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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
51

Complexity and leadership : conceptual and competency implications

Ronn, Harald 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Globalisation, rapid changes in technology, and demographic trends are all important factors that contribute to conditions that require adaptive capacity in military organisations. The context of a majority of military operations is often asymmetric with blurred boundaries, and military organisations are expected to master a wide range of operations from humanitarian disaster relief to more regular warlike situations in a joint- and multinational framework. The complexity of the challenges facing military leaders in contemporary and future operations makes it relevant to develop a meta-competency model for leadership in complex military systems, which is the main purpose of this dissertation. A Complexity Approach represents a shift from a set of conservative laws to a perception of the world as an open and highly dynamic system, and some characterise complexity as a bridge between modernism on the one hand and post-modernism on the other. Complexity and complex systems have a number of characteristics, some of them being a large number of short-ranged interactions that are dynamic, non-linear and fairly rich. Another significant feature of complexity is the emphasis on emergent patterns that are codetermined through a dynamic process between the history of the system and the interaction with its local environment. Leadership in complex systems might be described by the dynamics of emergence, not merely by incremental influence, and increasingly considered to be a collective social phenomenon. A complexity-oriented leader acts as an enabler of a rich identity interacting in richly constrained play of difference, facilitating “bounded” individual and systemic adaptive capacity. The reigning paradigm in military organisations, however, are closely linked to an autocratic and bureaucratic structure and a fundamental quest for control, equilibrium and stability, all of which are deeply embedded in Newtonian Principles of linearity, reductionism and determinism. The investigation of empirical research on Norwegian Military Officers and the Norwegian Armed Forces reveal a considerable amount of homogenous force substantiating stability and control, at the same time as complexity and uncertainty are acknowledged. This dissertation argues that the definition of competencies as “an underlying characteristic of an individual that is causally related to effective and/or superior performance in a job or situation”, is not suitable for a complexity understanding and proposes competencies to be defined as “interconnected underlying characteristics of an individual or system, which through a dynamic and non-linear process of interaction between local agents and the environment contribute to the emergence of identifiable or unidentifiable patterns of individual or systemic behaviour”. Based on a synthesis of a non-empirical literature study, empirical research and a modelbuilding study, this dissertation suggests that heterogeneity of degree, androgynousity, cognitive flexibility, ethical reasoning, cross-cultural competence, intuition, identity and courage, are necessary meta-competencies for leadership in complex military systems. It is further argued that these meta-competencies must be interpreted as interconnected and interdependent, and the metaphor of a cloud is therefore presented as a suitable image of the intricate dynamics of complexity. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Globalisering, vinnige veranderinge in tegnologie en demografiese tendense is belangrike faktore wat bydra tot toestande wat aanpassingsvermoë in militêre organisasies vereis. Die konteks waarin ’n meerderheid militêre operasies hul bevind is dikwels asimmetries met onduidelike grense, en daar word van militêre organisasies verwag om ’n wye verskeidenheid krygsverrigtinge van humanitêre rampverligting tot meer gereelde oorlogsugtige omstandighede in ’n gesamentlike en multinasionale kader te bemeester. Die kompleksiteit van die uitdagings waarvoor militêre leiers te staan kom in huidige en toekomstige krygsverrigtinge is dit gepas om ’n meta-bevoegdheidsmodel vir leierskap in komplekse militêre stelsels te ontwikkel, wat die belangrikste doel van hierdie tesis is. ’n Kompleksiteitbenadering verteenwoordig ’n verskuiwing van ’n stel konserwatiewe wette na ’n waarneming van die wêreld as ’n oop en hoogsdinamiese stelsel, en kompleksiteit word soms gekenmerk as ’n brug tussen modernisme aan die een kant en die post-modernisme aan die ander. Kompleksiteit en komplekse stelsels het ’n aantal kenmerke, waarvan sommige van hulle ’n groot aantal kortafstandinteraksies wat dinamiese, nie-lineêre en redelik ryk is. Nog ’n belangrike kenmerk van kompleksiteit is die klem op die ontluikende patrone wat vasgestel word deur middel van beide ’n dinamiese proses tussen die geskiedenis van die stelsel en die interaksie met die plaaslike omgewing. Leierskap in komplekse stelsels kan beskryf word deur die dinamika van verskyning, nie net deur inkrementele invloed nie, en al hoe meer beskou as ’n kollektiewe sosiale verskynsel. ’n Kompleksiteitgeoriënteerde leier dien as ’n instaatsteller van ’n ryk identiteit wat wisselwerking uitoefen in streng beperkte verskilspel, wat “begrensde” individuele en sistemiese aanpassingsvermoë fasiliteer. Die huidige paradigma in die militêre organisasies word egter nou gekoppel aan ’n outokratiese en burokratiese struktuur, en ’n fundamentele soektog vir beheer, ewewig en stabiliteit, waarvan almal diep in Newtoniaanse Beginsels van lineariteit, reduksionisme en determinisme vasgelê is. Die ondersoek van empiriese navorsing oor die Noorse Militêre Offisiere en die Noorse Weermag openbaar ’n aansienlike aantal homogene mag wat stabiliteit en beheer staaf, terselfdertyd as wat kompleksiteit en onsekerheid erken word. Hierdie tesis is van mening dat die definisie van vaardighede as “’n onderliggende eienskap van ’n individu wat oorsaaklik verwant is aan doeltreffende en/of superieure prestasie in ’n beroep of situasie”, nie geskik is vir ’n kompleksiteitbegrip nie en stel voor dat vaardighede gedefinieer word as “onderling verbinde onderliggende eienskappe van ’n individu of stelsel, wat deur middel van ’n dinamiese en nie-lineêre proses van interaksie tussen plaaslike agente en die omgewing bydra tot die verskyning van identifiseerbare of nie-identifiseerbare patrone van individuele of sistemiese gedrag”. Gebaseer op ’n sintese van ’n nie-empiriese literatuurstudie, empiriese navorsing en ’n bou van modelle studie, stel hierdie tesis voor dat die heterogeniteit van graad, androgienisme, kognitiewe buigsaamheid, etiese beredenering, kruis-kulturele bevoegdheid, intuïsie, identiteit en moed, nodige meta-vaardighede vir leierskap in komplekse militêre stelsels is. Dit voer verder aan dat hierdie meta-vaardighede vertolk moet word as onderling verbinde en onderling afhanklik is, en die metafoor van ’n wolk word dus voorgestel as ’n geskikte beeld van die ingewikkelde dinamika van kompleksiteit.
52

