Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An alarming rate of HIV/AIDS in the country has compelled the Government of Lesotho to make changes in the labour act; to accommodate HIV/AIDS in the workplace. In order to assist businesses in complying with the labour Act requirements, the Government put in place guidelines, aimed at assisting businesses in the development and implementation of workplace HIV/AIDS policies and programmes. However, it has been observed SMEs have not been utilising these guidelines. The purpose of the study therefore is to establish the level of knowledge SMEs have about the Government guidelines; to determine whether they have existing workplace HIV/AIDS policies; and establish the challenges SMEs face in using the guidelines to implement workplace HIV/AIDS policies and programmes; with the purpose of providing guidelines for support in the implementation of workplace HIV/AIDS policies. The results show 46.7% and 46% of employers and employees respectively is not aware of the guidelines. There were only five managers who indicated they have policy in place. Only 21 employees were aware of the existence of HIV/AIDS workplace policies at their work. There were various challenges that were stipulated by the SMEs. Some businesses pointed out they did have the expertise and financial strength to develop and implement HIV/AIDS workplace policies. Further it was stated the guidelines were not clear, therefore could not be put in practice. It is therefore essential to ensure training is provided to SMEs and their employees; to ensure they do understand what is required of them. It is also imperative to make sure those who are in financial need are also assisted. The other important aspect that needs to be addressed during training is why HIV/AIDS should be treated as a workplace issue. This will enlighten SMEs on the importance of developing and implementing workplace policies and programmes. Thus they will understand the benefits of effective management of HIV/AIDS in the workplace; which can be brought about by effective HIV/AIDS policies and programmes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Kommerwekkende koers van MIV/VIGS in die land het die Lesotho regering gedwing om veranderinge in die Arbeids wet aan te bring, om sodoende MIV/VIGS in die werkplek te akkomodeer. Om besighede te help om die Arbeids wet se riglyne na te kom, het die regering sekere riglyne in plek gestel wat daarop gemik is om MIV/VIGS programme te ontwikkel en implementeer in die werkplek. Dit is egter opgemerk dat KMG ondernemings nie die riglyne toe pas nie. Die doel van die studie is dus om vas te stel wat die vlak van kennis die KMG’s het in verband met die regering se riglyne; of hulle enige bestaande MIV/VIGS beleide in plek het en om die eise wat die implementering van die riglyne om ‘n MIV/VIGS beleid in die werkplek stel. Die doel is dus om die riglyne te voorsien wat die implementering van werkplek MIV/VIGS beleid ondersteun. Die resultate toon dat 46.7% en 46% van werkgewers en werknemers onderskeidelik, nie bewus is van die riglyne nie. Daar was slegs 5 bestuurders wat aangedui het dat daar wel ‘n beleid in plek is. Net 21 werknemers was bewus van die MIV/VIGS beleid by hul werk. Verskeie uitdagings is deur die KMG’s uitgewys. Sommige besighede het aangedui dat hulle wel die kennis en finansies om die MIV/VIGS beleid te ontwikkel en te implementer. Verder is ook aangedui dat die riglyne nie duidelik is nie en daarom nie geimplementeer kon word nie. Dit is daarom noodsaaklik om te verseker dat opleiding verskaf word aan die KMG’s en hul werknemers, om te verseker dat hulle verstaan wat van hulle verwag word. Ook is dit noodsaaklik dat persone wat finansiele hulp benodig ondersteun moet word. ‘n Ander belangrike aspek wat aangespreek moet word tydens opleiding is hoe MIV/VIGS behandel moet word in die werkplek. Dit sal vir KMG’s verlig hoe belangrik die ontwikkeling en implementeering van werkplak beleid en programme is. Sodoende sal hulle die voordele van effektiewe bestuur van MIV/VIGS in die werkplek, wat deur effektiewe MIV/VIGS beleid en programme te weeg gebring kan word, beter verstaan.

