The study investigated the factors that are responsible for student dropout rates at Gert Sibande FET College. A random sampling method was used to select participants for this study. A quantitative approach was used in this study. Accordingly, data were collected using a questionnaire designed in a Likert scale format. The study was limited to students at Gert Sibande FET College’s two campuses, namely, Evander and Sibanesetfu. Subsequently, the findings revealed that socio-economic factors, institutional policies and funding strongly explain the prevalent dropout rates at these two campuses. It is recommended that, adoption of student centred funding model, cultivation of relationships between lecturers and students as well as restructuring learning schedules be factored in during policy development. The findings confirmed that these recommendations would help reverse continuous dropouts currently experienced at Gert Sibande FET College. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The study investigated the factors that are responsible for student dropout rates at Gert Sibande FET College. A random sampling method was used to select participants for this study. A quantitative approach was used in this study. Accordingly, data were collected using a questionnaire designed in a Likert scale format. The study was limited to students at Gert Sibande FET College’s two campuses, namely, Evander and Sibanesetfu. Subsequently, the findings revealed that socio-economic factors, institutional policies and funding strongly explain the prevalent dropout rates at these two campuses. It is recommended that, adoption of student centred funding model, cultivation of relationships between lecturers and students as well as restructuring learning schedules be factored in during policy development. The findings confirmed that these recommendations would help reverse continuous dropouts currently experienced at Gert Sibande FET College. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

A travel management programme allows an organisation to manage corporate travel expenditure, and through a well-formulated travel policy, to control its travel expenses. Traveller non-compliance of the travel policy is an increasing area of concern with surveys conducted amongst travellers showing various reasons for non-compliance, both deliberate and unknowing. This study goes beyond established reasons and argues that non-compliance may also be the result of underlying factors not yet fully investigated or recognised by management and industry in general. Two broadly conceptualised factors that influence travel policy compliance are identified. The first is termed corporate related factors and the second, personal related factors. The overall purpose of this study was to conceptualise and test a model of travel policy compliance based on these factors. To achieve this, a literature review as well as empirical research was conducted. Finally, a conceptual model for policy compliance was proposed which served as the framework for the empirical research and from which hypotheses were derived and tested. The empirical research was conducted as a formal, descriptive and explanatory study. Corporate travel management, Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and corporate travellers made up the target populations of the study. Non-probability sampling methods, namely purposive and convenience sampling were used in this study. The researcher used qualitative as well as quantitative methods to gather data. In depth interviews and the Delphi technique, a qualitative method; was used to collect data from TMCs and management for the purpose of establishing an exhaustive list of possible determinants of policy non-compliance. Quantitative methods used to collect data from corporate travellers included self-administered, structured questionnaires. A multinomial logistic regression modelling technique was used to test the conceptual model in order to identify the factors that have the most significant influence on policy compliance. A limitation of the study within which data analysis occurred was the low response rate. This limitation was taken into account in the interpretation of the results and the recommendations. The study shows a number of significant results and as such provides a valuable contribution to the corporate travel literature by being the first study of its kind to measure the impact of factors not previously identified. This study shows that travel policy non-compliance within organisations needs to be viewed at a much deeper level than previously considered. The results show corporate-related factors such as an ineffective travel policy, lacking control measures and perceived organisational injustice have a significant influence on policy compliance. Personal related factors such as self-interest could also impact policy compliance significantly. The results should enable corporate travel management to identify factors within their organisations that could lead to non-compliance. The implementation of the tested model could lead to a higher compliance rate within organisations and ultimately to considerable cost-savings. / Thesis (DCom)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Tourism Management / unrestricted

All individuals are unique in their characteristics. As such, their positive and negative contributions to system performance differ. In any system that is not fully automated, the effect of the human participants has to be considered when one is interested in the performance optimization of the system. Humans are intelligent, adaptive, and learn over time. At the same time, humans are error-prone. Therefore, in situations where human and hardware have to interact and complement each other, the system faces advantages and disadvantages from the role the humans play. It is this role and its effect on performance that is the focus of this dissertation. When analyzing the role of people, one can focus on providing resources to enable the human participants to produce more. Alternatively, one can strive to ensure the occurrence of less frequent and impactful errors. The focus of the analysis in this dissertation is the latter. Our analysis can be categorized into two parts. In the first part of our analysis, we consider a short term planning horizon and focus directly on failure risk analysis. What can be done about the risk stemming from the human participant? Any proactive steps that can be taken will have the advantage of reducing risk, but will also have a cost associated with it. We develop a cost-benefit analysis to enable a decision-maker to choose the optimal course of action for revenue maximization. We proceed to use this model to calculate the minimum acceptable level of risk, and the associated skill level, to ensure system profitability. The models developed are applied to a case study that comes from a manufacturing company in Ontario, Canada. In the second part of our analysis, we consider a longer planning horizon and are focused on output maximization. Human learning, and its effect on output, is considered. In the first model we develop, we use learning curves and production forecasting models to optimally assign operators, in order to maximize system output. In the second model we develop, we perform a failure risk analysis in combination with learning curves, to forecast the total production of operators. Similar to the first part of our analysis, we apply the output maximization models to the aforementioned case study to better demonstrate the concepts.