Etnisiteit en groepsverteenwoordiging in die staatkunde : 'n vergelykende studie

Cloete, Gideon Stephanus 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (DPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 1981. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this dissertation is the development of an operational analytical model to illustrate the possibility of successfully resolving or managing conflict in plural societies by effectively accommodating different geographically dispersed ethnic groups as groups in democratic constitutional structures and processes in these societies. The few existing models or theories of this kind (i e pluralism, consociationalism, corporatism, personalism/integral federalism) are either too vague or too incomplete to operationalise effectively. The dynamic resurgence of ethnicity across the world stresses the need for such a workable model, especially in view of important prevailing misconceptions about the nature of the phenomenon of "ethnicity" and its implications for effective democratic conflict resolution in plural societies. / INLEIDING: Die effektiewe demokratiese akkommodasie van verskillende geografies verspreide etniese groepe in die staatkundige struktuur van 'n plurale samelewing is 'n politieke doelwit wat dusver nog selde in die wêreld verwesenlik kon word. Dit is dan ook die mees aktuele staatkundige probleem in Suid-Afrika en vorm die fokus van hierdie studie.
53

Closing the strategy execution gap in the public sector : a conceptual model

Olivier, Anton J. 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The importance of strategy execution to achieve organisational objectives is increasingly recognised. However, successful execution seems to remain problematic, not only in government, but also in the business world today. Because of the gap between strategy planning and execution, the required benefits stated in this planning are seldom realised. The consistent and generally poor execution of strategic plans in the public sector leads to poor service delivery. The objective of the research was to develop, test and further improve a conceptual model that can specifically be applied in public sector organisations (PSOs) to help close their strategy execution gap. According to the research hypothesis, strategy execution will significantly improve by using a simplified, dynamically integrated conceptual model as guide in tailoring strategy execution in each PSO. The qualitative Participative Action Research (PAR) methodology was used based on case studies in Namibia, including ministries, state-owned enterprises and local authorities. The literature gap was found to be the limited number of resources addressing strategy execution in the public sector and the limited number of sources presenting a multi-disciplinary or integrated model involving the whole organisation. Based on previous literature reviews and experience, the researcher developed his first conceptual model in 2006. After the development of four more models, the final MERIL-DE Model was arrived at in 2014 as conceptual model to help close the strategy execution gap in the public sector. Additional literature review and analysis of the public sector context, supported by ten case studies in Namibia over the eight year period (2006–2013), led to the MERIL-DE Model containing and integrating the nine vital strategy execution components. These are as follows: 1) Leadership, 2) Strategic Planning, 3) Project Management, 4) Alignment (with organisational elements), 5) Performance Management (containing the MERIL elements Measure, Evaluate, Report, Improve and Learn), 6) Drive (mostly internal motivation), 7) Engagement (through dialogue), 8) Risk Management and 9) Stakeholder Management. The first seven components were identified through literature review and the last two from considering the unique public sector context. Features of the model include the critical role of leadership, the need to clearly link strategy and projects, the important role of project management, the shorter review periods for both strategic and project plans, the need for an institutionalised quarterly strategy execution cycle and importance of engagement and motivated workforce. The MERIL-DE Model shows the need to build adaptive and sustainable organisations in a complex and challenging public sector. The conventional plan-and-execute processes have to be complemented by sense-and-respond capabilities through a system of Measure, Evaluate, Report, Improve and Learn – linked to Drive and Engagement – in which components are dynamically integrated. Each PSO, however, needs to develop its own unique or tailor-made MERIL-DE model. This tailored model is referred to as the “Stratex Car” to be designed and built by each PSO, considering its own unique conditions. The Strategy Execution Framework (SAF) is presented as tool to assess the strength of each MERIL-DE component with the Total Strategy Execution Capacity (TSEC) to determine the total capacity of the PSO to execute its strategy. It is believed that the use and application of the MERIL-DE Model will significantly contribute to close the strategy execution gap present in the public sector, not only in Southern Africa, but worldwide – to see governments and public organisations deliver real beneficial public service. Monitored application of this model will be valuable for future research towards the ongoing closing of the strategy execution gap. