M.A. / The shift from the Old to the New Economy has developed due to four key trends, namely globalisation, consumerism, environmentalism and corporate governance. Globalisation and the Internet has resulted in consumers being able to track the behaviour of corporations (Vise, 2006:119) and consequently, a New Consumer has emerged, where emphasis on corporate transparency and the environment has become a key concern for these New Consumers. New Consumers are characterised by Lewis and Bridger (2000:21) as independent, sophisticated, involved and well informed about the production of goods and services, where these New Consumers are feeling the pressure to confront and act upon the fact that unbridled production and consumption, which was proliferate in the Old Economy, comes with escalating pollution at a significant human/animal/earth cost (Trendwatching, 2007). Moreover, in the world of globalisation and information overload, Salzer-Mörling and Strannegård (2004:224) argue that the proliferation of brands as well as a cluttered marketplace has meant that corporations now need to not only be differentiated in the marketplace, but also be distinct and one of the ways which corporations in the New Economy are achieving this is by focusing on the corporate brand as the point of differentiation.

Matematiklyftet är en statligt finansierad kompetensutveckling för matematiklärare. Jag har undersökt hur några av lärarna i en kommun har upplevt matematiklyftet och om det har fått några effekter på deras undervisning. Har lärarna blivit bättre på att undervisa alla elever så att de når målen? Jag har undersökt det här genom att jag har intervjuat tre stycken lärare som har gått matematiklyftet och de arbetar på olika skolor i kommunen. De har berättat om hur de upplevde matematiklyftet. Studien består av tre delar: Den första är vad det är för faktorer som påverkar kompetensutveckling, den andra är hur kompetensutvecklingen matematiklyftet har påverkat undervisningen och den tredje är hur undervisningen har påverkat elever i behov av stöd i matematik. De faktorer som jag i min undersökning kom fram till påverkade matematiklyftet var hur kommunen hade organiserat det hela. Faktorer som påverkade var bland annat skolledningen, lärargruppen, tiden och innehållet. Under matematiklyftet har jag sett att lärarna har gjort vissa förändringar i undervisningen, men alla dessa förändringar kom inte att bestå. En av de förändringar som alla lärarna gjorde var att de införde mer matematiska diskussioner i klassrummet. Den tredje delen handlar om elever i matematiksvårigheter. Lärarna tar upp att de som har koncentrationssvårigheter och ADHD fick svårt när lärarna gick matematiklyftet eftersom läraren genomförde aktiviteter som bröt mot det vanliga lektionsinnehållet. Lärarna tar samtidigt upp att alla elever hade nytta av att lärarna gick matematiklyftet, eftersom det gjorde att aktiviteterna som var med i matematiklyftet innehöll flera matematiska områden och tränade flera olika förmågor. Och det var bra även för elever med matematiksvårigheter. / Matematiklyftet is a government funded competence development programme for math teachers. I have examined how the teachers in one municipality have experienced matematiklyftet and its consequences in their teaching. Do the teachers become more skilled in teaching to get all the pupils to achieve a passing grade? I have done this by interviewing three teachers in different schools in the municipality who have taken this programme. They have given me their story of how they experienced matematiklyftet. I have examined three parts of the competence development programme. Number one: What are the elements that impact on the competence development programme. Number two: How does the competence development programme influence teaching. Number three: How does the competence development programme affect on pupils with special needs in mathematics. In my research I found that the elements that had an impact on matematiklyftet was how the municipality had organized matematiklyftet, the principal of the school, the teacher´s assembly and the programs contents. The second part was the consequences in teaching where I found out that all the changes in teaching procedure during matematiklyftet did not last afterwards, but one of the changes that all three teachers did and are still doing is that they are having mathematical discussions with the pupils. Finally the effect on pupils with special needs in mathematics where that the teachers noticed that pupils with ADHD or short span of focusing had difficulties since matematiklyftet made the teachers deviate from ordinary activities and content in math class. The teachers bring up that all students benefits from this programme because the activities within matematiklyftet contain several different areas in mathematics. And tests several different skills, which is beneficiary even for pupils with special needs in mathematics.