All individuals are unique in their characteristics. As such, their positive and negative contributions to system performance differ. In any system that is not fully automated, the effect of the human participants has to be considered when one is interested in the performance optimization of the system. Humans are intelligent, adaptive, and learn over time. At the same time, humans are error-prone. Therefore, in situations where human and hardware have to interact and complement each other, the system faces advantages and disadvantages from the role the humans play. It is this role and its effect on performance that is the focus of this dissertation. When analyzing the role of people, one can focus on providing resources to enable the human participants to produce more. Alternatively, one can strive to ensure the occurrence of less frequent and impactful errors. The focus of the analysis in this dissertation is the latter. Our analysis can be categorized into two parts. In the first part of our analysis, we consider a short term planning horizon and focus directly on failure risk analysis. What can be done about the risk stemming from the human participant? Any proactive steps that can be taken will have the advantage of reducing risk, but will also have a cost associated with it. We develop a cost-benefit analysis to enable a decision-maker to choose the optimal course of action for revenue maximization. We proceed to use this model to calculate the minimum acceptable level of risk, and the associated skill level, to ensure system profitability. The models developed are applied to a case study that comes from a manufacturing company in Ontario, Canada. In the second part of our analysis, we consider a longer planning horizon and are focused on output maximization. Human learning, and its effect on output, is considered. In the first model we develop, we use learning curves and production forecasting models to optimally assign operators, in order to maximize system output. In the second model we develop, we perform a failure risk analysis in combination with learning curves, to forecast the total production of operators. Similar to the first part of our analysis, we apply the output maximization models to the aforementioned case study to better demonstrate the concepts.

Thesis (M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Learners’ academic achievement occupies a very important place in education as well as in the learning process. This study was therefore conducted to investigate factors causing the underperformance of grade 12 learners in secondary schools in Ermelo, Msukaligwa 1 circuit in Gert Sibande district Mpumalanga Province. The qualitative approach was used. Qualitative data generation techniques (semi- structured face to face, observations and document analysis) were used to solicit the understanding of parents, grade 12 learners, grade 12 teachers and heads of department with regard to the phenomenon being studied. The sample size of 22 participants (6 parents, 6 learners, 4 heads of departments and 6 grade 12 teachers) were selected through purposive sampling technique. Data generated through interviews was analysed by using thematic analysis approach. Findings revealed that there are possible factors that cause poor academic performance in Grade 12. Factors include home related factors, school related factors, teacher related factors, parent related factors and learner related factors. Identified home related factors were the size of the family, unpredictable environment at home as well as low financial income. School related factors included overcrowded classrooms, shortage of textbooks, planned and unplanned programmes. Teacher related factors included non-attendance of classes, inadequate content coverage, non-implementation of subject improvement strategies and excessive code switching. Learner related factors included late coming and attitude towards learning. Parent related factors include poor parental support and inadequate level of education. Based on the findings, the study recommends that appointed heads of department should be responsible for the management of subjects they are qualified to manage. Again, the department of education revisits the implementation of the policy of progression so that only learners deserving to be promoted to the next grade are promoted.