Thesis (M. Tech) (Tourism and Hospitality Management)) Central University of Technology, Free State, 2014 / Job stress and burnout can have a detrimental effect on the health of employees and their job performance. This is especially applicable to the hospitality industry which is a service-intensive industry where customer needs and wants are the most important focus. Organisational culture being defined as the social glue that helps bring the organisation together is seen in this case as the proper mechanism that managers could use to deal with the detrimental effects of job stress and burnout. This study assessed the impact of organisational culture on job stress and burnout in graded hospitality establishments in the Free State Province. The two main economic areas of the Free State, namely Bloemfontein and Clarence, were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was administered to all staff members in 46 graded accommodation establishments, and a total number of 227 questionnaires were collected for data analysis. The questionnaire consisted of a demographic section, an organisational culture section (based on the Competing Value Framework), a job stress section (based on Spielberger’s Job Stress Survey) and a burnout section (based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory). Data were interpreted using both descriptive and inferential statistics (including factor analysis and t-tests). The findings indicate that graded hospitality establishments had a predominantly Rational Culture, which points to strong external positioning and competitiveness. The Rational Culture is externally focused and does not adequately consider the needs of internal constituents – notably the employees. The cultural values associated with the Rational Culture are thus not as conducive in moderating job stress and burnout as the Group and Developmental Cultures. Appropriate recommendations are proposed in mitigating the effect of job stress and burnout in the hospitality industry.

Thesis (MA) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The relentless progression of HfV /AIDS epidemic has made it imperative that measures are put in place to minimise its impact on Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). mv is set to have a significant effect on every facet of the population, and SME is not immune. Business is likely to feel the impact ofmv/AIDS epidemic through reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, increased staff turnover, increased recruitment and training costs, increased cost of employee benefits and poor staff morale. One of the interventions is to implement a mv/AIDS policy and programme, yet a literature search showed that psychological studies of SME in implementing a mv/AIDS policy and programme are limited. The present study utilised the model of the theory of planned behaviour (Ajzen, 1985,1988, 1991), which is an extension of the theory of reasoned action (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975; Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980). Intention to implement a mv/AIDS policy and programme was predicted by the theory of planned behaviour constructs such as attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control. The theory of planned behaviour was found to be useful in assessing behavioural intention of SME in implementing a mv/AIDS policy and programme. These findings indicate that implementing an intervention like a mv/AIDS policy and programme by SMES is a behavioural intention motivated by attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die meedoënlose progressie van die HIVNIGS pandemie het dit gebiedend noodsaaklik gemaak om maatreëls daar te stelom die impak daarvan op klein en medium sakeondernemings te minimaliseer. HIVNIGS sal 'n beduidende uitwerking hê op alle vlakke van die bevolking. Klein en medium sakeondernemings is geen uitsondering nie. Die uitwerking van die HIVNIGS pandemie sal tot gevolg hê 'n afname in produktiwiteit; 'n toename in personeelafwesigheid, personeelomset, personeelwerwing en - opleidingskoste, personeelvoordele; en swak personeel moreel. Een manier om die probleem aan te spreek is om 'n HIVNIGS beleid en program te implimenteer. Ongelukkig toon literêre navorsing dat psigologiese studies van klein en medium sakeondernemings om 'n HIVNIGS beleid en program te implimenteer, beperk is. Dié navorsing steun op die teorie van planmatige gedrag (Ajzen, 1985; 1988; 1991), wat 'n verlenging is van die teorie van beredeneerde optrede (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975; Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980). Die oogmerk met die implimentering van 'n HIVNIGS beleid en program is bepaal deur die teorie van planmagtige gedrag soos waargeneem in geesteshouding, subjektiewe norme en waargenome beheerde gedrag. Daar is gevind dat die teorie van planmagtige gedrag nuttig is om die oogmerke en optrede van werknemers in klein en medium sakeondernemings te bepaal met die implimentering van 'n HIVNIGS beleid en program. Hierdie bevindings toon dat die implimentering en tussenkoms van 'n HIVNIGS beleid en program by klein en medium sakeondernemings'n gedragsoogmerk is wat gemotiveer word deur geesteshoudings, subjektiewe norme en waargenome beheerde gedrag.

Environment, safety and health (ESH) research has a strong tradition of conducting research in manufacturing to improve workplace ESH conditions and has tied its management strategy and technical practices to many significant priorities: illness and injury prevention, environmental sustainability, corporate social responsibility, compliance with regulatory and insurance requirements, and dealing with NGO (non-governmental organization) pressures. ESH research rarely examines ESH management strategy in the broader context of business/operations. This oversight makes it difficult to make accurate recommendations for practice and regulation because ESH researchers and business/operations researchers tend to function as if the other does not exist with the very great possibility that key relationships remain undiscovered. In this study, case study methods were used with five manufacturing facilities in the Pacific Northwest to evaluate the usefulness of the Development Levels Rating System (DLRS). Data were collected using interviews, site tours, and publicly available records. Within case and cross-case analysis were used to analyze the data. Consistent patterns were found in how the facilities structured, organized, and financed the ESH function. Moreover, important insights were found regarding the facilities' levels of ESH management strategy and their levels of risk. The results support the DLRS model as being useful in assessing ESH management strategy in relation to a facility's level of risk. Moreover, several new pathways were uncovered including: the significance of multi-stakeholder approaches in EHS and operations research; the importance of joint management strategies; and the faulty nature of compliance-based ESH management strategies. Future research should be considered to test the DLRS tool using focus groups and quantitative methods. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). / Graduation date: 2012

The multi-million-dollar medical uniform industry has not utilized advancements in garment and textile technology that could positively impact the protection of healthcare professionals and patients. In most cases the uniforms meet basic requirements – they clothe the professional in a recognizable way. Little innovation in design, function and performance, has been applied to these garments. This is particularly evident in the case of the stereotypical white lab coat worn by many physicians, despite evidence indicating that these lab coats may carry contamination and play a role in the spread of deadly bacteria. Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) are among the most serious problems facing modern medical care, costing millions of lives and dollars annually worldwide. This research investigates the design and use of the physician’s lab coat – an immediately recognizable symbol of Western medicine. The research identifies the medical, functional, cultural and symbolic roles of the lab coat within the hospital environment and beyond, to the larger the global society. This thesis examines the extent to which the design of medical wear can impact the effect of hospital-acquired infections, support doctor/patient relationships and enhance the performance and behavior of the healthcare professional by envisioning a future lab coat which offers increased protection for physician and patient, aids in communication and enhances the performance of the doctor by utilizing digital technologies incorporated into the lab coat whereby the lab coat becomes the only tool necessary for the physician.

Thesis (M.B.A.)-Business Studies Unit, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 xii, 127 leaves / The knowledge, attitude and training needs of line managers at the South African Sugar Association (SASA) with regards to the management of HIV/AIDS infected employees. Background: The rapid spread of HIV/AIDS is having an increasingly adverse impact on the operations of companies. Due to the changing environment in which line managers have to operate as a result of HIV/AIDS, line managers will increasingly be faced with handling HIV/AIDS infected employees and all the issues surrounding this epidemic. The research investigates the knowledge, attitude and training needs of line managers in SASA with regards to the management of HIV/AIDS infected employees. Objective: The goals of the research are; 1). To ascertain the prevailing level of knowledge, attitude and training needs of line managers at SASA with regards to the management of HIV/AIDS infected employees. 2). To establish the relationship between the biographic variables and knowledge, attitude and training needs with regards to the management of HIV/AIDS infected employees. / M

Nurses are frequently seen in public in their “scrubs,” which could mean that contaminated clothing is being brought into the community, thereby posing an infection risk. The purpose of this study is to investigate if and which contaminants are present on the fabrics and the actions nurses are taking to eliminate contamination risks. Eleven scrub tops were worn on hospital units over one twelve-hour shift. The contaminated scrubs and three control tops were then swabbed and used to inoculate agar plates. After incubation, colonies were counted, streaked onto nutrient and Mannitol-salt agar for isolation, and incubated. Using API Staph strips and Gram staining, the bacteria were identified. The nurses also completed a short survey on laundering and scrub care. All scrub tops, except the controls, were contaminated with multiple species of bacteria including Staphylococcus species. Responses to the survey showed that no two nurses washed their scrubs in the same manner and many wear them in public. The results determined that bacteria can survive on clothing and pose the possibility of transmission throughout the hospital and public venues. The survey results indicate a need for employer laundering policies, public awareness of the risk for transmission of disease from contaminated clothing, and stricter regulations about employees wearing scrubs outside of health care facilities.