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar word toenemend ag geslaan op die belangrikheid van strategie-uitoefening om organisatoriese mikpunte te bereik. Suksesvolle uitoefening blyk egter problematies te bly, nié net in die regering nie, maar ook in vandag se besigheidswêreld. Weens die gaping tussen strategie-beplanning en -uitoefening word die voordele wat in die beplanning uiteengesit word selde ’n realiteit. Die konstante en oor die algemeen swak uitoefening van strategiese beplanning in die openbare sektor lei tot swak dienslewering. Die doel met die navorsing was om ’n begripsmodel wat spesifiek in publieke sektororganisasies (PSOs) toegepas kan word, te ontwikkel, te toets en te verbeter om die gaping in strategie-uitoefening te oorbrug. Volgens die navorsingshipotese sal strategie-uitoefening kenmerkend verbeter deur ’n vereenvoudigde, dinamies-geïntegreerde begripsprosesmodel te gebruik wat die strategie-uitoefening in elke staatsonderneming aanpas. Die kwalitatiewe deelnemer-aksie-navorsingsmetodologie (Participative Action Research) is in gevallestudies in Namibië toegepas, insluitende ministeries, staatsondernemings en plaaslike owerhede. Die gaping in die literatuur het geblyk die beperkte hoeveelheid hulpbronne te wees wat strategie-uitoefening in die openbare sektor en die beperkte hoeveelheid bronne wat ’n multidissplinêre of geïntegreerde model wat die hele organisasie betrek, aanspreek. Die navorser het in 2006 sy eerste begripsmodel ontwikkel wat op vorige literatuuroorsigte en ervaring gegrond was. Na die ontwikkeling van nóg vier modelle het die finale MERIL-DE-model in 2014 as begripsprosesmodel onstaan om die gaping in strategie-uitoefening in die openbare sektor die hoof te help bied. Addisionele literatuurstudie en -analise van die openbare sektorkonteks, ondersteun deur die tien gevallestudies in Namibië oor die agtjaarperiode (2006– 2013), het gelei tot die insluiting en integrasie van die nege strategie-uitoefeningskomponente in die MERIL-DE-model. Hierdie komponente is soos volg: 1) Leierskap, 2) Strategiese Beplanning, 3) Projekbestuur, 4) Belyning (met organisatoriese elemente), 5) Prestasiebestuur, 6) Dryfkrag (meestal interne motivering), 7) Betrokkenheid (deur dialoog), 8) Risikobestuur en 9) Belanghebberbestuur. Die eerste sewe komponente is deur literatuurstudie geïdentifiseer en die laaste twee deur die unieke konteks van die openbare sektor in ag te neem. Eienskappe van die model sluit in die kritiese rol van leierskap, die behoefte om strategieë en projekte duidelik te verbind, die belangrike rol van projekbestuur, die korter oorsigperiodes vir beide strategie- en projekplanne, die behoefte aan ’n geïnstitusionaliseerde kwartaallikse strategie-uitoefeningsiklus en die belangrikheid van betrokkenheid en gemotiveerde diensnemers. Die MERIL-DE-model wys die behoefte om aanpasbare en onderhoubare organisasies in ’n komplekse en uitdagende openbare sektor uit. Die konvensionele beplan-enuitoefenprosesse moet deur waarneem-en-reageervermoëns gekomplementeer word deur ’n stelsel van Meet, Evalueer, Rapporteer, Verbeter/ ”Improve” en Leer – verbind met Dryfkrag en Betrokkenheid/ ”Engagement” (MERIL-DE) – waarin komponente dinamies geïntegreer is. Elke PSO moet egter sy eie unieke MERIL-DE-model ontwikkel. Hierdie situasie-aangepaste model staan bekend as die “Stratex Car” wat deur elke PSO ontwerp en gebou moet word deur hul eie unieke toestande in ag te neem. Die Strategie-uitoefeningsraamwerk (sg. SAF) word as hulpmiddel voorgestel om die gehalte van elke ‘MERIL-DE’-komponent na te gaan te bepaal met die Totale Strategie-uitoefeningskapasiteit (sg. TSEC) om die totale kapasiteit van die PSO te bereken vir die uitoefening van sy strategie. Dit word verwag dat die gebruik en toepassing van die MERIL-DE-model kenmerkend kan bydra om die gaping in strategie-uitoefening wat aanwesig is in die openbare sektor die hoof te bied, nié net in Suider-Afrika nie, maar wêreldwyd – om te verseker dat regerings en openbare organisasies ware voordelige publieke diens lewer. Gekontroleerde toepassing van hierdie model sal waardevol wees vir toekomstige navorsing vir die verdere vernouïng van die gaping in strategie-uitoefening.
54

Emergent good practice approaches to business support : implications for local government

Ackron, Johan 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Policy makers and development practitioners particularly in developing countries face daunting challenges in formulating strategies to achieve sustained growth and improved standards of living through productive engagement of the population in the economy rather than through welfare transfers. Business activities are self-sustaining and therefore have the potential to contribute greatly through the economic system to the creation of sustainable employment and prosperity. Yet many developing countries are faced with inadequate levels of business activity and business growth. Historical approaches to stimulating and supporting business development have proved largely cost ineffective and unequal to the challenge. The hypothesis that fundamental paradigm shifts in the approach to business support are taking place internationally is tested in this thesis. Key features of an evolving entrepreneurial approach to business support are identified and described representing the defining elements of the new business development support paradigm. Institutional implications of the approach in the context of institutional development theory and current approaches to the stimulation of local economic development at local community level are also discussed, as are key implications of the new paradigm for local government. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Beleidmakers en praktisyns in ontwikkelende lande staar uitdagings in die gesig wat betref die handhawing van volgehoue ontwikkeling en die verbetering van lewensstandaarde by wyse van werkgeleentheidskepping en produktiewe betrokkenheid van die bevolking by die ekonomie eerder as deur sosiale welvaarts oordragte. Sake bedrywe en 'n dinamiese sakesektor het die potensiaal om aansienlik by te dra tot volhoubare ontwikkeling. Maar die meeste ontwikkelende lande ondervind ontoereikende vlakke van sake aktiwiteit en van groei in die omvang van die sakesektor. Benaderings tot die stimulering van uitbreiding van die sakesektor as grondslag vir volgehoue werkskepping is in die verlede grootliks koste ondoeltreffend en die resultate was ontoereikend. Die hipotese dat daar 'n fundamentele aanpassing van die paradigma onderliggend aan benaderings tot stimulering van die sakesektor as deel van algehele ontwikkelingsstrategie plaasvind word in die tesis getoets. Kern eienskappe van 'n nuwe benadering word geidentifiseer en omskryf. Institusionele implikasies van die benadering in die samehang van ontwikkelingsteorie en huidige benaderings tot plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling op plaaslike gemeenskapsvlak word ook bespreek, asook kern implikasies van die nuwe paradigma vir plaaslike regering.
55

