This research was conducted in the Sekhukhune District in Limpopo Province with a particular focus on the Department of Education's Malokela circuit. The main purpose of this study was to probe how school governing body (SGB) stakeholders work collaboratively to manage school finances and implement finance policy effectively in the public schools of Limpopo Province. The following research question was used to investigate the problem: How collaboratively do school governing bodies (SGBs) govern the financial affairs of public primary schools in the Malokela Circuit of Limpopo Province? It is in the interest of schools and their learners that SGB stakeholders work collaboratively to effectively manage school finances and properly implement finance policies. The identified problem was investigated by means of a qualitative research approach, using semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample from two selected public primary schools in the Malokela Circuit in Limpopo Province. The qualitative research approach was considered suitable because the study was intended to be an exploratory one aimed at gaining a better understanding of a phenomenon. The case study was used as a research design; it was assumed to be more appropriate for this research because it helped the researcher understand how people interact with, and relate to, one another. The research findings revealed that governing bodies in public primary schools are faced with many problems which, among others, include levels of education of stakeholders, especially parents, and their lack of knowledge and the skills needed to execute their duties when they are required to perform their roles and carry out their responsibilities in managing school finances. In order for public schools to meet these challenges successfully, this research makes a number of recommendations based on conclusions reached from findings. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Education Management and Policy Studies / MEd / Unrestricted

This is a theoretical research report that advocates the achievement of competitiveness in formulating strategies of co-operation with industry participants through the establishment of collaborative networks. A collaborative network is reviewed from a theoretical perspective to add insight into the subject as a mechanism for firms to achieve competitiveness and sustainability. The theory of collaborative networks is explored further in identifying the interdependent components of collaborative networks to better understand their establishment and management. The literature on government policy is also examined from an industry competitiveness perspective, with particular emphasis on the influence of government policy in ensuring successful collaborative networks that achieve industry competitiveness.By using a single case design in the South African Automotive Sector, the interdependent components are linked to the organisational design of the collaborative network. The research was exploratory in developing and extending the theory into an integrated model in assessing the competitiveness of the automotive industry.The research found that the ability to participate in a collaborative network is a strategic resource that firms need to acquire. The research confirmed the establishment and development of the network structure, strategy, dynamics and culture as the enabling platform for successful collaboration with in a network. The research found that the governance structures within the collaborative network are critical in establishing the balance between competition and co-operation and in evolving relationships into partnerships that define the collaborative network as a strategic organisation. The research also found collaborative networks are unique manifestations that achieve efficiencies beyond economic benefit for the participants of the network to the achievement of socio-economic benefit for the industry in the form of entrepreneurship development, job creation and skills transfer. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Magister Artium - MA / This mini-thesis thesis intends to grapple with silences by looking the possibilities of reconceptualising archives through notions of “traces,” “absence,” and “fragments.” Examining archives as bodies of knowledge, a window to telling us something about pastpresent- future representations is to think about navigating archives of colonialism and slavery as sites of historical memory. The aim of this paper is to enter the pedagogical problem of remembering and gendered representational voids by seeking to explore how artistic representations offer insights in the absence of detail in the colonial archives. In exploring the relationship between bodies, remembering and the historical trauma of slavery and colonialisation, specifically in relation to historical corporeal and flesh narratives attached to indigenous black women, and how women negotiate these meanings through embodied interventions in (post-) slavery South Africa. The positioning of the body as an archive probes questions on how the memory of traumatic wounding in a (post-)slavery South Africa body politics are inscribed to convey meaning, memory and identity. The notions of embodiment that this thesis is concerned with asks in what ways can we creatively and imaginatively re-construct, outside of conventional historiographies and knowledge(s), that which has been disembowled through colonial dominating narratives of enslaved subjects?

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Abstract Background: Innovation is a key factor in the development of new businesses as well as in the sustainable success of existing organisations. Especially for family businesses, innovation is the main strategic instrument to ensure economic growth, prosperity, and transgenerational survival. However, many organisations are unable to achieve success by themselves; thus, collaborative innovation becomes increasingly important. While collaborative innovation with start-ups is highly promising for corporations, it remains unclear how feasible the decision for this approach is for family firms due to their distinct attributes. Purpose: This thesis aims to research how particular family business attributes influence the decision for collaborative innovation with start-ups. Thereby we contribute to existing academic literature and provide valuable insights for family firms to further increase their innovation potential. Method: To fulfil the purpose of this exploratory research study, secondary data, in the scope of a literature review as well as additional valuable sources and primary data, in the form of qualitative interviews, are gathered. The in-depth interviews allow us to collect responses on sensitive information on firm insights, while triangulation with secondary data enables us to generate a deep understanding of different perspectives significant to this study. In total, ten semi-structured interviews from six family businesses are conducted. Later, Grounded Theory is used for analysing the data. Conclusion: The results show that two of the examined attributes, namely risk aversion and unwillingness to collaborate with external partners, have a negative influence on the decision for collaborative innovation with start-ups. The other two attributes, long-term orientation and unwillingness to invest in innovation purposes both demonstrate ambivalent findings. Thus, their influence cannot be clearly evidenced in this study.

