Thesis (M. Tech. (Tourism and Hospitality management)) -- Central university of Technology, Free State, 2012 / South Africa is the country with the largest population of HIV and AIDS sufferers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since AIDS is an incurable disease that mostly affects individuals in their productive years, it could have a disruptive impact on the productivity and financial sustainability of organisations, which is especially true in the hospitality industry where long and strenuous working hours are often expected from staff. With this in mind, the study aimed to evaluate the level of implementation of HIV and AIDS policies in the hospitality industry, by focusing on a major South African hotel group. This particular hotel group operates a number of individual hotels throughout South Africa. To ensure that all geographical areas were covered, major cities in three different provinces were identified as suitable locations for individual hotels to be identified for the study. The city of Durban, representing the Kwazulu-Natal Province, was selected on the basis of being the worst-affected area, with Bloemfontein (Free State Province) and Cape Town (Western Cape Province) as the medium-affected and least-affected area respectively. The data, which was gathered by means of a questionnaire, was interpreted both qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings show that the respondents were not always aware of the existence of HIV and AIDS policies and that these were not being adequately communicated to staff. The findings also indicate that the respondents do not fully comprehend the disruptive nature of the disease or the fact that it could negatively affect productivity and profit.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Public Management)) -- Central University of Technology, free State, [2014] / The primary aim of the proposed study is to investigate the technical problems affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of District Hospitals in the Free State Province. The proposed research therefore stands to contribute to the existing body of evidence on the efficiency and effectiveness of health care services, with regard to the existing problems in the health sector such as high staff turnover, facilities with lack of appropriate equipment, unmanageable workload, lack of appropriate infrastructure, a high absenteeism rate and low morale of the employees in the public health institutions. Therefore the study will identify potential shortcomings that are compromising the efficiency and effectiveness of the district hospitals. The findings of the study will be used to address some of the identified problems and also to describe how progress can be measured. The outcomes of this study are intended to raise important issues and to assist management of the Free State Department of Health to address the challenges that are affecting the functioning of the district hospitals. The findings will also assist the relevant managers in planning and implementation of policies that will address inequalities and problems as highlighted in the study. It will also create opportunities for shared responsibilities that management and the staff need to resolve jointly.

Thesis (D. Tech. (Business Administration)) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2013 / This study was carried out to examine the interaction between ethnicity and entrepreneurship in a South African setting. Specifically, a survey using a questionnaire was carried out to determine the influence ethnicity has on entrepreneurial behaviour and attitudes among the Tswana, Afrikaner, Coloured and Indian entrepreneurs in the Naledi Local Municipality in the North West Province of South Africa. A literature review preceded the empirical study to fully comprehend the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the interaction between ethnicity and entrepreneurship among different ethnic groups. In the empirical study phase, a questionnaire was administered to 400 randomly selected entrepreneurs in order to collect data on their motives for starting business, source of start-up capital and their attitudes/behaviours regarding risk in business. Waldinger et al.'s (1996) structure, enclave, cultural and situation theories were used as the theoretical base. Out of a total of 400 questionnaires that were distributed, 338 were usable representing an 84.5% response rate. The chi-square tests found significant differences (p < 0.05) between the four ethnic groups on all the key dimensions of ethnicity on entrepreneurship and the success/performance of the four ethnic groups in business. The chi-square test shows that businesses operated/owned by Afrikaner and Indian ethic groups are more likely to perform better than those owned and operated by their Tswana and Coloured counterparts.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Business administration)) - Central University of technology, Free State, 2012 / Research evidence suggests that South African small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are not making the desired impact on their societies because they are unable to create jobs. The normative assertion is that by engaging in socially responsible activities, SMMEs will be able to enhance their impact on society. Much “noise”, effort and resources are being made available to South African SMMEs to encourage them to embrace this concept of social responsibility as it is also touted to result in business benefits. Socially responsible behaviour by SMMEs has therefore become an important national issue in South Africa. However, in spite of this realisation, very little is known about how seriously the South African SMMEs really consider and approach the whole issue of business social responsibility (BSR) precisely because of the dearth of empirical research on the subject. Without empirical evidence from systematic research, it becomes extremely difficult to tell for sure what these SMMEs think of and are really doing in terms of BSR; what obstacles they face in their BSR endeavours; what support they need; among others. Without such information, policy makers cannot reasonably be expected to formulate appropriate support mechanisms to enhance the BSR efforts of these SMMEs. In the end, communities like Botshabelo (in the Free State Province of South Africa) might lose out on the benefits that are usually associated with BSR performance of SMMEs. The purpose of this study was to provide such information. Specifically, the research investigated the following issues: SMMEs understanding of BSR; BSR as a sound business philosophy/practice for SMMEs; Why SMMEs undertake BSR; SMMEs’ attitude towards BSR; Barriers to SMMEs’ BSR engagement; and main BSR activities of SMMEs. In this study, research was conducted on the SMMEs of the Botshabelo industrial estate. After a thorough literature review, data were collected from 170 respondents on 137 out of the 150 SMMEs operating in Botshabelo. The results of the data analysis suggest that the SMMEs investigated have a good understanding of the concept and its value. However, the SMMEs focus mainly on employee and customer issues while showing less concern for community and environmental issues. The SMMEs also encounter barriers to BSR engagement which mostly have to do with lack of time. Based on these findings, recommendations are made regarding policy and further research.