Cette recherche traite des programmes hiérarchiques attribuant des statuts à ses membres (e.g. Gold, Silver,…). La littérature suggère la supériorité de ce design sur les programmes dits « linéaires » car ils apportent plus de considération aux clients ayant atteint un certain niveau de dépenses. Pourtant, si un consommateur baisse sa consommation, l’entreprise devrait le rétrograder au statut inférieur ; or la rétrogradation a des effets délétères sur les intentions de fidélité. Cette recherche tente de pallier cette limite en répondant à deux questions : comment inciter le client à conserver son statut ? Ces incitations contribuent-elles à atténuer les effets négatifs de la rétrogradation ? Les résultats de quatre expérimentations conduites auprès de 922 personnes dans deux secteurs d’activités ont permis de montrer qu’il est possible d’inciter les consommateurs à modifier leur comportement pour conserver leur statut en utilisant la communication persuasive, via (1) des stratégies préventives, (2) le cadrage, et (3) en tenant compte de l’intensité de l’effort à réaliser pour le client. Enfin, les résultats montrent qu’il est possible d’atténuer les effets de la rétrogradation mais que les stratégies testées ne permettent pas d’annihiler totalement ses effets sur le consentement à payer, les intentions de fidélité et de prosélytisme. / This research focuses specifically on hierarchical programs (e.g. Gold, Silver). Literature empirically demonstrates the superiority of this kind of design ; they bring more consideration to customers who meet predefined spending level. However, if a customer falls short of the required spending level, firms have to downgrade him to a lower status and we know that demotion has negative effects on loyalty intentions. This research attempts to overcome this limitation by answering two questions : how to get the customer to maintain his/her status? and can we eliminate the negative effects of demotion ?The results of four experiments conducted with 965 people in two different sectors have shown that it is possible to encourage consumers to change their behavior to maintain their status using persuasive communication via (1) prevention strategies, (2) framing and (3) by taking into account effort intensity. Finally, the results show that it is possible to mitigate the effects of demotion but the tested strategies fail to completely eradicate their effects on willingness to pay, loyalty intentions and word of mouth.

Magister Artium (Human Ecology) - MA(HE) / The research employed a qualitative research paradigm. The ethnographic approach was used to conduct the research. Data collection was done though various ethnographic techniques, classroom observation, in-depth interviews and document analysis. The population was 85 women who participated in a Adult Basic Education and Training programme in Eersterivier in the Cape Peninsula area a questionnaire was used to collect demographic information of the participants Data was analysed by thematic analysis and coded, categorised and discussed according to the aim and objectives of the study in relation to previous studies The main findings were why exploring the existing literacy practice women were depended on others for literacy assistance, which made them avoid literacy events and become vulnerable in this process to cope with the everyday life. / South Africa

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / Mentoring has gained a great deal of popularity across various professional fields and disciplines over the past few years. More recently, planned mentoring has become an important form of intervention with young people (Philip, 2003). Although mentoring can be an effective strategy for dealing with youth, the mentoring is only as good as the relationship that develops out of the process between mentors and mentees and the match that is made between the two parties. The number of mentor programmes that is running continues to grow yet the quality of these programmes remains unknown as this area lacks agreed upon sets of standards and / bench marks that could be used to determine the effectiveness of these programmes (Sipe, 1988 -1995). The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the mentors' perceptions of the effectiveness of a mentor training programme run by Big Brother Big Sister South Africa. / South Africa