An assessment of the required competencies for the senior management service in the South African public service

Rossouw, A. (Andre) 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A major challenge facing the South African government is the acceleration of service delivery improvement to ensure a better life for all South Africans. The White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service (South Africa, 1995) has as its objective “empowering, challenging and motivating managers at all levels to be leaders, visionaries, initiators and effective communicators and decision-makers, capable of responding pro-actively to the challenges of the change process, rather than acting as the administrators of fixed rules and procedures.” The White Paper also proposes that new and more participative organisational structures, new organisational cultures, learning organisations, and techniques for managing change and diversity be developed. A new Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) for the Senior Management Service (SMS) has been created, which has as its basis performance management and development as an approach. It consists of a standardised set of competencies, to be used as basis for performance appraisal. As it is expected of SMS members to manage and lead their respective institutions to meet the stated objectives, the Core Management Criteria (CMCs) will have to assist the development of competencies in SMS members to capacitate them to meet the stated objectives and to lead their organisations to change that will assist service delivery. The question, therefore, arises whether the CMCs will develop SMS members to lead their organisations to change. The aim of this research will be to determine whether the competencies used in the PMDS are also focused on leadership and organisational development issues needed in a developmental situation to enable SMS members to lead their organisations, rather than merely acting as the administrators of fixed rules and procedures. The research is divided into distinct phases. The first entails exploring the meaning of competence and the conceptual structure of competencies to be able to analyse the CMCs. This is followed by an analysis of managerial versus leadership competencies in general to provide a theoretical context for an analysis of the CMCs in terms of management or leadership focus. In the next phase the CMCs as competencies used in the PMDS are also analysed and discussed, after which a comparative analysis is undertaken, with competencies used in notable international examples to provide context. In the final phase the CMCs as competencies are analysed in terms of management or leadership focus and focus on organisation development. The research showed that the appraisal system used for the SMS members in terms of the PMDS could lead to a manipulation of the appraisal system whereby SMS members could “influence” the system to their own benefit. The research also showed that there are definite personally oriented competencies absent from the PMDS, whereas they are present in the international examples. The research also showed that certain competencies supporting leadership roles are strengthened by the international systems, whereas these are absent from the PMDS and therefore not strengthened. The research further showed that these leadership roles that are not strengthened by the PMDS, but are included in the international systems, also coincide with the leadership roles that are not strengthened from a theoretical perspective. The research concludes that the CMCs used in the PMDS would probably not support SMS members to develop competencies that are oriented towards leadership and organisation development to enable them to really change their organisation to adapt. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die groot uitdaging wat die Suid-Afrikaanse regering tans in die gesig staar, is versnelde verbetering van dienslewering om ‘n beter lewe vir alle Suid Afrikaners te verseker. Een van die doelwitte van die Witskrif op die Transformasie van die Staatsdiens (1995), is die bemagtiging, uitdaging en motivering van bestuurders op alle vlakke om versiende leiers, inisieerders en effektiewe kommunikeerders en besluitnemers te wees, instaat om pro-aktief te reageer op die uitdagings van die proses van verandering, eerder as om bloot die administrators van reëls en voorskrifte te wees. Die Witskrif stel ook voor dat nuwe en meer deelnemende organisatoriese strukture ontwikkel word, ‘n nuwe organisasie-kultuur geskep word en dat organisasies voortdurend by verandering en diversiteit sal aanpas. ‘n Nuwe prestasiebestuur en –onwikkelingstelsel is gevolglik vir die Senior Bestuurskader ontwikkel. Die stelsel bestaan uit ‘n gestandaardiseerde stel Kern Besuurskriteria wat as basis vir prestasie-evaluering gebruik word. Aangesien dit van Bestuurders verwag word om hul onderskeie komponente te bestuur en die leiding te neem om gestelde doelwitte te bereik, moet die stelsel vaardighede in die Bestuurders ontwikkel wat hulle instaat sal stel om wel die doelwitte te bereik en om leiding te neem om hul organisasies te transformeer om verbeterde dienslewering te bewerkstellig. Die vraag ontstaan egter of die gestelde Kern Bestuurskriteria wel leierskapsvaardighede sal ontwikkel, wat Bestuurders sal benodig om die leiding te neem ten opsigte van verandering. Die doel van die navorsing is om vas te stel of die Bestuurskriteria wat in die prestasiebestuur en – onwikkelingstelsel gebruik word, ook gefokus is op leierskap- en organisasie-ontwikkelingsvaardighede, wat bestuurders sal benodig om leiding te neem, teenoor bestuurders wat slegs optree as administrateurs van reëls en voorskrifte. Die eerste gedeelte van die navorsing analiseer die betekenis van vaardigheid en die konsepsuele struktuur van vaardighede, ten einde die Kern Bestuurskriteria te ontleed. Hierna volg ‘n ontleding van bestuurs- en leierskapsvaardighede in die algemeen, om die teoretiese konteks vir die ontleding van die Kern Bestuurskriteria in terme van fokus op bestuur en leierskap te verleen. In die volgende fase, word die Kern Bestuurskriteria wat as vaardighede in die Suid-Afrikaanse bestuurstelsel gebruik word, ontleed en bespreek. Hierna word ‘n vergelykende analise gedoen met vaardighede wat in geseleketeerde internasionale stelsels gebruik word, om verdere konteks te verleen. Die Kern Bestuurskriteria word daarna ontleed in terme van fokus op bestuur of leierskap, en ook organisasie-ontwikkeling. Die navorsing het bevind dat die evalueringstelsel vir die bestuurskader moontlik deur bestuurders gemanipuleer kan word om hulself te bevoordeel. Die navorsing het verder getoon dat definitiewe vaardighede wat op die persoon self gemik is, ontbreek, terwyl dit wel in die internasionale voorbeelde teenwoordig is. Die navorsing het verder bevind dat die internasionale voorbeelde wel sekere vaardighede leierskapsrolle ontwikkel en versterk, terwyl dit afwesig is in die Suid Afrikaanse stelsel. Die navorsing het verder bevind dat die leierskapsrolle wat nie deur die Suid Afrikaanse stelsel versterk word nie, maar wel deel vorm van die internasionale voorbeelde, ooreenstem met die leierskapsrolle uit ‘n teroretiese oogpunt, wat nie deur die Suid Afrikaanse stelsel versterk word nie. Die navorsing bevind finaal dat die Kern Bestuurskriteria waarskynlik nie die nodige leierskaps- en organisasie-ontwikkelingsvaardighede in bestuurders sal ontwikkel nie, wat wel nodig sal wees om organisasies te verander.
56

