The goal of this Ph.D. research is to explore the IPD contractual strategies, to highlight the elements that distinguish IPD from a traditional delivery approach, to analyze how trust-based relationships are established and promoted, and to demonstrate if/how trust and IPD contractual principles correlate. The result of this research will promote the understanding of the industry on the strategies that promote trust and integration through real world case studies. The significance of the subject becomes more evident when reflecting on the current industry's crisis: productivity loss, fragmented delivery process, and lack of trust and collaboration. Through a literature review a Project Delivery and Contracting Strategies (PDCS) framework, an IPD traits framework, and a trust-Building framework are developed. The frameworks are used as the organizational tools to structure and inquire relevant information on the two IPD projects. An expert panel is assembled to discuss the frameworks and the findings of literature analysis and to seek the industry's insight on the units of analysis for contract, and the units of measure for trust. The units of analysis for contract are elements, such as strategies for risks/rewards sharing, liability considerations, decision making authority, and governance. The units of measure for trust are the individuals' perception, and the trust-building attributes as outlined in table 4-1. Two IPD projects were selected and their contract agreements were studied. A questionnaire including both open-ended questions and multiple choice questions was developed based on the information collected through: 1. the IPD agreements in each case study, 2. the literature-based frameworks on trust and project delivery contracting strategies. Accordingly, two IPD case studies are developed following the analysis of their IPD agreements and the individual one-on-one interviews with their key IPD players. The trust-building framework presented in this work includes a series of techniques that the contracting parties can follow when establishing their contractual and managerial strategies and also when interacting with each other. / Ph. D.

The quantitative estimation of reservoir properties directly from seismic data is a major goal of reservoir characterization. Integrated reservoir characterization makes use of different varieties of well and seismic data to construct detailed spatial estimates of petrophysical and fluid reservoir properties. The advantage of data integration is the generation of consistent and accurate reservoir models that can be used for reservoir optimization, management and development. This is particularly valuable in mature field settings where hydrocarbons are known to exist but their exact location, pay, lateral variations and other properties are poorly defined. Recent approaches of reservoir characterization make use of individual seismic attributes to estimate inter-well reservoir properties. However, these attributes share a considerable amount of information among them and can lead to spurious correlations. An alternative approach is to evaluate reservoir properties using multiple seismic attributes. This study reports the results of an investigation of the use of multivariate seismic attributes to predict lateral reservoir properties of gross thickness, net thickness, gross effective porosity, net-to-gross ratio and net reservoir porosity thickness product. This approach uses principal component analysis and principal factor analysis to transform eighteen relatively correlated original seismic attributes into a set of mutually orthogonal or independent PC??s and PF??s which are designated as multivariate seismic attributes. Data from the N-sand interval of Vermilion Block 50 field, Gulf of Mexico, was used in this study. Multivariate analyses produced eighteen PC??s and three PF??s grid maps. A collocated cokriging geostaistical technique was used to estimate the spatial distribution of reservoir properties of eighteen wells penetrating the N-sand interval. Reservoir property maps generated by using multivariate seismic attributes yield highly accurate predictions of reservoir properties when compared to predictions produced with original individual seismic attributes. To the contrary of the original seismic attribute results, predicted reservoir properties of the multivariate seismic attributes honor the lateral geological heterogeneities imbedded within seismic data and strongly maintain the proposed geological model of the N-sand interval. Results suggest that multivariate seismic attribute technique can be used to predict various reservoir properties and can be applied to a wide variety of geological and geophysical settings.