Magister Artium (Medical Anthropology) - MA(Med Ant) / This study focuses on socio-cultural issues, which affect Kavango women's decision to participate in the PMTCT programme. It investigates the treatment methods used by HIV-positive pregnant women for themselves and their unborn babies, neonatally, during pregnancy and after delivery, particularly in relation to the prevention of transmission of HIV. The thesis further investigates whether women choose alternative services such as traditional healers for medical attention during pregnancy, birth and post-natally. The research aims to establish and describe the role of local notions and practices concerning anti-retrovirals on the aforementioned programme. Ethnographic and thus qualitative research methods were used to gather and analyze data. I spent three months working as a nurse in two health facilities that offer PMTCT in Rundu, Kavango. I also held semi-structured and open-ended interviews, formal and informal discussions, formal and informal focus groups with nurses, community counselors, pregnant women, women who had recently given birth in the health care facility and traditional health care practitioners. In the case of the latter, I utilized narratives of healing to understand their perception of HIV/AIDS, their beliefs and practices as well as their healing methods. Furthermore, I employed other informal conversations outside the formal research participants. The study shows that there is a paucity of partner involvement and in some cases women have to first seek permission from their partner before enrolling into the programme. My research findings further indicate that women utilized various traditional herbal medicines for themselves and their babies as part of their cultural beliefs and practices. It was evident that some of these, such as Likuki, affect women's participation in and adherence to the protocols of the PMTCT programme. / South Africa

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / Playing related musculoskeletal disorder (PRMD) is common among instrumentalists, professionals, amateurs and music students with a prevalence ranging from 39-47% with an impact on playing and performance. This is synonymous to the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among other work population. Risk factors such as lack of warm ups, awkward posture, long playing hours and bad techniques has been consistently indicated as risk factors influencing the incidence of PRMDs among instrumentalists. The aim of this study is to design a warm up programme for instrumentalists. The study population and sample are instrumentalists at the Centre for Performing Arts, University of the Western Cape. A cross sectional study design with a quantitative approach was utilized in this study to determine the prevalence, severity, distribution of PRMDs and its association with quality of life. All the instrumentalists learning or playing a musical instrument of the Centre for Performing Arts was approached to participate in this study. In the first phase of the study, a self administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding prevalence, distribution and the severity of PRMDs and health related quality of life. The instruments for this study are the standard NORDIC questionnaire for musculoskeletal disorders to determine pain distribution and prevalence, the visual analogue scale to determine the pain severity and the WHOQOL –BREF, a quality of life questionnaire and an adapted questionnaire to determine the knowledge of instrumentalists about injury prevention strategies. The second phase of the study, a systematic review of evidence was done on the pattern of warm up and practice habits of instrumentalists. The third phase of the study to design the content of the study was done using a Delphi study. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi square was used to determine the association of prevalence, distribution and severity on quality of life. Alpha level was set at 0.05. Ethical clearance and permission to conduct study was sought, written informed consents from participants was sought clearly stating the right to participate and withdraw from study was respected and anonymity and confidentiality was be ensured. The results of the study show that 82.4 % lifetime prevalence and current prevalence of 23.5 % among instrumental musicians in a Centre for Performing Arts. The shoulder (41.2 %), neck (29.4 %) and the wrists and hands (29.4%) are the mostly affected region on the body. The most common symptoms are tightness and soreness. However, the results of the systematic review shows that there is a lack of operational term for warm up in the performing arts and this therefore could be responsible for the variations in the influence of warm up on the prevention of PRMDs. The content of the warm up programme was designed using a Delphi study and stretching and postural awareness were included with musical warm up as part of a regular warm up exercise, although, consensus was not reached on the duration of the warm up programme. Strengthening and conditioning were included to in a different exercise program done three times per week. Education on injury prevention strategies were also included in the programme and the mode of instruction agreed on was active learning and group instruction in classroom. The role of warm up exercise in the prevention of PRMDs using this model could reduce the incidence of PRMDs. However, it is important to note that the programme should be tested in order to determine the overall effect it has on PRMDs. / South Africa

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The aim of this study was to prospectively, evaluate the effectiveness of an individually designed home-based physical activity programme in combination with massage therapy, on motor and cognitive development in children infected with HIV. This study used a randomized controlled trial design. One hundred and twenty-eight infants and toddlers (children) were recruited between March 2010 and September 2010 and randomly allocated to receive either an individually designed home-based physical activity programme in combination with massage therapy or standard treatment and massage on a 1:1 ratio. Motor and cognitive development was measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development third edition (Bayley-III)

Magister Public Health - MPH / Background: Although great strides have been made in reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) in Namibia, the universal target of less than 5% by 2015 has not yet been achieved. In an effort to scale-up services in the programme, a comprehensive family centred approach which broadens HIV prevention activities and considers HIV as a family disease was instituted. However its success has been affected by low male partner participation in the programme. Study aim: To investigate factors influencing male partner involvement in MTCT-plus programme in Gobabis District, Omaheke Region, Namibia. Study design and data collection: This was a cross sectional descriptive study that wasconducted using a qualitative research methodology. Data was generated through focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews. Four same sex FGDs were conducted with men and pregnant women. The study participants were HIV positive pregnant women and HIV positive women in their postnatal period purposefully selected from the PMTCT clients. A few male participants were partners of the female participants and other men conveniently sampled from the community. Seven in-depth interviews were conducted to gather information from key informants who were programme managers and midwives. Thematic analysis was used for the data analysis. Results: Men were generally knowledgeable and appreciated the importance of participating in the MTCT-plus programme but the majority of them did not participate. They cited several barriers to actively supporting their partners. Men‘s participation in the MTCT-plus programme was affected by lack of trust in the health workers and cultural practices that shift the role of taking care of their partners to the biological parents. The other barriers included HIV related stigma, unfriendly environment at the antenatal care clinics, time and work related constraints, having many sexual partners and gender and power imbalances in relationships that affect patterns of communication on HIV related matters. Discussion: Participation in the MTCT-plus programme is well supported by men. However, few men put this into practice because of complexities surrounding their specific role in women reproductive health issues, as well as cultural practices and health facilities organizational structures that preclude men from participation in the MTCT-plus programme. Given the positive attitude by men towards participation in this programme, creating a male friendly space within the MTCT-plus programme and empowering men to participate in them should be prioritized for the programme to achieve its goals.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / There are number of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in South Africa that use sport as a tool to respond to HIV/AIDS mainly among young people, however, little is reported about the outcomes and impact of these programmes. The aim of this study is to contribute to a generic monitoring and evaluation framework by improving the options for the use of outcome indicators of sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes of selected NGOs in South Africa. The research followed a qualitative multiple case study design using multiple data collection instruments. The overall findings revealed that the sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes of five selected NGOs examined in this study focus on similar HIV prevention messages within the key priorities highlighted in the current National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB of South Africa. The HIV prevention messages of selected NGOs are also in line with the commitments and targets of the 2011 UN Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS. The sport-based HIV/AIDS programmes target youth with messages that raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, HIV risk behaviours and HIV stigma. Furthermore messages that promote uptake of health services such as HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) and Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC). However, evaluating outcomes and impact of such programmes remains a challenge. Descriptive information and outputs are more recorded rather than information about the actual outcomes which occurred as a result of sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes. The use of multiple data collection instruments in conjunction with approaches of the ten-step model to a result-based monitoring and evaluation systems enables this study to propose a total of fifty one generic outcome indicators. These generic outcome indicators focus on measuring change in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and change in attitude and intention towards HIV risk behaviours. In addition, this study further proposed a total of eight generic outcome indicators to measurepredictors of HIV risk behaviour. The selected NGOs can adapt the proposed generic outcomes and indicators based on the settings of their programmes. It can be concluded that the proposed generic outcome indicators are able to assist the NGOs to improve monitoring and evaluation of their sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes. A collaborative approach by all stakeholders is required, from international organisations, funders, governments, NGOs and communities to strengthening monitoring and evaluation of sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes including other development programmes.