Water scarcity and electricity generation in South Africa

Wassung, Natalie 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa has a mean annual precipitation far lower than the global average. This is a fundamental constraint to development, especially when the country has already run out of surplus water and dilution capacity. To add further pressure, Southern Africa’s water resources are expected to decrease as a result of climate change. Despite the potential devastation, the country’s response to climate change has been limited. South Africa’s energy sector is dominated by coal power stations and is the country’s primary emitter of carbon dioxide. Given the significantly higher water usage of coal-fired power plants compared to that of most renewable energy power plants, the transition to a clean energy infrastructure might be more successfully motivated by water scarcity than by the promise of reduced carbon emissions. This article analyses more critically the impact of coal-fired electricity generation on South Africa’s water resources, by estimating a water-use figure that extends backwards from the power plant to include water used during extraction of the coal. This figure can then be compared to the water usage of alternative electricity generation options. It is then possible to estimate how much water could be saved by substituting these alternatives in place of additional coal-fired plants. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika se gemiddelde jaarlikse neerslag is baie laer as die wêreldwye gemiddelde. Dit plaas ’n wesenlike beperking op ontwikkeling, veral aangesien die land se surplus water- en verdunningskapasiteit reeds uitgeput is. Om die saak verder te vererger, word verwag dat Suidelike Afrika se waterbronne gaan kleiner word as gevolg van klimaatsverandering. Ten spyte van die potensiële ramp, was die land se reaksie op klimaatsverandering tot dusver baie beperk. Steenkoolkragstasies, wat Suid-Afrika se energiesektor oorheers, is die land se primêre bron van koolstofdioksieduitlating. Gegewe die beduidend hoër waterverbruik van steenkoolkragstasies teenoor dié van die meeste kragstasies wat met hernubare energie werk, kan die verandering na ’n skoonenergie-infrastruktuur meer suksesvol gemotiveer word deur waterskaarste as deur die belofte van verminderde koolstofuitlatings. Hierdie artikel analiseer die impak van steenkoolgedrewe elektrisiteitsopwekking op Suid-Afrika se waterbronne meer krities deur te beraam hoeveel water verbruik word van die kragstasie terug tot by die ontginning van die steenkool. Hierdie syfer kan dan vergelyk word met die waterverbruik van alternatiewe kragopwekkingsopsies. Dit is dan moontlik om te beraam hoeveel water gespaar kan word deur hierdie alternatiewe op te rig in plaas van bykomende steenkoolkragstasies.
57

Organic farming : the way forward for sustainable agriculture in the Western Cape Province

Robertson, Raynita N. 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPhil) --Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The incidence of organic agriculture, seen as the sustainable agriculture of the future, was investigated in the Western Cape Province (WCP). Informationabout organic farms in the WCP was obtained through the Internet, over a period of three months. These farms occupy about 33% (771 122 hal of the area within the WCP which is presently being used for the cultivation of crops and horticulture. The information obtained with regard to the type of agriculture and the location thereof was processed and presented graphically. Further, the utilisation of land in the WCP was researched, as well as the problems experienced with the degradation thereof. The possibility of making municipal commonage available to communities and small farmers for sustainable agriculture was also investigated. Taking cognisance of the above variables (organic farms, soil quality and municipal commonage), "Go Organics at Spier" (GOAS) was investigated as a case study. Recommendation was then made on how organic agriculture in the WCP could be promoted. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die voorkoms van organiese landbou, gesien as die volhoubare landbou van die toekoms, is ondersoek in die Wes~Kaap Provinsie (WKP). Inligting oor die organiese plase in die WKP is verkry deur middel van die Internet, oor 'n periode van drie maande. Hierdie plase beslaan ongeveer 33% (771 122 ha) van die oppervlakte binne die WKP wat tans vir die verbouing van gewasse benut word. Die inligting wat verkry is ten opsigte van die tipe landbou en die ligging daarvan is verwerk en grafies voorgestel. Verder is daar ondersoek ingestel na die benutting van grond in die WKP en die probleme wat ondervind word met die degradasie daarvan. Daar is ook ondersoek ingestel na die moontlikheid om munisipale gemeenskapsgronde beskikbaar te stel aan gemeenskappe en klein boere vir volhoubare landbou. Met inageneming van bogenoemde veranderlikes (organiese plase, grond kwaliteit en munisipale gemeenskapsgrand), is "Go Organics at Spier" (GOAS) as 'n gevallestudie ondersoek. Voorstelle word dan gemaak oor die bevordering van organiese landbou in die WKP. / Thesis
58