The quantitative estimation of reservoir properties directly from seismic data is a major goal of reservoir characterization. Integrated reservoir characterization makes use of different varieties of well and seismic data to construct detailed spatial estimates of petrophysical and fluid reservoir properties. The advantage of data integration is the generation of consistent and accurate reservoir models that can be used for reservoir optimization, management and development. This is particularly valuable in mature field settings where hydrocarbons are known to exist but their exact location, pay, lateral variations and other properties are poorly defined. Recent approaches of reservoir characterization make use of individual seismic attributes to estimate inter-well reservoir properties. However, these attributes share a considerable amount of information among them and can lead to spurious correlations. An alternative approach is to evaluate reservoir properties using multiple seismic attributes. This study reports the results of an investigation of the use of multivariate seismic attributes to predict lateral reservoir properties of gross thickness, net thickness, gross effective porosity, net-to-gross ratio and net reservoir porosity thickness product. This approach uses principal component analysis and principal factor analysis to transform eighteen relatively correlated original seismic attributes into a set of mutually orthogonal or independent PC??s and PF??s which are designated as multivariate seismic attributes. Data from the N-sand interval of Vermilion Block 50 field, Gulf of Mexico, was used in this study. Multivariate analyses produced eighteen PC??s and three PF??s grid maps. A collocated cokriging geostaistical technique was used to estimate the spatial distribution of reservoir properties of eighteen wells penetrating the N-sand interval. Reservoir property maps generated by using multivariate seismic attributes yield highly accurate predictions of reservoir properties when compared to predictions produced with original individual seismic attributes. To the contrary of the original seismic attribute results, predicted reservoir properties of the multivariate seismic attributes honor the lateral geological heterogeneities imbedded within seismic data and strongly maintain the proposed geological model of the N-sand interval. Results suggest that multivariate seismic attribute technique can be used to predict various reservoir properties and can be applied to a wide variety of geological and geophysical settings.

Since the 1970s when the first destination image studies were performed, this topic has become one of the most predominant in the tourism marketing literature. Destination image within the tourism industry is essential, as most tourism products are services rather than physical goods, and can often only compete by means of the image they portray. The image of a specific destination is a major element in the final decision when selecting the destination. Both positive and negative images occur, together having a great impact on the travel and tourism industry. Destinations therefore have to create images of their location and what they have to offer to help differentiate them from their competition. Therefore, potential tourists rely on their mental images when deciding to visit one destination over another. Different influences emerge within tourist decisions, which affect their ultimate experience. It is therefore clear that, to understand tourists‟ needs and wants, relationship building is important and this could assist with the marketing of products or services. Marketing plays a central part in tourism, since consumers need to travel to a certain destination to see, feel or test the product that is to be purchased and evaluated. Image is formed based on three main components. These are: cognitive (what one knows about a destination), affective (how one feels about what one knows) and conative components (how one acts on this information). To date, various image models have been developed. However, none of these have been applied to, tested in, or developed for South Africa. It is therefore important to know how tourists formulate a destinations‟ image as well as what influences their image regarding a destination. Therefore, to achieve this and the goal of this study, which is to develop a framework for the optimisation of the image of South Africa as a tourism destination, a comprehensive review of marketing and destination image literature was performed, subsequent to which the research was conducted. After having conducted the literature review and gathered expert advice and opinions, various literature-based attributes were identified. A total of sixty-three attributes were acknowledged whereafter these were sifted and grouped into Cognitive, Affective and Conative attributes. After taking expert advice into consideration, these attributes were once again sifted and it was determined whether they were applicable for this research. A total of fifty-seven attributes remained important and formed part of the questionnaire. Forty-two attributes were Cognitive, twelve Affective and three Conative. The research was conducted at the international departure area of a major international airport in South Africa. The respondents consisted of international tourists that were returning to their home countries after visiting South Africa. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed of which 474 questionnaires were obtained. Of these, 451 questionnaires were usable for this study, as 23 questionnaires were incomplete and not usable. The number of questionnaires was therefore representative of the target population and further analysis. After the questionnaires for this study were gathered, the primary data was captured and analysed. Different types of data analyses were used in this study: Firstly, descriptive analysis to determine findings concerning the demographic profile of respondents and the respondent‟s travel behaviour whilst visiting South Africa. Secondly, factor analyses to factorise the image attributes into image factors; and to factorise external aspects into factors and determine how these affect image formation. Thirdly, ANOVAs (One-way analysis of variance) were conducted where more than two categories formed part of the question, t-tests were conducted to compare the image factors with questions consisting of only two categories and Spearman rank correlations were conducted to describe the strength and direction of the linear relationship between selected variables. Finally, Structural Equation Modelling was used to empirically test the framework and evaluate how well the data supports the hypothesised model. The first factor analysis resulted in 13 reliable and valid factors, which consisted of the cognitive, affective and conative image attributes. These factors, together with the factors of the second factor analysis (Media, Political and Iconic aspects) were used as constructs in the Structural Equation Modelling analysis. After having combined the results of all the different analyses, a framework was developed that identifies the aspects influencing South Africa‟s image. Some of the main findings were that media, political happenings and iconic aspects directly influenced cognitive, affective and conative images. Novel to this study was the significant influence of icons. Interestingly, demographic information only affects cognitive image and neither affective nor conative image. Travel behaviour contributes to the formation of cognitive, affective and conative image.However, surprisingly, the lack of influence from travel agents and travel guides was also depicted in the results. This framework emphasises the importance of pre-, onsite and post-experiences as well as communication in image formation. This study contributes academically, methodologically and practically. Academic contributions include empirically testing the framework, which significantly contributes to literature; and the innovative inclusion and assessment of icons adds a new dimension to image formation in literature. From a methodological point of view, it is clear that the analyses of all influencing aspects are challenging and not standardised. The types of analyses applied in this study enhanced the in-depth analyses of the data that was then included into one framework. The data was empirically tested and found to be reliable. The empirical testing of all aspects in a South African context was different and innovative, which finally created a detailed picture of South Africa‟s image as a tourism destination. Finally, the practical contribution of this study is that the framework developed for this study can be used by tourism organisations of various types in planning and implementing marketing strategies. The framework can direct their advertising and staff training; and improve the general tourism product of South Africa. The framework can also be applied to other tourism destinations. Clear recommendations were made regarding the focus of marketing strategies and building the image of South Africa. It was recommended that the framework developed in this study be implemented by national tourism organisations such as SA Tourism, as well as provincial organisations such as Tourism Boards. Product owners can benefit from the framework by considering some of the influential aspects in their product development and marketing strategies. Lastly, all marketing strategies and plans for South Africa should be focused on improving the cognitive, affective and conative image of South Africa. / PhD (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Since the 1970s when the first destination image studies were performed, this topic has become one of the most predominant in the tourism marketing literature. Destination image within the tourism industry is essential, as most tourism products are services rather than physical goods, and can often only compete by means of the image they portray. The image of a specific destination is a major element in the final decision when selecting the destination. Both positive and negative images occur, together having a great impact on the travel and tourism industry. Destinations therefore have to create images of their location and what they have to offer to help differentiate them from their competition. Therefore, potential tourists rely on their mental images when deciding to visit one destination over another. Different influences emerge within tourist decisions, which affect their ultimate experience. It is therefore clear that, to understand tourists‟ needs and wants, relationship building is important and this could assist with the marketing of products or services. Marketing plays a central part in tourism, since consumers need to travel to a certain destination to see, feel or test the product that is to be purchased and evaluated. Image is formed based on three main components. These are: cognitive (what one knows about a destination), affective (how one feels about what one knows) and conative components (how one acts on this information). To date, various image models have been developed. However, none of these have been applied to, tested in, or developed for South Africa. It is therefore important to know how tourists formulate a destinations‟ image as well as what influences their image regarding a destination. Therefore, to achieve this and the goal of this study, which is to develop a framework for the optimisation of the image of South Africa as a tourism destination, a comprehensive review of marketing and destination image literature was performed, subsequent to which the research was conducted. After having conducted the literature review and gathered expert advice and opinions, various literature-based attributes were identified. A total of sixty-three attributes were acknowledged whereafter these were sifted and grouped into Cognitive, Affective and Conative attributes. After taking expert advice into consideration, these attributes were once again sifted and it was determined whether they were applicable for this research. A total of fifty-seven attributes remained important and formed part of the questionnaire. Forty-two attributes were Cognitive, twelve Affective and three Conative. The research was conducted at the international departure area of a major international airport in South Africa. The respondents consisted of international tourists that were returning to their home countries after visiting South Africa. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed of which 474 questionnaires were obtained. Of these, 451 questionnaires were usable for this study, as 23 questionnaires were incomplete and not usable. The number of questionnaires was therefore representative of the target population and further analysis. After the questionnaires for this study were gathered, the primary data was captured and analysed. Different types of data analyses were used in this study: Firstly, descriptive analysis to determine findings concerning the demographic profile of respondents and the respondent‟s travel behaviour whilst visiting South Africa. Secondly, factor analyses to factorise the image attributes into image factors; and to factorise external aspects into factors and determine how these affect image formation. Thirdly, ANOVAs (One-way analysis of variance) were conducted where more than two categories formed part of the question, t-tests were conducted to compare the image factors with questions consisting of only two categories and Spearman rank correlations were conducted to describe the strength and direction of the linear relationship between selected variables. Finally, Structural Equation Modelling was used to empirically test the framework and evaluate how well the data supports the hypothesised model. The first factor analysis resulted in 13 reliable and valid factors, which consisted of the cognitive, affective and conative image attributes. These factors, together with the factors of the second factor analysis (Media, Political and Iconic aspects) were used as constructs in the Structural Equation Modelling analysis. After having combined the results of all the different analyses, a framework was developed that identifies the aspects influencing South Africa‟s image. Some of the main findings were that media, political happenings and iconic aspects directly influenced cognitive, affective and conative images. Novel to this study was the significant influence of icons. Interestingly, demographic information only affects cognitive image and neither affective nor conative image. Travel behaviour contributes to the formation of cognitive, affective and conative image.However, surprisingly, the lack of influence from travel agents and travel guides was also depicted in the results. This framework emphasises the importance of pre-, onsite and post-experiences as well as communication in image formation. This study contributes academically, methodologically and practically. Academic contributions include empirically testing the framework, which significantly contributes to literature; and the innovative inclusion and assessment of icons adds a new dimension to image formation in literature. From a methodological point of view, it is clear that the analyses of all influencing aspects are challenging and not standardised. The types of analyses applied in this study enhanced the in-depth analyses of the data that was then included into one framework. The data was empirically tested and found to be reliable. The empirical testing of all aspects in a South African context was different and innovative, which finally created a detailed picture of South Africa‟s image as a tourism destination. Finally, the practical contribution of this study is that the framework developed for this study can be used by tourism organisations of various types in planning and implementing marketing strategies. The framework can direct their advertising and staff training; and improve the general tourism product of South Africa. The framework can also be applied to other tourism destinations. Clear recommendations were made regarding the focus of marketing strategies and building the image of South Africa. It was recommended that the framework developed in this study be implemented by national tourism organisations such as SA Tourism, as well as provincial organisations such as Tourism Boards. Product owners can benefit from the framework by considering some of the influential aspects in their product development and marketing strategies. Lastly, all marketing strategies and plans for South Africa should be focused on improving the cognitive, affective and conative image of South Africa. / PhD (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This study aims at understanding the decision to buy "Made in Mozambique" products, which is important for developing marketing strategy and promoting national products. To explore the factors influencing consumers' buying decisions, means-end theory and its associated methodology provide a useful framework for understanding why people buy "Made in Mozambique" rice by characterising the relationships between the attributes, consequences associated with those attributes, and the values those consequences help reinforce. Methodology: a total of 20 consumers were interviewed. It is important to mention that only rice was used in this study. The laddering interviewing technique was then used to link these chains of meanings. Analyses and interpretation of the resulting data provide an effective complement for studying consumer purchasing motives and suggest recommendations for managerial practice and future research efforts. Summary of the study findings include: (i) Attributes: Quality, cost, national; (ii) Consequences: healthy, well-being, affordable, trust, contribution, and fulfillment; and (iii) Values: Feeling happy, longevity and self-esteem.The theoretical component of this research covers the definition and discussion of Means-end theory and consumer decision-making. / Industrial Psychology / M.A. (Industrial & Organisational Psychology)

