Call number: LD2668 .T4 1978 T47 / Master of Science

This study analyses the relationship between remuneration (real wage) and labour productivity in South Africa at the macroeconomic level, using time series and econometric techniques. The results depict that there is a significant evidence of a structural break in 1990. The break appears to have affected the employment level and subsequently fed through into employees' remuneration (real wage) and productivity. A long run cointegrating relationship was found between remuneration and labour productivity for the period 1990 to 2011. In the long run, 1% increase in labour productivity is linked with an approximately 1.98% rise in remuneration. The coefficient of the error correction term in the labour productivity is large, indicating a rapid adjustment of labour productivity to equilibrium. However, remuneration does not Granger cause labour productivity and vice versa. / Thesis (M.Com.(Statistics) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate a productivity measurement at the South African Minting Company and evaluate the relationship between productivity and quality. Special emphasis was given to profit-linked total factor model as the tool for measurement. This was encouraged by their ability to separate productivity, profitability and price recovery. Three models were selected and evaluated. These models American Productivity Center (APC) Model, “Profitability = productivity + price recovery” (PPP) model and multi-factor productivity measurement model (MFPMM). APC model was selected as the suitable model because of its simplicity, easy to set up, its ability to produce both financial and non financial data, and allow for route cause analysis with expert system, and more insight for the manager with Microsoft Excels’ What if analysis “Goal seek”. APC model was set up for four periods, from 1 April 2004 to 30 September 2007. The overall profitability results of the circulation coins profit center show an overall positive contribution. There was a break-even of the price recovery for 2006 financial year (period 2). In 2007 financial year (period 3), there was a negative contribution, and this improved to almost break-even in the six month period during this 2008 financial year (period 4). This means there was much more inflation on input resources and the recovery was not fully realised in the price of goods sold. Individual input costs show that the negative price recovery is culminating from material, labour and energy costs contributions. There is a plausible explanation for material and labour, but not for energy. The metal volatility is the underlying cause of the price variation. Labour variation was a company strategy to adjust employee to higher percentiles. Productivity was always positive with the highest contribution in the current financial year (period 4). This means that the profitability at SA Mint has been driven by productivity in the past two financial years. iv Survey of the questionnaire shows average scores for productivity and quality. It is noteworthy, that the lowest mean score for productivity is for the statement “Products are produced in error-free process”. This is a productivity quality measure. In addition, the same variable shows r2 value of 0.42. A conclusion is that even though productivity and quality are highly correlated and show a highly positive relationship, there is a concern on quality in the company. A link can be made that low price recovery becomes more difficult when the quality is not always good. Defective product is a cost, because the product does not reach the customer and if the product is reworked it is still a cost, though low, but more importantly it decreases the available capacity. This study was successful in setting up APC model and producing data that is worthy to the company and academic world. Finally, this study was successful in its quest to establish the relationship between productivity and quality.

BACKGROUND:Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) leads to impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL), productivity, and greater healthcare resource burden. The humanistic and economic burden may be more apparent in NDO patients with urinary incontinence (UI). The objective of this study was to compare the HRQoL, productivity, and health resource use (HRU) between continent and incontinent NDO patients.METHODS:A retrospective database analysis was conducted using the Adelphi Overactive Bladder (OAB)/UI Disease Specific Programme, a multi-national, cross-sectional survey reported from both patients' and physicians' perspectives. The population for this analysis included NDO patients with or without UI. General and disease-specific HRQoL were assessed using the EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D), Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (I-QOL), and the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q). Productivity and daily activity impairment were measured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire. HRU indicators included OAB-related surgery, OAB-related hospitalizations, incontinence pad usage, switching anticholinergics used for OAB due to inadequate response or adverse effects, and OAB-related physician visits. Bivariate analyses, multivariate ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses and published minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were used to assess relationships between incontinent status and the aforementioned outcome measures.RESULTS:A total of 324 NDO patients with or without urinary incontinence were included, averaging 54years of age (SD 16), of whom 43.8 percent were male. Bivariate analyses detected no significant relationship between incontinent status and HRU variables. Regression analyses revealed that incontinent patients had clinically and statistically lower disease-specific HRQoL and greater impairment in daily activities as compared to continent patients. On average, incontinent patients scored 10 points lower on the I-QOL total score, 9 points lower on the OAB-q HRQoL score, 15 points higher on OAB-q symptom severity, and experienced 8.2 percent higher activity impairment due to their bladder condition (all p <0.001).CONCLUSIONS:Incontinent NDO patients experience significantly lower HRQoL and activity impairment as compared to continent NDO patients.

The decline in agricultural productivity in Nigeria is linked to a host of factors ranging from unsustainable growth policies, inadequate funding and infrastructures, low levels of value added through processing, low commodity prices, unstable markets, poor extension services and low rates of literacy. It is now well recognised that there is a need to diversify Nigerian agriculture as well as improving production performances. This study investigates the potential of cassava root tuber (CRT), as a means to promote agricultural growth. It assesses cassava production, profitability, efficiency, marketing structures and channels, constraints in production, the potential to add value by processing cassava into gari (a fermented, roasted, and dried granule) and its marketing at the farm level. These were supplemented by a critical review of policies and programmes, including trend analysis of cultivated area, production, yield and prices of major crops including cassava at the national level covering the period 1970–2009. The study surveyed 315 cassava producers (including 278 gari processors), 105 marketers involved in cassava marketing and 30 stakeholders from three regions in the Delta State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics are used to analyse the socio-economic characteristics of the sample. In addition, profitability of CRT and gari and their marketing were assessed by benefit-cost analysis. Furthermore, productivity and efficiency of CRT and gari and their determinants were analysed using non-parametric DEA followed by Tobit regressions. Results indicate that cassava production and processing is profitable in all regions and for all farm size categories. The BCR is estimated at 2.83 and 1.22 for CRT and gari, respectively. However, the yield level of CRT and gari is very low, estimated at 7.7 t/ha and 4.7 t/ha, respectively. Also, efficiency levels are very low and vary by farm size as well as regions, with large scale producers relatively more efficient. Marketing of cassava in any form is profitable and efficient (Marketing Efficiency>1 in all cases) and profitability varies widely across regions. Provision of water was identified as the main constraint in processing, followed by shortage of electricity and poor marketing infrastructure. The review of past policies and trend analysis revealed inconsistent policies and fluctuations in agricultural productivity, but also showed increases in total production mainly driven by expansion of the area cultivated during later years, for cassava in particular. The policy implications include: (a) increased provision of modern technologies, use of improved varieties and modern technology; (b) land reform policies to consolidate farm size; (c) investment in elements of marketing infrastructure; and (d) improvements in extension services. Despite inconsistencies in policies, cassava stood out as a robust and resistant crop which provides confidence that targeted investment in the cassava sector will contribute to development of Nigerian agriculture.

Oil is an important part of the Saudi economy. With the volatility of oil prices and the pressing needs of economic growth and development, the Saudi Arabian government has planned to diversify its sources of income. To this end, the majority of effort has focused on developing the non-oil export sectors, particularly in manufacturing. Despite government efforts to enhance the ratio of non-oil export to total exports, it remains weak, amounting to 15 per cent of total exports in 2010 (which compares unfavourably with the average for other Middle East and North Africa countries (MENA) which stood between 30-46 per cent in 2010). This research aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of non-oil exports and their financing in Saudi Arabia. This study uses unique, primary data, collected through a custom designed questionnaire and a unique sample of Saudi exports. There is currently no comparable database for Saudi firms, or for other MENA countries trying to engage in export diversification strategies. This dissertation comprises three main empirical parts which are; ownership structure and operations, finance, and business climate, respectively (chapters 3, 4 and 5). In the first, the econometric analysis shows multiple factors have a significant positive impact on export intensity, including: whether the firm is shareholding, the age of the firm, internationally and locally recognised quality certificate, length of export experience, supplies of domestic origin, independent retail stores, TV or radio advertising, a foreign language website and finally an export marketing plan. Regarding the impact of financial factors on exports at firm level, the econometric analysis showed that younger firms are more likely to be credit-constrained than older firms. Finally, this dissertation provides evidence of the relationship between the business environment, competition and firm’s exports. The main findings show that firm performance, measured as intensity of exports, is boosted by an increase in experience of export and hindered by a high level of labour, competition, custom and trade regulation, and the informal sector.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1999 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / Many view quality and productivity as competing concepts. After all, doesn’t high software quality come at a high cost? Doesn’t it mean that a large amount of "extra stuff" needs to be done during the software development cycle? And, doesn’t that mean that software productivity takes a back seat to (and a major hit from) quality efforts? This paper will explore these issues. This paper provides some preliminary data that supports how a disciplined software engineering process can (and has) resulted in high quality software while actually increasing productivity. Data has been gathered on organizations that have a disciplined, quality-oriented software engineering process in place. That data shows that quality and productivity can (and do) coexist. The data will be discussed along with an explanation of how these results can be achieved.