Bacteriological quality control of milk production in the Swartland Municipal Area

Allies, Bonita 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis was to determine in terms of policy analysis why the bacteriological quality of milk in a particular area did not comply with statutory provisions during production. The policy issue is very complex due to the diversity of conditions that exist during the milking process, which may impact on the levels of bacteria in milk. Considering this diversity, various problematic conditions are likely to cause the bacteriological contamination of milk. Milk is regarded as safe for human consumption when laboratory quality tests indicate its bacteriological suitability. Intervention on the basis of milk control should assure that milk is produced and distributed within acceptable bacteriological levels. The ad hoc milk safety strategy of the West Coast District Municipality (WCDM) was found to be inappropriate for the effective control of hygienic conditions during milk production. The existing strategy does not provide for suitable programmes to deal with this complex issue of policy and the suggestion is that it should be reviewed. Judged on the basis of success factors, a decline in milk bacteriological quality for the WCDM area revealed factors that were not effectively controlled during milk production. During the research period the hygienic quality of milk from the WCDM area was regulated and judged primarily by means of laboratory quality tests. Food safety requires much more than merely relying on quality tests. It is imperative that milk laboratory analyses should in all instances be harmonised by means of an evaluation of hygiene and sanitary conditions during production. How the problem situation with regard to milk quality is approached defines the implementation of strategy. The Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) of the WCDM have been implementing the requirements of applicable legislation, but each according to an individual approach. Such modi operandi provide for inconsistency in the execution of any policy. Implementing policy should be relevant, specific and adequate and should be target based. Consequently, the modification of policy is required to the extent of changing the approach when it does not comply with the afore-mentioned criteria, strategy or policy governing milk safety. More could be done by the WCDM to manage problems at milking sheds that is associated with the bacteriological quality of milk. Management control strategy is perceived to be inadequate and coupled with a lack of willingness to tackle the crux of the problem. Implementing legislative policy necessitate an objective approach coupled with an appropriate strategy. The findings of the empirical analysis together with a discussion of the implementation of the WCDM milk control strategy explains the shortcomings that was experienced in that regard. Therefore, an improved policy framework is proposed for controlling milk safety at milking sheds. In addition, a strategic framework is also proposed to administer the milk safety policy by way of programmes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis was om, in terme van openbare beleidsanalise, te bepaal waarom die bakteriologiese kwaliteit van melk in ’n spesifieke gebied tydens die produksie daarvan nie aan die wetlike standaarde voldoen het nie. Hierdie beleidsvraagstuk word as kompleks beskou weens die uiteenlopende toestande wat tydens die melkproses ontstaan en wat ‘n impak op die bakterievlakke van melk kan hê. Inaggenome van hierdie diversiteit kan die besmetting van melk waarskynlik deur verskeie probleemtoestande veroorsaak word. Melk word geag veilig te wees vir menslike gebruik wanneer laboratoriumkwaliteittoetse op die bakteriologiese geskiktheid daarvan aandui. Ingryping op grond van melkbeheer moet verseker dat melk binne die aanvaarde bakteriologiese vlakke geproduseer en verskaf word. Die ad hoc melkveiligheidstrategie van die Weskus Distrik se Munisipale (WDM) gebied is onvoldoende bevind vir die effektiewe beheer van higiëniese toestande tydens melkproduksie. Hierdie strategie maak nie voorsiening vir geskikte programme om hierdie komplekse beleidsvraagstuk te hanteer nie en die hersiening daarvan word voorgestel. Geoordeel aan die hand van suksesfaktore, dui ‘n afname in die kwaliteit van melk vir die WDM gebied op faktore wat tydens melkproduksie nie effektief beheer was nie. Die higiëniese kwaliteit van melk binne die WDM gebied was tydens die navorsingstydperk primêr deur middel van laboratoriumkwaliteittoetse gereguleer en geoordeel. Voedselveiligheid vereis dat daar egter op meer as kwaliteittoetse gesteun word. Dit maak dit noodsaaklik dat die laboratoriumanalises van melk in alle gevalle aan die hand van evaluering van higiëniese en sanitêre toestande tydens melkproduksie geharmoniseer word. Die manier waarmee die probleemsituasie met betrekking tot melkkwaliteit benader word, definieer die implementering van strategie. Die Omgewingsgesondheidspraktisyns (OGPs) van die WDM het die voorskrifte van die toepaslike wetgewing geïmplementeer, maar elkeen volgens ‘n eie benadering. ‘n Sodanige modus operandi maak voorsiening vir die inkonsekwente uitvoering van enige beleid. Die implementering van beleid moet relevant, spesifiek, geskik en moet doelgerig wees. Gevolglik waar voornoemde kriteria, strategie of beleid wat melkveiligheid aangaan nie nagekom word nie, noodsaak dit derhalwe ‘n aanpassing van beleid vir soverre die benadering tot strategie vir melkveiligheid geraak word. Die WDM kan meer doen om probleme wat verband hou met die bakteriologiese kwaliteit van melk by melkstalle te bestuur. Die beheerstrategie van die bestuur word as onvanpas beskou en dit gaan gepaard met ‘n gebrek aan ywer om die essensie van die probleem aan te spreek. Die inwerkingstelling van wetgewing noodsaak ’n objektiewe benadering gepaardgaande met ’n geskikte strategie vir die uitvoering van beleid. Die bevindinge van die empiriese analise tesame met ’n bespreking aangaande die implementering van die WDM melkbeheerstrategie bied ’n verduideliking van die tekortkominge in daardie verband aan. Derhalwe word ’n verbeterde beleidsraamwerk voorgestel om die melkveiligheid by melkstalle te beheer. Daarbenewens word ’n strategiese raamwerk om die melkveiligheidbeleid deur middel van programme te uit te voer, ook voorgestel.
59