Thesis ( M. Tech. (Business Administration )) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014 / Fast and secure public service delivery is not only a necessity, but a compulsory endeavour. However, it is close to impossible to achieve such objectives without the use of Information Technology (IT). It is correspondingly important to find proper sustainability frameworks of technology. Organisations do not only need technology for efficient public service; the constant upgrading of systems and cautious migration to the newest IT developments is also equally indispensable in today’s dynamic technological world. Conversely, countries in Africa are always lagging behind in technological progresses. Such deficiencies have been identified in the passport processing of Lesotho and South Africa, where to unequal extents, problems related to systems of passport production have contributed to delays and have become fertile grounds for corrupt practices. The study seeks to identify the main impediments in the adoption of Management Information Systems (MIS) for passport processing. Furthermore, the study explores the impact MIS might have in attempting to combat long queues and to avoid long waiting periods – from application to issuance of passports to citizens. The reasonable time frame between passport application and issuance, and specific passport management systems, have been extensively discussed along with various strategies that have been adopted by some of the world’s first movers in modern passport management technologies. In all cases and stages of this research, Lesotho and South Africa are compared. The research approach of the study was descriptive and explorative in nature. As a quantitative design, a structured questionnaire was used to solicit responses in Lesotho and South Africa. It was established that both Lesotho and South Africa have somewhat similar problems – although, to a greater extent, Lesotho needs much more urgent attention. Although the processes of South Africa need to be improved, the Republic releases a passport much faster and more efficiently than Lesotho. Economic issues are also revealed by the study as unavoidable factors that always affect technological developments in Africa. The study reveals that the latest MIS for passport processing has facilitated modern, automated border-control systems and resultant e-passports that incorporate more biometric information of citizens to passports – thanks to modern RFID technologies. One can anticipate that this study will provide simple, affordable and secure IT solutions for passport processing. Key words: Information Technology (IT); Management Information Systems (MIS); E-Government; E-Passport; Biometrics; and RFID.

Thesis (M. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2009

Thesis (M. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State

Thesis (D. Tech.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2007 / The focus of this study is on a Model of Co-operative Education on Peace Support Operations (PSO) in Africa. PSO are multi-functional operations involving military forces and diplomatic humanitarian agencies. They are designed to achieve humanitarian goals or a long-term political settlement, and are conducted impartially in support of a UN mandate. These include peacekeeping (PK), peace enforcement (PE), conflict prevention, peacemaking, peace building, and humanitarian operations. Since the advent of democracy in 1994, domestic and international expectations have steadily grown regarding a new South African role as a responsible and respected member of the international community. These expectations have included a hope that South Africa will play a leading role in a variety of international, regional and sub-regional forums, and that the country will become an active participant in attempts to resolve various regional and international conflicts. Peacekeeping is becoming more and more important as South Africa plays a vital role in African missions, mandates, deployment and restructuring. The core of peacekeeping operations in Africa is no longer about the deployment of armed forces, but the focus is shifting towards a more integrated approach including reconstruction, development, stability, civilian involvement and humanitarian aspects. While skills required for peace operations overlap with those required for war, there is increasing recognition that additional peace operations training is needed to successfully conduct these missions. The demand, advancement and application of peacekeeping evolve worldwide, especially in Africa, where enormous funding is being poured into local research and development, testing and training. The market for Education, Training and Development (ETD) in the field of PSO is growing, as South Africa is becoming increasingly involved in peacekeeping missions on the African continent. At present, there is no Co-operative Education programme on generic PSO on the operational/strategic level presented by any of the major universities in South Africa in order to enhance other PSO training. The objectives of this research project are in phase one: • To determine the need for and feasibility of a Co-operative Education Program on PSO. • To write a instructional design (ISD) report for a Co-operative Education Model on PSO and, • To draft possible curriculum content. • The second phase of the project could involve the development of learning material, and the evaluation of the proposed Co-operative Education Model on PSO by running a pilot programme. The principal product (output) of this research will consist out of an ISD report on a Model for Co-operative Education on PSO in Africa, presented by means of Correspondence Instruction with contact sessions. The key factors in production of the learning program include geo-political and security studies in order to create an understanding of the African battle space, PSO as presented by UNITAR POCI, the assessment of international practice with regards to PSO in order to relate the information to operations in Africa, PSO on the African continent, and Civil-Military Cooperation.