The purpose of study is to investigate the effects of school characteristics on students&rsquo / mathematics achievement across Turkey by analyzing the data collected from school questionnaire, student background questionnaire and mathematics achievement test in Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2007. The analyzed sample was comprised of 4,498 students in 146 schools. Student level factors were highest level of education of either parent, students speak the language of test at home, students&rsquo / parents born in country, books in home, computer and internet connection, computer use, index of time students spend doing mathematics homework in a normal school week, index of students&rsquo / positive affect toward mathematics, index of students&rsquo / valuing mathematics, index of students&rsquo / self confidence in learning mathematics. School related factors were principals reports on the percentages of students in their schools coming from economically disadvantaged homes, principals report on the percentage of students having the language of test as their native language, index of good attendance, principals time spent on various school related activities, schools encouragement of parental involvement, index of school resources for mathematics instruction, index of principals perception of school climate. Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was used for analysis. The result of the study showed that 45% of variance between schools, 54.6 % of variance was in schools, 57.33 % of school variance in mathematics achievement accounted by principals&rsquo / report on percentages of students coming from economically disadvantaged homes, parents to volunteer for school programs, school resources for mathematics instruction and principals&rsquo / perception of school climate.

Background: The high levels of sickness absence and disability pensioning experienced during the 1990's and 2000's have become both socially as well as financially burdensome for society. Sickness absence implies a costly loss of production for society and large groups of individuals are risking to become marginalised on the labour market. Sickness absence is both a public health and an economic problem. Thus from both a human approach as well as from an economic perspective it is urgent to increase knowledge about what influences individual behaviour when it comes to sickness absence and return to work. Objectives: The overall aim of the thesis is to elucidate the decisive factors for explaining sickness absence. Three different aspects of sickness absence were considered, i.e. factors leading to sickness absence, factors preventing sickness absence and factors leading back to work ability and work when being sickness absent. This is done using a frame of reference involving broadly defined areas of work, health and social insurance related factors. Material and methods: Study I analyzes the outcome of unemployed sick-listed individuals. A total of 280 individuals from the county of Värmland were followed through register data between the years 2000 to 2001. Linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the occurrence of short and long term economic incentives. Study II has a longitudinal design and explores determinants of return to work. Sick-listed individuals with a stress-related psychiatric diagnosis from the county of Värmland were analyzed over a period of three years (2000-2003) using logistic regression. The data comprised 911 individuals. Study III is a cross-sectional study using questionnaire data from the county of Värmland from year 2004. A total of 3123 persons either working or being self employed were analyzed on determinants of work presence through logistic regression. Study IV had a cross-sectional design and used questionnaire data from five counties in central Sweden. The data, from 2004, comprised 10536 individuals being employed, i.e. not self-employed, and with self reported physical and mental medical conditions. Logistic regression was mainly used in the analysis and the focus was on risk factors for long term sickness absence. Study V comprises cross-sectional data retrieved at three separate occasions between 1991 and 1994. It includes 8839 individuals from five counties in western Sweden with sickness absence spells over 60 days. The data was analysed through bi-variate probit regression with a focus on effects of vocational rehabilitation on return to work. Results: The results from study I were interpreted as that both short and long term economic incentives matter for the outcome of sickness absence through the interaction of different insurance systems. The principal findings from study II was that age, gender and factors implying less favourable health characteristics and thereby lower work capacity, reduce probabilities of returning to work after long term sickness absence. Considering study III determinants of work presence were found to vary between sexes and whether the determinants were counteracting long or short term sickness absence. Factors interpreted as job control counteracted short term absence. Sense of coherence was found to be an important determinant of work presence for women. In study IV long term sickness absence was found to be related to the level of ill-health. Moreover it was concluded that work environment factors as job strain, job satisfaction, physical work environment were important factors for explaining sickness absence in a population with impaired health. The results from study V indicated that vocational rehabilitation is a potentially effective instrument for improving the individual's work ability and chances of return to work. That no signs of prioritizing selection of rehabilitation participants to those likely to return to work with or without rehabilitation measures, i.e. "managerial creaming", were found was also considered as important results. Conclusions: This thesis shows that we need different models and approaches to improve knowledge about the various aspects of sickness absence as entry into absence, return to work or into disability retirement. It also has the implications that sickness absence behaviour can be influenced. Largely depending on what long term path is chosen for welfare policy at the political level it should be acknowledged that other means, improving working conditions and promoting rehabilitation rather than reducing benefit levels and narrowing the eligibility criteria for the insurance benefits are at hand.

Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar o conceito de vacinação contra influenza (VCI) em idosos. A análise do conceito, segundo Rodgers (2000) permite definir o conceito, identificar seus atributos essenciais, os eventos antecedentes, conseqüentes e fatores relacionados, bem como, os avanços e dificuldades na adesão dos idosos a essa vacina. Integrado a essa análise a revisão integrativa da literatura (Whittemore e Knafl, 2005), identifica o problema, adesão dos idosos à vacinação contra influenza, que orienta a coleta dos dados na literatura, cuja amostra é avaliada quanto à sua qualidade, e submetida à análise e apresentação dos resultados pertinentes ao conceito em questão. A busca nas bases de dados LILACS, PUBMED e Biblioteca Cochrane, originou 40 artigos que foram eleitos para este estudo. Os atributos da VCI em idosos são explicitados pela periodicidade anual e tipos de vírus que a compõe, que estão atrelados aos atributos dos idosos, evidenciados pela idade (grupo etário), sexo, raça e etnia, grupo de risco, suscetibilidade e vulnerabilidade à influenza e imunossenescência. Como eventos antecedentes à VCI constam: aumento da morbidade e moratalidade, surtos, epidemias ligados à influenza e probabilidade de ocorrer nova pandemia; presença de co-morbidades; percepção da severidade da influenza; fatores sócio-econômicos e demográficos; percepção da própria saúde; conhecimentos, crenças, atitudes frente à VCI; informações e experiência prévia com a VCI e/ou influenza; estado vacinal; intenção de vacinar; consulta médica recente; acesso ao serviço de saúde; e não recomendação dessa vacina pelo profissional da saúde. Dentre os eventos conseqüentes da VCI destacam-se o aumento das taxas de cobertura vacinal; ampliação das metas a alcançar na VCI; redução das taxas de morbidade e moratalidade em idosos; eficácia e efetividade da VCI e eventos adversos. Os fatores relacionados são referidos pelas campanhas anuais da VCI, recomendação da VCI (por profissionais da saúde, mídia e familiares e amigos), uso de protocolos, monitoramento do vírus influenza e conscientização profissional sobre a importância da recomendação da VCI. Destacam-se entre os elementos fortemente associados à adesão da VCI os idosos com mais de 65 anos, presença de co-morbidades (hipertensão e diabetes), informações corretas sobre a VCI, facilidade de acesso e uso dos serviços de saúde, consultas médicas recentes, VCI prévia, aumento da morbidade e mortalidade causada pela influenza e suas complicações. Entre as barreiras que comprometem a aceitação da VCI constam o medo dos eventos adversos e a não recomendação dessa vacina pelo profissional da saúde. Apesar das taxas de cobertura vacinal contra influenza estarem aumentando nos últimos anos, ainda estão aquém da meta preconizada pela OMS para 2010: vacinar 75% dos idosos. Acredita-se que investir em ações educativas para fortalecer a responsabilização dos profissionais e usuários dos serviços públicos de saúde, possa influenciar na adesão de idosos à VCI, e avançar em políticas públicas com estratégias destinadas à promoção da saúde e prevenção de doenças na população idosa, em franco crescimento no mundo atual. / This study aimed to analyze the concept of vaccination against influenza (VCI) in elderly people. Rodgers (2000) concept analysis permits to define the concept, identify its essential attributes, previous and consequent events, and the related factors, as well as the advances and difficulties in the adherence of elderly people to this vaccination. The integrative literature review (Whittemore and Knafl, 2005) identifies the problem, adherence of elderly people to vaccination against influenza, which orients data collection in literature. The sample was assessed regarding its quality and subject to analysis and presentation of results pertinent to the concept at issue. Searches in LILACS, PUBMED and Cochrane Library resulted in 40 articles elected to this study. The VCI attributes in elderly people are expressed by the annual periodicity and types of viruses that form it, which are related to the attributes of elderly people, evidenced by age (age group), gender, race and ethnic group, risk group, susceptibility and vulnerability to influenza and immunosenescence. Previous events to VCI were: increase in morbidity and mortality, outbreaks, epidemics related to influenza and probability of new pandemic; presence of co-morbidities; perception of influenzas severity; socioeconomic and demographic factors; perception of own health; knowledge, beliefs