameworks amongst Coloureds in
Wentworth, Durban, using perspectives from discourse analysis as a methodological and
theoretical framework. In-depth focus groups and interviews with Wentworth residents
were conducted to investigate the continued socio-political relevance of such frameworks
in the context of their own identity as 'Coloured', especially where these relate to
residual racial hierarchies of the colonial era. Three sample groups were utilised to reflect
the community's socio-economic spectrum, which enabled a class-based discussion of
the way 'Colouredness' and ideals such as national reconciliation may be reflected by
different socio-economic groups. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.
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Examining consumers perceptions on water supply and sanitation services : a case study of Ohlange Township, Durban, South Africa.January 2008 (has links)
Governments in many developing countries have stepped up efforts to provide water and
sanitation services sustainably to as many people as possible. In some instances, time frames
for provision of services to all of their citizens have been set. While these are commendable
efforts, the question whether these services are provided efficiently remains unanswered. In
South Africa, although the government conducts consumer satisfaction surveys, seldom are
citizens consulted for their views. While its efforts have been hailed as a success in the postapartheid
era, there have been many obstacles in the supply process. The assumption has been
that the government knows what the citizens want and gives it them, irrespective of their
concerns. This study interrogated this assumption as its overall research objective, aiming to
evaluate whether a supply-driven approach is effective in satisfying the demands of the
consumers.
As such the study sought to gain insight into the perceptions of Ohlange Township residents
in Inanda, Durban, regarding water supply and sanitation services. The study found out that
many of these residents could not afford to pay for basic services, although they are currently
expected to pay for some of the costs of service provision. However, in a resource-constrained
environment, the government can no longer sustainably provide these services without
recovering costs. In this case, the government faces the challenge of balancing its
constitutional mandate of providing all citizens with basic services and the demand by the
poor for improved services they cannot afford. In this case, supply-led delivery system is
severely limited in fully addressing consumer demands. This approach also results in poor
service delivery due to inefficient resource management. It also disempowers communities
because they are not involved in decision-making processes. Based on the study findings, the
demand-led approach, one that is consumer-driven, is recommended. This approach puts the
consumer at the centre of the delivery of basic services; allows consumers to participate in
decision-making processes and encourages them to honour their obligations by paying for the
services received.
11 / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.
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Gender, water and livelihoods in Mseleni : a case study.Hazell, Eleanor L. K. January 2008 (has links)
Water is essential to human survival, health, wellbeing and livelihoods. Access to sufficient water for consumption and domestic use is considered a basic need and a human right. Water use however, goes beyond basic needs; water is an asset important to livelihoods. There is a growing body of literature documenting water and livelihoods linkages, the gendered nature of water access, use and livelihoods however, is usually neglected. This case study investigates the gender, water and livelihoods interface in Mseleni, a rural community in KwaZulu Natal. 'Positive' (e.g. livelihoods enhancing) and 'negative' (e.g. livelihoods constraining) linkages are found. Access to a reliable, sufficient water supply increases the range of possible livelihood activities and has a 'multiplier' effect on livelihood outcomes. Poor water access results in health, opportunity and financial costs and furthermore, constrains livelihood activities; in particular agriculture. Where access is poor, there is a 'market' for selling water and water access, from which some people profit. Water access is influenced by inter and intra-household hierarchies: Gender, age, social status and class affect access to and control over resources and result in uneven accruement of the positive and negative water and livelihoods linkages. Technology, transport and money are potential levers which can alter the social relations of access. Recommendations are made on several levels to enhance livelihoods and advance gender equity: Factoring livelihoods water uses into definitions of basic needs and humans rights, norms, standards, policies and programmes. Working towards a more nuanced understanding of power relations at household and community level which influence water access and livelihood outcomes, coupled with commitment to support and empower disadvantaged people in rural areas to define their basic needs and claim their human rights. And the equitable roll-out of simple technologies, infrastructure and transport to deep rural areas in order to make water for livelihoods more accessible. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.
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Hanging by a thread? : the post-MFA competitive dynamics of the clothing industry in Madagascar.Sedowski, Leanne R. January 2006 (has links)
With the end of the Multifibre Arrangement (MFA), many have predicted that countries in
Africa will lose their comparatively inefficient clothing and textile industry as competition
from China increases. Madagascar has not escaped such threat. The clothing and textile
industry is important to Madagascar in terms of export revenue, employment creation and
income generation. Trade agreements have played an essential role in the growth of the
clothing industry as Madagascar is eligible for both AGOA (Africa Growth and
Opportunity Act) and European Union ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) trade benefits.
This paper aims to find out how the end of the MFA has affected the industry thus far,
investigate the competitiveness of the Madagascar garment industry to respond to this new
global change, assess strategies firms and government have for the future, and offer policy
suggestions on how firms can be supported to encourage them to remain in Madagascar. / Thesis (M.Dev.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.
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Climate change knowledge among youth in Durban : a case study of COY7.Borg, Karolina Viktoria. January 2012 (has links)
This case study explores climate change knowledge among a group of youth in Durban who participated in the seventh Conference of Youth (COY7). The conference was held 25th-27th of November 2011 in Durban in conjunction with the 17th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The study examines how they understand the concept of climate change; what inspired them to take an interest in climate change issues; what sources of information on climate change that have been influential for them; and how their participation in the conference influenced their knowledge and commitment. The findings reveal that many different sources have been influential for providing climate change knowledge and engendering commitment among the youth. While peers are particularly important as a source of initial interest, the influential sources of knowledge are more varied. Two main sources were evident in this study: sources provided by more structured settings like university and written materials, and sources obtained through more socials settings, such as interactions with people and conferences and seminars. According to the findings, COY7 was more important for the youth as a source of inspiration and motivation than as a source of new knowledge. The case study reveals the importance of diversity in sources of information about climate change among the youth. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.
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