The relative political stability in Uganda resulted In increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and growth in several national/multi-national organisations. Furthermore, business leadership in Uganda has experienced change as the older generation hand over the reins to the younger generation of business leaders who are relatively more exposed to the Mrican management philosophy and leadership models which are congruent with African culture and contextual issues. This study investigated within a Ugandan context, leadership attributes that are perceived as contributors to or inhibitors of outstanding leadership. It then determine whether, when analysed by ethnicity (i.e. Bantu speaking versus non-Bantu speaking), the researcher could identify meaningful differences in the culturally endorsed leadership profiles; and link societal cultural attlibutes to preferred leadership attributes. A triangulation method was used to conduct this cross-cultural research, which combined archival data, a quantitative survey and personal interviews. The sample comprised of 163 junior, middle and senior managers from over 15 organisations within Uganda. An adapted version of Project GLOBE questionnaire was used for the quantitative survey, and results showed that out of the nine societal cultural dimensions, only Power Distance and Institutional Collectivism cultural dimensions indicate significant differences between Bantu speaking as compared to non-Bantu speaking managers. Furthermore, out of the six leadership dimensions only Humane Orientation and Charismatic / Value Based leadership dimensions, indicated significant differences between the above mentioned. However, these results contrasted some avers of the personal interviews. The study concludes that societal cultural differences do exist between the Bantu speaking and non-Bantu speaking managers and this may require some marginal differences In the leadership attributes that a leader portrays. Nevertheless, irrespective of ethnicity, the most preferred leaders' attributes in Uganda are Decisiveness, Performance Oriented and Charisma 2: Inspirational; whilst the least preferred leaders' attributes were Face-Saver, Self Centred and Malevolent. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / D. Econ. (Business Leadership)

This study focuses on the concept of resilience, and seeks to determine the nature, and role, of personal attributes in adolescents' ability to bounce back from life's blows, and continue determinedly along the path of self-actualisation. The personal attributes impacting on the ability to surmount life's challenges are delineated by an empirical study focussing on twenty learning-disabled adolescents, half of whom demonstrate resilience, and half of whom appear to have turned their backs on self-actualisation. The study aims to provide educational psychologists with an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon of resilience, so that vulnerable youngsters might ultimately be therapeutically assisted to choose a more resilient attitude and behaviour. The results of the study delineate nine definite personal attributes which anchor resilience and promote self-actualisation, despite obstacle-ridden circumstances. Furthermore, results suggest that personal choice underlies resilience, implying that intervention targeted at inculcating resilience may well be a worthwhile exercise. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed.(Guidance and Counselling)

The context of this research is the coping and wellness of call centre agents in a characteristically high-stress work environment. The purpose of the study was to construct a psychological coping profile by investigating the relationship between individuals‘ wellness-related dispositional attributes and their resiliency-related behavioural capacities which has been under researched in a call centre work environment. A quantitative cross-sectional survey approach was followed. The population comprised predominantly of a non –probability sample of (N=409) predominantly early career permanently employed black females employed in call centres in Africa. Correlation and multivariate statistics highlighted cognitive (cynicism and hardy-control), affective (managing own emotions) and conative (hardy-commitment) behavioural elements that should be considered in the psychological coping profile of call centre agents. Age and gender were also shown to be significant moderators of the relationship between the wellness-related attributes and the resiliency-related capacities. The main findings are reported and interpreted in terms of an empirically derived psychological coping profile. The findings may provide valuable pointers for the design of wellness intervention practices which add to the body of knowledge concerned with employee wellness in call centres / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

ITC/USA 2011 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Seventh Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 24-27, 2011 / Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada / The Western Aeronautical Test Range (WATR) staff at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center is developing a translation software called Chapter 10 Tools in response to challenges posed by post-flight processing data files originating from various on-board digital recorders that follow the Range Commanders Council Inter-Range Instrumentation Group (IRIG) 106 Chapter 10 Digital Recording Standard but use differing interpretations of the Standard. The software will read the date files regardless of the vendor implementation of the source recorder, displaying data, identifying and correcting errors, and producing a data file that can be successfully processed post-flight.