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objectives of this study were to investigate genetic parameters of early growth traits, lifetime ewe productivity (total number born, number weaned and weight weaned per ewe lifetime production) and testis measurements in the Merino flock maintained at the Tygerhoek Experimental Farm. Non-genetic fixed factors influencing these traits were evaluated by using appropriate models. The influence of non-genetic factors on preweaning lamb survival rate and the effect of scrotal circumference on ewe fertility was also studied. Fixed effect models were fitted to the data using either Procedure GLM or CATMOD in SAS (1996) depending on the parameters being estimated. Variance components were estimated by Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) procedures, fitting an animal model. Records of 8310 lambs born from 2538 ewes and sired by 681 rams covering the period 1970 to 1998 were used in the analysis of birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW) and preweaning average daily gain (ADG). All three traits were affected (p < 0.001) by type of birth of lambs (single, multiple), sex, year of birth of lambs, group of animals (selection, control) and age of dam at lambing (2- to 6-yr old). Male lambs and singles were heavier both at birth and weaning and grew faster (p < 0.001) than females and multiples, respectively. Non-selected animals were lighter than selected animals at birth and weaning with an inferior growth rate. BW increased with increasing dam age at lambing until a maximum of 3.7 kg was reached at 6-yr of age. However, WW and ADG reached a maximum at 4.5- and 4.2-yr of age, respectively. Variance components for BW, WW and ADG were estimated using Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) procedures. Four different animal models were fitted, differentiated by including or excluding maternal effects. The direct heritability estimates (h") ranged from 0.19 to 0.38, 0.25 to 0.40 and 0.26 to 0.40 for BW, WW and ADG, respectively. Estimates of direct heritability (h") were substantially higher when maternal effects were ignored. The direct heritability (h") estimate for BW decreased from 0.38 to 0.19 when both or either of the maternal effects, genetic or environmental, were fitted in the model. The h2 estimate for WW was 0.36 when both maternal effects were ignored from the model and decreased to 0.29 and 0.25 when maternal effects were fitted. A similar trend was observed for ADG. The maternal heritability (rn-) for BW ranged from 0.38 to 0.41 when only maternal additive genetic effects were fitted in the model, and decreased to 0.25 and 0.27 when the maternal permanent environmental effect (c") was fitted. The m" for WW and ADG ranged from 0.02 to 0.11 and from 0.01 to 0.10, respectively. The respective c2 estimates ranged from 0.05 to 0.10 and from 0.02 to 0.09. Moderate negative genetic correlations (ram) between direct and maternal additive genetic effects were observed in BW, while close to zero estimates were obtained for WW and ADG. The direct additive genetic correlation estimates between BW and WW and BW and ADG were 0.16 and 0.04, respectively. The corresponding maternal additive genetic correlation estimates were 0.93 and 0.60. The direct and maternal additive genetic correlation estimates between WW and ADG were 0.99 and 0.85, respectively. Data of 3272 lambing records collected on 818 ewes born from 689 dams and sired by 371 rams were used in the evaluation of ewe lifetime productivity (total number born, number weaned and total weight weaned). These records were collected from ewes born from 1969 to 1994 and gave birth from 1971 to 1999. Year of birth of ewe and ewe two-tooth liveweight affected (p < 0.001) the ewe reproduction traits investigated. Multiple born ewes were superior both in total number of lambs born and weaned than singles. Heritability estimates of 0.23, 0.17 and 0.20 were obtained for total number of lambs born (TLB), total number of lambs weaned (TLW) and total weight of lambs weaned per ewe lambing over four lambing opportunities (TWW), respectively. For total weight weaned per ewe lambing over the first lambing opportunity (TWWl) a heritability estimate of 0.02 was computed. Genetic correlation estimates of -0.10, 0.57 and 1.00 were obtained between TWW1 and TLB, TWW1 and TLW and TWWl and TWW, respectively. High and positive genetic correlations ranging from 0.61 to 0.92 were estimated between ewe lifetime reproduction traits. Data from 1380 rams born from 1986 to 1998 were used to investigate genetic parameters for scrotal circumference (SC), testis diameter (TD) and two-tooth liveweight (LW). The other objective of this study was to estimate the magnitude of the effect of SC on ewe fertility. Year of birth, selection group and LW were significant (p < 0.001) sources of variation both for SC and TD. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.29 to 0.40, 0.25 to 0.38 and 0.49 to 0.52 for SC, TD and LW, respectively. Adjustment for LW decreased heritability estimates of SC and TD by 11.0 and 8.0 %, respectively. The genetic correlation between SC and TD was unity. Rams with larger SC had a significant effect on ewe fertility (ewes lambing per ewe mated). Average survival rate from birth to 100 days of age was 0.79 and was influenced by lamb birth weight, year of birth, age of dam at lambing, type of birth (single, multiple) and sex of lambs. Lambs with a liveweight between 4.0 to 4.9 kg at birth showed the highest survival rate while lambs with a liveweight of:s 2.0 kg showed the lowest survival rate. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: '0 Genetiese studie van vroeë groei-eienskappe en ooiproduktiwiteit by Merinoskape: Die doel van die studie was om genetiese parameters VIr vroeë groei-eienskappe, ooileeftydsproduksie (totale aantal gebore, aantal gespeen en totale gewig gespeen) en testismaatstawwe in die Merinokudde van die Tygerhoek Navorsingstasie te beraam. Niegenetiese vaste effekte wat hierdie eienskappe beïnvloed, is met behulp van gepaste modelle geëvalueer. Die invloed van nie-genetiese faktore op voorspeense lamoorlewing en die invloed van skrotumomvang op ooivrugbaarheid is ook ondersoek. Vaste-effek modelle is, afhangende van die parameters wat beraam is, deur middel van of die GLM of CATMOD prosedures van SAS (1996) op die data gepas. Variansiekomponente is met behulp van die Beperkte Maksimum Aanneemlikheidsprosedure (REML), deur die passing van 'n dieremodel, beraam. Rekords van 8310 lammers wat tussen 1970 en 1998 van 2538 ooie gebore is en die nageslag van 681 ramme was, is vir die ontleding van geboortegewig (BW), speengewig (WW) en voorspeense daaglikse toename (ADG) gebruik. Al drie eienskappe is deur geboortestatus (enkeling, meerling), geslag, jaar van geboorte, groep (seleksie, kontrole) en ouderdom van die moeder met lamming (2- tot 6-jr oud) beïnvloed (p<0.001). Ramlammers en enkelinge was met beide geboorte en speen swaarder en het vinniger (p<O.OOI) as onderskeidelik ooilammers en meerlinge gegroei. Nie-geselekteerde lammers was ligter as dié van die seleksiegroep met beide geboorte en speen en het ook stadiger gegroei. BW het met toename in moederouderdom tot 'n maksimum van 3.7 kg by 6-jr oud ooie gestyg. Maksimum WW en ADG is egter by 3- en 5 jr oud ooie onderskeidelik bereik. Variansiekomponente vir BW, WW en ADG is met behulp van Beperkte Maksimum Aanneemlikheidsprosedures (REML) beraam. Vier verskillende modelle is gepas, waarin