Towards ecological sustainable sanitation : Oshiwana Penduka informal settlement

Herero, Jan Johannes 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study undertakes a scientific investigation into the social and environmental problems encountered by the Oshiwana Penduka informal settlement as a result of the lack of a proper sanitation system. This informal settlement is located on the periphery of the municipal boundaries of the town of Mariental in Southern Namibia, about 270 kilometres south of the capital, Windhoek. The unique problem faced by the settlement is the absence of sanitation facilities or sewage system as a method of solid waste management. Needless to say, the informal settlement is characterized by overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of housing, unemployment and poverty. From the literature review, it became clear that inadequate water supply and sanitation posed serious implications to the physical environment and human health. The literature also reveals that these core challenges are propagated by the continual influx of people to urban areas and the re-birth of irregular settlements. In light of the above, the problem statements to be addressed are the following, namely: what is the impact of the absence of a proper and sustainable sanitation system on the inhabitants of the Oshiwana Penduka informal settlement and what can be done by the Mariental Municipality to address the concerns raised? The key research methods applied for this study entails individual semi-structured questionnaires and key informant groups. The answers to the interviewed questions are highlighted in chapter four and the interpretation of the research findings are constituted in the latter chapter. The hypothesis was proven false and the new model of thinking generated is suggesting that the prevailing social and environmental problems are caused by the absence of toilet facilities. It is evident to note from the study results that the negative social impact, which is being attributed by inadequate sanitation in the informal settlement, is severe and lethal to human health. In order to prove the hypothesis, data has been collected at household levels from the informal settlers. Despite the survey results which support the conventional water borne sanitation as the most preferred sanitation system, vacuum system as an ecological sanitation technology is recommended for this informal settlement. This particular sanitation system works on the principle of enhancing water conservation, recycling, reduction of health, and promotes environmental integrity. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie onderneem ʼn wetenskaplike ondersoek na die sosiale en omgewingsprobleme, wat ondervind word deur die Oshiwana Penduka informele nedersetting en die gebrek aan ʼn behoorlike sanitasie stelsel. Hierdie betrokke informele nedersetting is geleë aan die buitewyke van die munisipale grense van die dorp Mariental. Die dorp Mariental is geleë in die suidelike deel van Namibië, ongeveer 270 km suid van die hoofstad Windhoek. Die unieke problem wat hierdie nedersetting ondervind is die afwesigheid van sanitasie fasiliteite of ʼn rioolstelsel wat ʼn soliede metode van goeie rioolbeheer is. Hierdie nedersetting word gekenmerk deur oorbevolking, swak sanitasie, gebrek aan behuising, werkloosheid en armoede. Vanuit die literatuurstudie, het dit aan die lig gekom dat onvoldoende water toevoer en sanitasie ernstige implikasies vir die fisiese omgewing en die menslike gesondheid inhou. Die literatuur het ook aan die lig gebring dat hierdie basiese probleme vererger word deur die aanhoudende invloei van mense na die stedelike gebiede. In die lig van bogenoemde, is die probleemstelling wat aangespreek moet word, soos volg: wat is die gevolge van ʼn gebrek aan ʼn behoorlike en volhoubare sanitasiestelsel vir die inwoners van die informele nedersetting en wat kan die Mariental Munisipaliteit doen om hierdie problem aan te spreek? Die navorsingsmetode wat aangewend word bevat individuele semi- gestruktureerde vraelyste en sleutel fokusgroepe. Die antwoorde op die onderhoudsvraelyste word vervat in hoofstuk vier en die vertolking van die navorsingsbevinding word in die daaropvolgende hoofstuk aangebied. Die hipoteses was verkeerd bewys en die alternatief wat gegenereer is, stel voor dat die bestaande sosiale en omgewingsprobleme veroorsaak word deur die afwesigheid van toilet fasiliteite. Ten spyte van die navorsingsresultate, wat ʼn watersanitasiestelsel as die meeste verkose stelsel ondersteun, word ʼn suigstelsel as ekologiese volhoubare tegnologie vir hierdie informele nedersetting aanbeveel. Hierdie betrokke sanitasiestelsel toon verskeie voordele, onder andere bewaring van water, vermindering van gesondheidsprobleme en die bevordering van omgewingsvolhoubaarheid.
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The development of a risk management model supporting corporate governance in the City of Cape Town

