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Published Article / The important impact of an organisation's cultural orientation is often not fully comprehended by management and staff. Organisational culture as the 'soul' of an organisation forms the basis of all decisions that are taken in organisational context. In the Knowledge Age, where service delivery has become a crucial consideration organisations must be creative in dealing with its internal and external customers. In a competitive international environment organisations may find it difficult to apply the cultural principles that correspond with that of the Knowledge Age. This paper argues that in order for organisations to adapt successfully to the challenges of the Knowledge Age, they need to comprehend the fundamental influence of organisational culture, and how a focus on both internal and external stakeholders, could benefit the organisation. The arguments of this paper are based, in part, on an investigation of the organisational culture of a major private security company in South Africa.

Based on a gap identified in existing literature, the aim of the study was to qualitatively examine the thematic patterns and lines of development of leadership models. The research was conducted from within a postmodern, social constructivist epistemological point of view; and was more specifically guided by the narrative theoretical framework. The sample of leadership models were therefore considered as leadership narratives. These leadership narratives were subjected to a qualitative analysis aimed at identifying relevant themes and patterns of development, which were subsequently mapped into a story network analysis and visually represented in the form of a sociogram network display. The major findings of the present research included that; themes that were identified by means of a qualitative analysis, contributed to a possible description of the characteristics of leadership. Core leadership narratives could also be identified and was subjected to further research, which uncovered that the developmental patterns and lines of these core narratives resembled the movement of a pendulum. Such a pendulum seems to have predictive value for organisations, as it might contribute to the understanding of the influences of internal and external factors within these organisations. The research also contributed by exploring the possible impacts that social changes had on the developmental lines and patterns of leadership narratives. This imbedded the study firmly into its proposed sociological context. / Thesis (M.A. (Sociology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

Based on a gap identified in existing literature, the aim of the study was to qualitatively examine the thematic patterns and lines of development of leadership models. The research was conducted from within a postmodern, social constructivist epistemological point of view; and was more specifically guided by the narrative theoretical framework. The sample of leadership models were therefore considered as leadership narratives. These leadership narratives were subjected to a qualitative analysis aimed at identifying relevant themes and patterns of development, which were subsequently mapped into a story network analysis and visually represented in the form of a sociogram network display. The major findings of the present research included that; themes that were identified by means of a qualitative analysis, contributed to a possible description of the characteristics of leadership. Core leadership narratives could also be identified and was subjected to further research, which uncovered that the developmental patterns and lines of these core narratives resembled the movement of a pendulum. Such a pendulum seems to have predictive value for organisations, as it might contribute to the understanding of the influences of internal and external factors within these organisations. The research also contributed by exploring the possible impacts that social changes had on the developmental lines and patterns of leadership narratives. This imbedded the study firmly into its proposed sociological context. / Thesis (M.A. (Sociology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

This study investigates the digital presence of cultural centers in three regions of Germany taking into account the theoretical framework of knowledge age. In order to find out if the adaption of online tools has a positive influence on visitor reach, i.e. on the success of the centers, the thesis attempts to gather information on online tool usage of individual institutions via questionnaires. Taking into consideration the overall context three factors referring to traditional economic concepts namely industry Size, institutions size and program diversity are proposed as additional success factors. The research results indicate that digital presence, together with the other measured factors, have a positive impact on the success of the centers. Moreover, the cultural infrastructure appears to have a direct positive impact on the industry size and, consequently, an indirect impact on the success of cultural centers.

<p>This study investigates the digital presence of cultural centers in three regions of Germany taking into account the theoretical framework of knowledge age. In order to find out if the adaption of online tools has a positive influence on visitor reach, i.e. on the success of the centers, the thesis attempts to gather information on online tool usage of individual institutions via questionnaires. Taking into consideration the overall context three factors referring to traditional economic concepts namely industry Size, institutions size and program diversity are proposed as additional success factors. The research results indicate that digital presence, together with the other measured factors, have a positive impact on the success of the centers. Moreover, the cultural infrastructure appears to have a direct positive impact on the industry size and, consequently, an indirect impact on the success of cultural centers.</p>

It is imperative that learners leave school with a certain set of core skills, none as important as communication and technology literacy, a key driver for future workplace employment. The critical question is how to motivate pupils to participate in an interesting, challenging and creative project to improve essential communication techniques and capabilities? The rationale of the study is to enable future editors of school newspapers to create a similar environment in which the learners that are members of the editorial team will be involved in the construction of a school newspaper. The rationale of the study relating to the learners, who are part of the editorial team, is to develop 21st Century Skills and therefore enable them to overcome complicated demands that they are exposed to in the Knowledge Age. This dissertation presents a real-life, initiative to encourage active participation in the construction of a school newspaper that will develop learners’ skills and confidence and improve their oral, written and multi-media communication. The findings of this dissertation aim to prove that the group production of a school newspaper can enhance learners’ ability to participate and communicate in a group environment and equip them with essential 21st Century skills. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted