The purpose of this study was to evaluate some of the achievements of the camp in furthering the social development of the campers as a means of directing future procedures used in the camp.

No / A breakthrough theory that tools and technology are the real drivers of human evolution. Although humans are one of the great apes, along with chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, we are remarkably different from them. Unlike our cousins who subsist on raw food, spend their days and nights outdoors, and wear a thick coat of hair, humans are entirely dependent on artificial things, such as clothing, shelter, and the use of tools, and would die in nature without them. Yet, despite our status as the weakest ape, we are the masters of this planet. Given these inherent deficits, how did humans come out on top?

Corruption remains one of the most enduring phenomenon across the world and notably in Sub Saharan Africa where its scope and depth still culminate generally at distressing levels to a greater or lesser extent across countries and regions. This study presents an empirical analysis of the causes and association types of corruption across SADC countries. Through quantitative methods of analysis, it delivers an assessment of the conditional effect of the human capital and social development along with their respective and combined impact on a corruption model using panel data and multivariate regression estimates across the fifteen SADC countries for the period 2005 - 2013. The research then identifies other covariates economic or institutional - and their functional dependence to the hypothesised triad nexus - that may predict the diversity of corruption level outcomes in the region.The hypotheses considered and tested suggest that both human capital (HC) and social development (SD) are key determinants of corruption outcome levels. We report consistently strong R squared (R2) and high magnitude coefficients for the two variables under several estimation models and for various other control economic and governance variables. For robustness testing, alternate measures of corruption are also used. The results mostly but not entirely support the initial findings. The inclusion of the institutional variables does not confirm for SADC countries the largely found negative association of corruption with democracy and press freedom. Hence young and developing democracies across the region may not benefit from lower levels of corruption in the short run as institutional frameworks in formation remain weak. Meanwhile this research did not allow to derive clear arguments in relation to true causality and effects’ directions. The results remain agnostic with regards to causation between corruption and the selected explanatory variables. In the end human capital and social development in particular were found to be strong and consistent predictors of corruption control and the associations remain robust and significant under numerous specifications. While omnipresent rhetoric has largely focused on the political dimensions of corruption this study provides a substantial evidence and a nuance contribution to knowledge and literature to the concept of corruption by introducing the interaction effects of human capital and social development which indicate that both explanatory variables are consistent predictors of corruption control levels. In the footsteps of Sen’s theory, it offers a new frame which grants an understanding of the phenomenon of corruption from a capability and human development approach as a new avenue for research. All of which has crucial policy implications for concerned governments. Indeed, efforts to stamp out corruption should be designed first to eliminate or mitigate the root - conditions of its incidence focusing on policies geared towards better education and higher living standards. Relying chiefly on oversight agencies and lending disproportionate attention to enforcement actions and regulatory frameworks would indeed prove to be a misplaced priority. Fundamentally this thesis argues a new scheme of intelligibility, a renewed “episteme” of corruption which refers to the order of human developmental structures underlying the production of corrupt practices. / Business Management / D.B.L.

Co-operatives, particularly worker co-operatives, form an integral part of the social and economic development efforts of the South African government. However, worker co-operatives have not achieved the expected results and have mostly remained survivalist in nature, In the literature study, this research explored the potential of worker co-operatives in terms of social and economic development, the state of worker co-operatives in South Africa according to previous research and the challenges faced by worker co-operatives. The submission is that worker co-operatives can only reach their potential in social development when they achieve business success. Therefore, business success factors were determined and criteria for these co-operatives to be classified as successful established. These criteria were as follows:  Longevity (operating for more than three years).  Profitability (showing a surplus for at least one year).  Financial Independence (operating without external funding for at least one year).  Member Income (at least R955 per member per month). The research population for the research was actively operating worker co-operatives registered as clients with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda). A questionnaire exploring the demographics of members, the financial position of the co-operatives and the way in which they were managed and operated were developed. The questionnaire contained questions with regard to financial practices and management, marketing management and activities, operations management, human resource management, management processes.and the support received from development institutions. In addition to the evaluation of the business performance in terms of the criteria for success, the research evaluates the way in which worker co-operatives are managed and operated in terms of established business practices. It, moreover, explores the impact of support initiatives by government institutions and a framework for future development efforts is suggested. The study‟s results show that worker co-operatives are operating at a level where they are unable to fulfil their expected role in economic and social development. Various management and operational challenges were identified. Moreover, it was found that current support initiatives do not have the desired developmental effect. / PhD (Business Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Co-operatives, particularly worker co-operatives, form an integral part of the social and economic development efforts of the South African government. However, worker co-operatives have not achieved the expected results and have mostly remained survivalist in nature, In the literature study, this research explored the potential of worker co-operatives in terms of social and economic development, the state of worker co-operatives in South Africa according to previous research and the challenges faced by worker co-operatives. The submission is that worker co-operatives can only reach their potential in social development when they achieve business success. Therefore, business success factors were determined and criteria for these co-operatives to be classified as successful established. These criteria were as follows:  Longevity (operating for more than three years).  Profitability (showing a surplus for at least one year).  Financial Independence (operating without external funding for at least one year).  Member Income (at least R955 per member per month). The research population for the research was actively operating worker co-operatives registered as clients with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda). A questionnaire exploring the demographics of members, the financial position of the co-operatives and the way in which they were managed and operated were developed. The questionnaire contained questions with regard to financial practices and management, marketing management and activities, operations management, human resource management, management processes.and the support received from development institutions. In addition to the evaluation of the business performance in terms of the criteria for success, the research evaluates the way in which worker co-operatives are managed and operated in terms of established business practices. It, moreover, explores the impact of support initiatives by government institutions and a framework for future development efforts is suggested. The study‟s results show that worker co-operatives are operating at a level where they are unable to fulfil their expected role in economic and social development. Various management and operational challenges were identified. Moreover, it was found that current support initiatives do not have the desired developmental effect. / PhD (Business Administration), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

I conducted a study in which I examined the understanding of how teachers think about the importance of play for children's language and social development. To answer this, I have used previous research and literature that I consider to be relevant to my study. It includes mainly what play is and its historical development, the child's interaction in the play, and teachers' presence in the play and what significance the play has for children's language development. The method I have used to get answers to my questions are qualitative interviews and I have interviewed four active educators working with children aged 1-5 years. The result showed that it is the preschool teachers responsibility to include all children in the play, while it is important to be sensitive when children show that they want to play themselves, children's play must be respected as well as language and social progress go "hand in hand" in play.

Living in poverty and persistent low income has detrimental impacts on many facets of the lives of parents and children. During the early years of the new millennium this was of primary concern to the Scottish and UK governments: in response, policies were implemented to improve children's developmental outcomes, and to increase both maternal employment and levels of income for low paid and unemployed families. Previous qualitative research on families living in poverty revealed that families have varying degrees of additional vulnerability depending on their levels of social assets, e.g. social support, and financial vulnerabilities, e.g. debt and financial stress. High levels of social assets appeared to attenuate, and low levels of social assets appeared to exacerbate, the negative impacts of living in poverty. These social and financial assets/vulnerabilities comprise two of the five domains of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) quantified for use in this thesis. This thesis explores what impacts, if any, social and financial assets/vulnerabilities have on children's cognitive (C) development, as measured by naming vocabulary and picture similarities, and on their social, emotional and behavioural (SEB) development as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. To achieve this aim this research uses the first five sweeps of the annually-collected longitudinal Growing up in Scotland (GUS) birth cohort study. The analysis uses the technique of factor analysis to derive the latent constructs financial and social assets/vulnerabilities, and OLS multiple regression analysis with quasi-variance to test the associations. The research employs multiple dimensions of economic disadvantage - longitudinal income poverty, material deprivation, longitudinal income poverty and material deprivation combined, and longitudinal income inequality - to explore the effects, not only between the lengths of time people have lived in poverty, but also across the income inequality spectrum, i.e. persistent low income versus persistent high income. The results of the research show that high maternal social assets and financial vulnerabilities separately are associated with higher and lower levels of child SEB development respectively, especially for children living in persistent low income. The relationship did not hold for children’s cognitive development. It also reveals that children whose mothers are experiencing additional financial stress and debt have lower CSEB scores (but not picture similarities), especially in relation to SEB development. There is also a relationship between social and financial assets/vulnerabilities: having high social assets is statistically associated with lower financial stress and debt for those living with lower incomes. This thesis argues that mothers, families and children living in poverty would benefit from policy and practice interventions that support geographical proximity of family and friends, that foster close and supportive wider family relationships, and that promote access to credit that does not lead to unmanageable debt and detrimental levels of additional financial stress. The research notes that while the SLA has been a useful theoretical framework, effectively quantified, the GUS data are limited in how effectively it can construct the SLA as it is not dedicated to its measurement.