This thesis reports on a pilot project which was developed to meet the needs of specific research groups for a collaborative workspace. The main components of the project include a digital library, online discussion forum, adaptive hypermedia engine and a statement database. Such a system was deemed necessary because of today's global network of researchers who are divided by both location and time. The need therefore exists for a system which allows researchers to work on a project without the need to be in the same physical location. Such a system is called an online collaborative workspace. An online collaborative workspace allows researchers to work together on projects by providing various means of sharing information and resources. The main research question addressed in this study is:  What are the user requirements and design specifications of an online collaborative workspace developed in open source software? In order to answer this main question, the following sub-questions need to be addressed:  What are the main design principles and functionalities of such a collaborative workspace?  How can they be integrated in developing a modular open source framework?  To what extent can such a framework be customised for implementation in new or existing collaborative projects?  What are the usability requirements of such an online collaborative workspace and how should one go about to test the usability of such a framework? Before being able to accurately determine the user requirements of an online collaborative workspace, we first need to determine which features exist in current systems. The main question driving the literature survey therefore is:  What are the main components of current online collaborative workspaces as reported in the literature? Chapter 2 of this report is devoted to identifying and researching the various components that define an online collaborative workspace. Each of these components are investigated in detail by means of informal interviews as well as a literature survey. The components that were identified include a digital library, online discussion forum and collaborative workspace. In addition to identifying the various components, this chapter also addresses the motivation for the use of open source software and the importance of usability. With the information obtained in chapter 2, chapter 3 sets out to develop a framework which addresses each of the components that were identified. The various features and properties of each component were identified and decisions were made with regard to the best method of implementation. In addition to the components that were developed, this chapter also focuses on various design implications such as modularity and the use of open source software. Chapter 4 describes the various projects where the framework was implemented. For each of the projects the user requirements, customisations and usability issues are addressed. This chapter highlights the framework's ability to be customised to suit the diverse needs of research projects. The final chapter provides a set of conclusions summarising how the main objectives of the study were addressed. Moreover, the limitations of the study are addressed and an outline is provided as to how these limitations are to be addressed in future work. / Dissertation (MIS (Multimedia))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Information Science / unrestricted

Trends in teacher education increasingly emphasize the need for quality ongoing teacher professional development that is accessible, flexible, fosters advanced skillset development, and has the power to change teachers' practice. Participatory approaches to learning that are situated, collaborative, dialogic, and inquiry-oriented promote the development of such knowledge, skills, and practices within professional communities of practice and form a foundation for quality teacher professional development. Current online and collaborative technologies offer significant access, flexibility, and economic advantages and afford individuals ways to connect with others without time and space restrictions, making online teacher professional development possible. Online learning environments where deep knowledge and complex understanding emerge through dialogue and collaboration within communities of practice must be carefully designed. These learning environments are typically context-dependent, and the design solutions and their implementation may vary substantially. Therefore, these designs must be guided by the most current theoretical understanding and best instructional and design practices. Research in this dissertation adds to our understanding of effective online teacher professional development design, development, and implementation practices by responding to a local problem of redesigning existing teacher professional development courses into an online modality. This dissertation is presented in a three-article format. The first article is an integrative literature review. It contributes by bringing together theories, frameworks, and practices from several different disciplines and could inform online participatory professional development design solutions across various contexts. The second article is a design case featuring a template designed to support progressive knowledge-building discourse, a fundamental feature connecting multiple characteristics that contribute to effective teacher professional development. The third article presents findings from a self-study of design practice. It provides insight into decision-making during purposefully employing technology to meet pedagogical needs during the design process. This study demonstrates that aligning technology and pedagogy is feasible. The concept of pedagogical intent is proposed as a potentially valuable guiding principle that could enable such alignment while designing technology-mediated instruction. Designing high-quality online teacher professional development is a complex yet worthwhile endeavor. This dissertation offers valuable information about theoretical grounding related to designing online professional development, ways that productive dialogue and collaboration can be supported online, and the importance of technology-pedagogy alignment during the design process. We are only beginning to understand what works in online teacher professional development and why it works. More research is needed to identify theoretical frameworks, principles, and processes that could guide both practitioners and researchers in its design, development, implementation, and evaluation.

Throughout the history of Western art music, the Bible has been a rich source of inspiration for many composers. Driven by their own spiritual beliefs, they create faith-inspired pieces, conveying the meaning of the texts. Shinuh Lee (b. 1969) approaches biblical texts to not only express her profound Christian faith, but also reflect the origins and nature of human existence, pondering the universal pain and emotions that humans suffer in the world, providing a consoling message. This dissertation explores the beliefs Lee holds, and studies the unique compositional language used to express her own faith and a Christian message. The first and second chapters provide an overview of Lee’s biography and compositional background and style, dividing it into two periods that reflect this shift in her approach. The third chapter explores several composers who took inspiration from the Bible and Christianity, and how they drew inspiration from, and expressed belief in, their music, examining their influence on Lee and her compositional style. The fourth chapter includes a brief presentation of Lee’s selected works for solo instrument and piano. The fifth chapter presents a detailed analysis of Lament, O–the Daughter of Zion, exploring the interrelationship between text and music, and musical form and motives, facilitating a more authentic and well-rounded performance.

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