A lack of land use controls on sexually oriented businesses contributes to the unique configuration of Portland, Oregon's strip clubs: nearly fifty clubs are distributed throughout the city's neighborhoods. Considered a locally unwanted land use (LULU) by many, these strip clubs are regulated by a variety of formal and informal social processes in the absence of zoning. This qualitative study explores drivers and constraints shaping the spatial configuration of Portland's strip club industry as well as influences on land use conflict at strip club sites and working conditions for women who work as exotic dancers in the clubs. Data collection entailed review of documents (newspaper articles, legal and administrative decisions and records, and ballot measure pro/con statements); site observations; and in-person interviews with exotic dancers, strip club owners and managers, public employees who deal with strip clubs in their line of work, and people who live and work near strip clubs (n=43). Analysis follows Clarke's (2005) situational analysis methods. The study finds that strip clubs are not necessarily incompatible with residential locations and that such locations can confer benefits to dancers. The normalization of strip clubs in Portland decreases the place stigma associated with strip clubs but has a lesser impact on the person stigma of being an exotic dancer. With regard to land use conflict, the study finds that tolerance of sexual commerce is associated with urbanicity and that neighborhood socioeconomic status has a more complex relationship to community response than is suggested by the literature on land use conflict. Based on these findings, the dissertation argues that conflict resolution programs may be more effective than zoning at managing potential negative effects of sexually oriented businesses, and that improving working conditions for exotic dancers is a complex challenge. It proposes broader adoption of the sex work discourse, including the integration of labor issues in sex industry to advocacy efforts on behalf of other freelance and service sector workers.

Thesis (M.B.A.)-Business Studies Unit, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 xii, 127 leaves / The knowledge, attitude and training needs of line managers at the South African Sugar Association (SASA) with regards to the management of HIV/AIDS infected employees. Background: The rapid spread of HIV/AIDS is having an increasingly adverse impact on the operations of companies. Due to the changing environment in which line managers have to operate as a result of HIV/AIDS, line managers will increasingly be faced with handling HIV/AIDS infected employees and all the issues surrounding this epidemic. The research investigates the knowledge, attitude and training needs of line managers in SASA with regards to the management of HIV/AIDS infected employees. Objective: The goals of the research are; 1). To ascertain the prevailing level of knowledge, attitude and training needs of line managers at SASA with regards to the management of HIV/AIDS infected employees. 2). To establish the relationship between the biographic variables and knowledge, attitude and training needs with regards to the management of HIV/AIDS infected employees.

Introduction Despite the existence of data in the Labour Commissioner’s Accident and Occupational Diseases Register of Tanzania, trends in the frequency of work-related fatalities and severe injuries in the construction industry, in relation to the development of policies and regulatory frameworks over the years and their effectiveness as interventions, have not been systematically evaluated. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the regulatory framework, trends in the frequency of work-related fatalities and severe injuries among construction workers in Dar-es-Salaam Region, Tanzania, from January 1980 to December 2009. Methods The Accident Notification and Register was accessed from the Tanzanian Labour Department. Data were extracted from the register, coded and analyzed using SPSS. Chi square was used to test if injuries and fatalities in the construction industry and non-construction industries are influenced by introduction of regulatory bodies, legislation and policies during the baseline period (1980 – 1981) and subsequent time periods. Dependent variables were cases of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry and in the non-construction industries, while independent variables included duration during which the regulatory bodies, legislation and policies have been operational, age, sex, education and duration of employment. Results The introduction of regulatory bodies, legislation and policies was statistically significant in the reduction of reported cases in the construction industry across all time periods as compared to the baseline period. The adjusted risk of fatalities and work related injuries frequency in the construction industry decreased (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.4 – 0.6 during 1998 – 2001) in almost all time periods compared to the baseline period except for the period between 1982 and 1985 (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.3). Discussion This study is the first to be conducted in Tanzania. The study has shown that new governing bodies and the introduction of new policies and legislations that were introduced in the construction sector were effective in terms of reduction of reported accidents. The results of this study are similar to other studies that have conducted elsewhere. The studies that were conducted in US in 2001and 2003 to evaluate regulatory intervention on vertical falls found evidence that introduction of regulations was effective in preventing non-fatal and fatal injuries in the construction industry. Our results could have been confounded by other factors such as improvement of economic status, construction technologies and work practices. Recommendations In addition to establishment of regulatory bodies, legislation and policies to reduce the accidents, the focus should be also to change technology and practices on construction sites. A safety culture should also be emphasized / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.