Thesis (D. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2009 / Superficial cancerous lesions are commonly treated through low energy X-ray or electron radiation in radiotherapy. The treatment units that produce the radiation are equipped with square, rectangular and round applicators of different sizes. These applicators attach to the treatment units and define the radiation field size applied during treatment. An applicator is chosen to fit the shape of the cancerous lesion on the patient as closely as possible. Since cancerous lesions are irregular in shape, there will always be an area of healthy tissue between the edge of the lesion and the edge of the standard field shape. This healthy tissue will be irradiated along with the lesion during treatment which is undesirable since the cancer wound heals through reparative growth of the surrounding healthy tissue after treatment. Traditional techniques that were developed to shield this healthy tissue and thus shape the radiation field to the shape of the lesion present various shortcomings. This study introduces a new thermal-spray process for producing radiation field shaping shields which overcomes most of the shortcomings encountered with the traditional field shaping techniques. Since none of the commercially available thermal-spray equipment could be used to produce field shaping shields, new thermal-spray equipment was designed and fabricated tailor made to the application. Different techniques to determine the contours of the treatment area on the patient were investigated. These included a patient contact technique using a plaster bandage impression and a non-contact technique using 3D laser scanning. From the plaster bandage impression a plaster model can be produced onto which a high density low melt material such as Wood’ s alloy can be thermally sprayed to produce a field shaping mask. A model can also be produced from the 3D laser scanning data through laser sintering (LS) in nylon polyamide powder or through computer numerical controlled (CNC) milling in a block of low density polyurethane. The thermal-spray technique was evaluated by comparing the field shaping ability of radiation shields produced through the technique to the field shaping ability of shields produced through the traditional techniques. Radiographic film was used for this purpose and the results are presented in the form of isodensity charts. The required thicknesses of thermal-sprayed field shaping masks to shield radiation of various energies were also determined. The thicknesses were determined through radiation transmission measurements of known thicknesses of sprayed sheets of Wood’ s alloy. X-ray imaging showed that there were no defects present within thermal-sprayed layers of Wood’ s alloy that may negatively affect the shielding ability of masks produced through the technique.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Mech. Eng.)) -- Central University of Technology, Free state, 2010 / The purpose of this research is to minimize the use of active systems in providing thermal comfort in single-family detached, middle to high income residential buildings in Bloemfontein. The typical case study house was selected according to the criteria as reviewed by Mathews et al., (1999). Measurements were taken for seven days (18 – 24 May 2009). The measurements were carried out in the winter period for Bloemfontein, South Africa. Ecolog TH1, humidity and temperature data logger was used in doing the measurements. These measurements included indoor temperatures and indoor relative humidity. Temperature swings of 8.43 ºC and thermal lag of 1 hour were observed. For the period of seven days (168 hours), the house was thermally comfortable for 84 hours. Thermal analysis for the base case house was done using Ecotect™ (building analysis software) and the simulated results were compared with the measured results. A mean bias error (MBE) of between 10.3% ≤≤11.5% was obtained on the initial calibration. The final calibration of the model yielded error between0.364% ≤≤0.365%. The final calibration model which presented a small error was adopted as the base case. Passive strategies were incorporated to the Ecotect™ model (final calibrated model) singly and in combination; then both thermal and space load simulations were obtained and compared to simulations from the original situation (base case) for assessing improvements in terms of thermal comfort and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) energy consumption. Annual HVAC electricity savings of up to 55.2 % were obtained from incorporating passive strategies in combination. Incorporating passive strategies resulted in small improvements in thermal comfort.