mateme effekte óf in- óf uitgelaat is. Die direkte oorerflikhede (h2 ) het van 0.19 tot 0.38, 0.25 tot 0.40 en 0.26 tot 0.40 vir BW, WW en ADG onderskeidelik gevarieer. Beramings van die direkte oorerflikheid (h2 ) was aansienlik hoër waar die mateme effekte geïgnoreer is. Die direkte oorerflikheidsberaming (h2 ) vir BW het vanaf 0.38 tot 0.19 verlaag toe beide of een van die mateme effekte, geneties of omgewings, in die model ingesluit is. Die h2 beraming vir WW was 0.36 toe beide mateme effekte geïgnoreer is en het tot 0.29 en 0.25 gedaal toe beide in die model gepas is. 'n Soortegelyke tendens is vir ADG waargeneem. Die mateme oorerflikheid (rrr') van BW het vanaf 0.38 tot 0.41 gevarieer waar slegs die direkte mateme effek gepas is maar tot 0.25 en 0.27 gedaal toe die mateme permanente omgewingseffek (c2 ) additioneel gepas is. Die m2 vir WW en ADG het onderskeidelik van 0.02 tot 0.11 en van 0.0 I tot 0.10 gewissel. Die ooreenstemmende c2 beramings het vanaf 0.05 tot 0.10 en vanaf 0.02 tot 0.09 gewissel. Matige negatiewe genetiese korrelasies (ram) tussen die direkte en mateme genetiese effekte is vir BW gevind, terwyl bykans zero beramings vir beide WW en ADG gevind is. Die direkte genetiese korrelasies tussen BW en WW en tussen BW en ADG was onderskeidelik 0.16 en 0.04. Die ooreenstemmende mateme genetiese korrelasies was 0.93 en 0.60. Die genetiese korrelasies tussen die direkte en mateme genetiese effekte tussen WW en ADG was onderskeidelik 0.99 en 0.85. Data van 3272 lamrekords van 818 ooie vanaf689 moeders en 371 vaders is vir die evaluasie van ooileeftydsproduktiwiteit (totale aantal gebore, aantal gespeen en totale speengewig) gebruik. Hierdie rekords is van ooie wat tussen 1971 en 1999 gelam het, versamel. Jaar van geboorte van die ooi en ooi-tweetandgewig het die reproduksie-eienskappe ondersoek, beïnvloed (p<O.OOI). Meerlinggebore ooie was beter as enkelgebore ooie ten opsigte van aantal lammers gebore en gespeen. Oorerflikheidsberamings van onderskeidelik 0.23, 0.17 en 0.20 is vir aantal lammers gebore (TLB), totale aantal lammers gespeen (TLW) en totale gewig oor vier lamgeleenthede gespeen (TWW), gevind. Vir totale gewig per ooi met die eerste lamgeleentheid gespeen (TWWJ), is 'n oorerflikheidsberaming van 0.02 bereken. Genetiese korrelasies van -0.10, 0.57 en 1.00 is onderskeidelik tussen TWW, en TLB, TWW, en TLW en TWW, en TWW beraam. Hoë en positiewe genetiese korrelasies wat tussen 0.61 en 0.92 gevarieer het, is tussen ooileeftydsreproduksie-eienskappe beraam. Data van 1380 ramme wat tussen 1986 en 1998 gebore is, is gebruik om genetiese parameters van skrotumomvang (SC), testisdeursnee (TD) en tweetandgewig (LW) te beraam. 'n Ander doel van die ondersoek was om die effek van SC op ooivrugbaarheid te ondersoek. Jaar van geboorte, seleksiegroep en LW was betekenisvolle (p<0.001) bronne van variasie vir beide SC en TD. Oorerflikheidsberamings het van 0.29 tot 0.40, 0.25 tot 0.38 en 0.49 tot 0.52 vir onderskeidelik SC, TD en LW gevarieer. Korrigering vir LW het die oorerflikhede van SC en TD met onderskeidelik 11.0 en 8.0 % verlaag. Die genetiese korrelasie tussen SC en TD was een. Ramme met hoër SC het 'n betekenisvolle invloed op ooivrugbaarheid (ooie gelam per ooie gepaar) gehad. Die gemiddelde oorlewingstempo vanaf geboorte tot 100 dae was 0.79 en is deur geboortegewig van die lam, jaar van geboorte, ouderdom van die ooi, geboortestatus (enkeling, meerling) en geslag van die lam beïnvloed. Lammers met 'n geboortegewig van tussen 4.0 en 4.9 kg het die hoogste oorlewingstempo gehad, terwyl lammers met 'n geboortegewig van ~2.0 kg die laagste oorlewingstempo gehad het.

published_or_final_version / Geography and Geology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management