Williams, Peter D. 04 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Good governance, improved service delivery and sound fiscal rnanagernent are sorne of the key initiatives of the National Government to create a better life for all South Africans as stated in the preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,1996 (Act 108 of 1996). Municipalities, in particular, have a specific reference framework in this regard. In each of these initiatives there is a certain amount of inherent risks which may hamper the Government's overall service delivery programmes. In terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act 56 of 2003) for Local Government, councillors and municipal managers are, inter alia, responsible to ensure good corporate governance, ensure effective, efficient and transparent systems of financial - and risk management, internal control as well as the managing and safeguarding of assets and to ensure sustainable service delivery to communities. Rendering services of a high standard, economically and utilising resources efficiently remains a challenge for South Africa as a whole and in particular for local government. The absence of a corporate mechanism or model for the City of Cape Town makes it difficult to ensure that risks are addressed in an integrated manner. The development of a risk management model supporting corporate governance for the City of Cape Town will endeavour to reduce and/or minimise its risks. The question that arises and which this research study seeks to provide an answer to is "How can the City of Cape Town deal with risks relating to corporate governance in order to fulfil its constitutional and legislative obligations to its community in a sustainable manner?" The findings of applicable risk management models and/or approaches implemented at organisations representing semi-private and private sectors were analysed for consideration during the development of a proposed risk management model for the City of Cape Town. Legislative requirements and specific developments on risk management in the public sector have been researched in an attempt to determine what local government is expected to do in addressing their risks. When addressing the issue of corporate governance, Chief Executive Officers should reassess their organisations' corporate culture and set the "tone from the top". In the City of Cape Town's case the City Manager has a critical role in balancing the need to address competitive forces and the need to consistently do the right things. Top Management should constantly evaluate the completeness and appropriateness of corporate governance policies and practices as well as critical processes, internal controls and other risk management practices. Furthermore, the quality and competence of all staff need to be examined to determine if they understand government's challenges with regard to corporate governance. The development of a risk management model for the City of Cape Town will enable the organisation to pro-actively address its risks in this regard to fulfil its constitutional and applicable legislative requirements. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Goeie regering, verbeterde dienslewering en gesonde finansiele bestuur is van die vername inisiatiewe van die Nasionale Regering om 'n beter lewe vir aile Suid-Afrikaners te skep soos vervat in die aanhef van die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika, 1996 (Wet 108 van 1996). In hierdie verband het munisipaliteite, in besonder, 'n spesifieke verwysingsraamwerk. In elk van hierdie inisialiewe is daar 'n sekere mate van inherente risiko's teenwoordig wat die Regering se algehele diensleweringsprogramme kan korlwiek. In terme van die Wet op Munisipale Finansiele Bestuur, 2003 (Wet 56 van 2003) vir Plaaslike Regering is, onder andere, raadslede en munisipale bestuurders, veranlwoordelik om goeie korporatiewe bestuur te verseker, doeltreffende, voordelige en deursigtige stelsels vir finansiele - en risikobestuur, interne beheer asook die bestuur en beskerming van bates te verseker en om volhoubare dienslewering aan gemeenskappe te verseker. Die lewering van dienste van 'n hoe standard, ekonomies en die voordeligste gebruik van hulpbronne is 'n uitdaging vir Suid-Afrika in bree en spesifiek oak vir plaaslike regering. Die afwesigheid van 'n korporatiewe meganisme of model maak dit moeilik vir die Stad Kaapstad om te verseker dat risiko's op 'n integrale wyse aangespreek word. Die onlwikkeling van 'n risikobestuursmodel ter ondersteuning van korporatiewe bestuur vir die Stad Kaapstad sal poog om risiko's te verminder en/te beperk. Die vraag wat ontstaan en wat deur hierdie navorsingstudie beanlwoord moet word is "Hoe kan die Stad Kaapstad risiko's ten opsigte van korporaliewe bestuur aanspreek ten einde te voldoen aan die konstitutionele en wetlike verpligtinge aan sy gemeenskap op 'n volhoubare wyse?" Die bevindinge van toepaslike risikobestuursmodelle en/of benaderings wat deur semi-privaat en private ondernemings ge"implementeer word, is ontleed vir oorweging gedurende die onlwikkeling van 'n voorgestelde risikobestuursmodel vir die Stad Kaapstad. Wetlike vereistes en spesifieke onlwikkelinge rondom risikobestuur in die openbare sektor is nagevors in 'n poging om vas te stel wat van plaaslike regerings verwag word lydens die aanspreek van hul risiko's. Wanneer die kwessie van korporatiewe bestuur aangespreek word, behoorl Hoof Uitvoerende Beamptes hul organisasies se korporatiewe kultuur te herevalueer asook die voorbeeld in hierdie opsig te stel. In verband met die Stad Kaapstad het die Stadsbestuurder 'n kritieke rol te speel om 'n balans te handhaaf tussen die behoefte van kompeterende magte en die behoefte om konstant die regte dinge te doen. Topbestuur behoorl die deeglikheid en toepaslikheid van korporatiewe bestuursbeleid en praklyke asook kritieke prosesse, interne beheer en ander risikobestuurspraklyke gereeld te evalueer. Voorls behoorl die gehalte en bevoegdheid van aile personeel nagesien te word om te bepaal of hulle die regering se uitdadings ten opsigte van korporatiewe bestuurs verstaan. Die onlwikkeling van 'n risikomodel vir die Stad Kaapstad sal die organisasie instaat stel om pro-aktief sy risiko's aan te spreek en sodoende aan sy konstitutionele en toepaslike wetlike vereistes te voldoen.

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