This study investigated trainee teachers’ delivery of a targeted programme entitled ‘Special Me Time’ (SMT) whilst on teaching placements in Foundation Phase settings in South Wales, over a training year. As reflective practice formed an integral part of the research, the study also aimed to discover whether students reflected effectively on their practice by employing specific reflective practice skills. The teaching experiences of two BA Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Year 3 students and six PGCE ITT students were scrutinised, primarily through examination of student reflective diaries and lesson evaluations. In addition, the study explored the rationale for the further development of good practice in pedagogy related to Personal and Social Development, Well -Being and Emotional Literacy (PSD/WB/EL) and reflective practice in the School of Education of a large university. The analysis of results revealed two common themes: Theme one related to the development of students’ pedagogical practice and to the teaching and facilitation of PSD/WB/EL during ‘Special Me Time’ (SMT). Theme two related to students’ use of reflective practice to assess and reflect upon teaching performance and competencies relating to PSD/WB/EL as part of the SMT programme. Findings from research showed that students gained in knowledge relating to PSD/WB/EL from undertaking the ‘Special Me Time’ programme. However, students found it difficult to effectively quantify the differences that the programme made. Students were aware however, that they were spending what they termed ‘quality time’ with the children. Students appreciated the concept of reflective practice, but often did not reflect upon or credit themselves with pedagogical achievements as a result of this process. Although student reflection was evident, students did not use reflection as a fundamental part of their practice. They often viewed reflection as superfluous and either did not wholly engage in the concept or undertook it but did not document the process fully, often engaging in what I termed ‘shallow reflection’. The study concludes by recommending that further research should be conducted in this area. Further evaluation of the benefits of equipping all ITT primary students regardless of age specialism chosen, with skills and knowledge in relation to teaching/facilitating PSD/WB/EL would be pertinent. The importance of ITT students developing skills and knowledge in order to integrate reflective practice into their professional practice is particularly significant. Findings from this research will inform future delivery of ITT primary programmes.

An area of Shetland is examined in order to identify how Iron Age settlements might have related to each other. The study area contains two brochs. An inter-disciplinary approach is used to identify evidence for other Iron Age settlements and the information is presented as a model illustrating the pattern of settlement at different points during the Iron Age. A distinction is drawn between locations containing field archaeology and locations where occupation is predicted on the basis of evidence such as soil quality or place name. The whole model is then examined in order to identify patterns which may suggest changing relationships between settlements and groups of settlements, and the trends and influences behind these. Next an appraisal is made of the settlements' relative status and authority during Shetland's Early, Middle and Late Iron Age. By looking at the whole landscape through time - before, during and after the Iron Age - the brochs are set in a wider chronological context which takes into account the changing role that these highly visible monuments may have played as socio-economic focal points in a developing landscape. The outcome reveals complexity. Initially the brochs appear to be a focus of settlement patterns but by the end of the Late Iron Age they are rivalled by a non-broch area which shows signs of heightened Pictish influence. Elsewhere in Shetland at this period there is retrenchment to broch-settlements, raising the question of how far developments in the study area are unique to that location.

世界經濟區域化是近年來國際經濟關係演變的一大趨勢，它將改變國際貿易的格局與 條件，並對發展中國家勞動密集型加工出口工業部門與農業生產部門產生嚴重影響。 在研究兩岸經濟、社會現勢後，筆者認為，兩岸可以建立產業垂直分工的經濟體系： 大陸發展勞動密集型加工出口工業，並漸次向技術密集與資本密集型產業過度；而台 灣則加速產業升級，大力發展資本、技術密集型產業與服務業。筆者所持理由是： （一）由於中共是一個有一定工業基礎的農業國，工業現代化、農業現代化、與社會 現代化必須同時並舉，加上人口眾多，因此中共必須大力發展勞力密集型加工出口產 業，以吸納九十年代約兩億的農村剩餘勞動力，拉近原本存在的工業（城市）與農業 （鄉村）發展差距。（二）由於台灣自六十年代以來「一切為出口」的經濟發展政策 所導致的諸如勞工權益、農民權益與環境保護等問題在1980年代以後大量產生，已不 具備發展勞動密集型加工出口產業的各項優勢，因此可將部份勞動密集型產業移至大 陸；同時，政府必須合理的調整社會各階層間的利益關係，建立合理的階層互動模式 ，為產業升級塑造一個良好的社會環境。 筆者認為，兩岸經濟合則互利，分則兩傷，實應拋棄政治與意識形態的包袱，在兼顧 社會發展的前提下，開展兩岸的經濟合作。