and attitudes regarding VCI; previous information and experience with VCI and/or influenza; immunization status; intention to vaccinate; recent medical appointment; access to health services; and non-recommendation of this vaccine by health professionals. Among the events resulting from VCI, the increase of immunization coverage rates; increase of goals targeted in VCI; reduction of morbidity and mortality rates in elderly people; efficacy and effectiveness of VCI and adverse events are highlighted. The related factors are referred by annual VCI campaigns, recommendation of VCI (by health professionals, media, relatives and friends), use of protocols, monitoring of the influenza virus and professional awareness about the importance and recommendation of VCI. Elements strongly associated to adherence to VCI are elderly people with more than 65 years of age, the presence of co-morbidities (hypertension and diabetes), correct information about VCI, access facility to health services, recent medical appointments, previous VCI, increase in morbidity and mortality caused by influenza and its complications. Among the barriers that compromise the acceptance of VCI are the fear of adverse events and the non-recommendation of the vaccine by health professionals. Despite the increase of immunization coverage rates against influenza in the last years, they are still below the target recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization) for 2010: to vaccinate 75% of the elderly. It is believed investing in educational actions to strengthen the responsibility of professionals and users of public health services can influence the adherence of elderly people to VCI. It can also permit advances in public policies with strategies targeting health promotion and the prevention of diseases in the elderly population, which is increasing worldwide.

Verticillium wilt is a serious disease in a wide range of economic crops worldwide. Verticillium wilt of potato is caused, primarily, by the fungus Verticillium dahliae. Disease management requires understanding of V. dahliae pathogenesis and interactions with potato, which was the main objective of this study. A differential potato-V. dahliae pathosystem was established where pathogenicity of four V. dahliae isolates with different levels of aggressiveness was evaluated on two potato cultivars, Kennebec (susceptible) and Ranger Russet (moderately resistant). External and internal symptoms and growth measurements revealed that isolates Vd1396-9 and Vs06-14 are highly and weakly aggressive, respectively. These two isolates were selected for transcriptomics and proteomics investigations to identify pathogenicity-related factors. Transciptomics analysis was conducted in both isolates after elicitation by root extracts from either Kennebec or Ranger Russet using a combinational approach involving subtractive hybridization and cDNA-AFLP. A total of 573 differentially expressed transcripts were detected in one or the other isolate. Among them, 185 transcripts of interest were recovered, re-amplified, sequenced and searched against NCBI and the Broad Institute V. dahliae genome databases for identification. The two contrasting-aggressiveness isolates were used for a comparative proteomics investigation. The first proteomic map of V. dahliae was established. The proteomics analysis was carried out using 2-Dimentional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Twenty five proteins were differentially expressed and identified in one or the other isolate. Many of the identified genes/proteins showed potential involvement in pathogenesis of V. dahliae or other fungi. Genes of stress response regulator A (oxidative stress tolerance factor), isochorismatase hydrolase (potential plant defense suppressor) and tetrahydroxynaphthalene reductase (involved in melanin and microsclerotia formation) were isolated from both isolates and cloned. Sequence analysis of these genes showed many differences that may explain their differential expression in the two isolates. Given that some of the identified genes/proteins are potentially involved in overcoming and suppressing plant defense, phenolics were profiled in Kennebec-inoculated with Vd1396-9 or Vs06-14 isolate. Chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic acids, cis-jasmone and rutin accumulation showed variations after inoculation. The results obtained from this study will help understanding the V. dahliae-potato interactions and develop efficient strategies to control Verticillium wilt disease.