No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A)-University of Durban-Westville, 2004.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

The South African government has indicated that the National Small Business Act of 1996 had failed to get the small business sector working successfully as engine for growth. Thus, government policy measures, using an institutional network alone, to create a thriving SME economy, has not succeeded. The Minister called for small business and other institutions to develop suggestions for inclusion in a new business strategy document. One such strategy, as proposed by this thesis, involves the introduction and implementation of the Venture Capital Schemes (VCS) Framework. The purpose of the dissertation is to conduct an exploratory study of the VCS framework and to determine if the VCS framework is worthwhile pursuing in South Africa, following its successful introduction in the United Kingdom. To achieve effective implementation of the VCT framework, specific issues to the various components and key players require addressing: • Are there potential high-growth SMEs that are being overlooked? • Is there a definite 'equity gap' to satisfy the needs of potential SMEs that is not being serviced? • Are there sufficient investors who can be attracted to fund this 'equity gap'? • Are there sufficient rewards for the private sector financial institutions (venture capitalists and associated network) to be willing to manage and drive the VCT framework? To obtain the required information, a discussion / interview was conducted with Business Partners Limited - East Fund (a leading South African venture capitalist who is involved in both 'pure' venture capital funding as well as having integral ties with SMEs). The Venture Capital Schemes Framework, in theory, appears to be a viable option. However, the response indicates that the larger venture capital / private equity firms will not be willing to drive the VCS framework, since it requires an adjustment to their investment philosophy. The response has also indicated that a RFI with a iv reasonable network of resources, operating as a private company, will be in the best position to drive the VCS framework. It will also be able to attract competition from the smaller venture capital/private equity firms, accounting firms and business advisors, to create a vibrant VCT market (industry). Hence, a thriving SME economy could become a reality. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

No abstract available. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between job satisfaction and organisational commitment. A sample of 73 employees from the South African Police Services - Stanger was utilised. Data was collected using questionnaires and unstructured interviews. The job satisfaction questionnaire designed by Weiss, Dawis, Lofquist and England (1977) was used to measure the different dimensions of job satisfaction whilst the organisational commitment questionnaire developed by Allen and Meyer (1990) was used to measure the different dimensions of organisational commitment. The results indicated variations in the subject's levels of job satisfaction, whereas moderate levels of affective, normative and continuous commitment was found. The correlation analysis showed no significant relationship among the dimensions of organisational commitment (Affective, Normative and Continuance). In terms of job satisfaction, significant relationships occurred among pay, working conditions, supervision, opportunities for advancement and recognition but there was no significant relationship among pay and equitable rewards. No significant relationship occurred between the dimensions of job satisfaction and affective and continuance commitment but there was a significant relationship between job satisfaction dimensions and normative commitment. There was no significant difference in the organisational commitment dimensions and job satisfaction dimensions among gender. No significant difference was found between affective and continuance commitment among the other biographical variables. However, there was a significant difference in the level of normative commitment among the age group, home language group and ethnic group. A significant difference was found between the job satisfaction dimensions and the other biographical variables. According to the results of the multiple regression, opportunities for advancement was the best predictor of affective commitment, working conditions, supervision, relation with co-workers and equitable rewards were the best predictors of normative commitment and relation with co-workers was the best predictor of continuance commitment. / Thesis (M.Admin)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2004.

This study was an evaluation of the approach to change that is used in the public sector. The approach that is chosen ultimately has a bearing on the management of change in an organisation. The study used a case study method to explore the key question of the approach using the six dimensions of change. The South African Revenue Services (SARS) served as a case study typical of a model public sector organisation. The focus was on the KZN region of SARS where there has been an implementation of a change initiative called SlYAKHA (meaning we are building) recently. The whole process from the birth of this initiative was looked at using the six dimensions to evaluate and answer the question of the approach that was used in managing this change. The six dimensions can be classified into the two main theories referred to as Theory E and Theory O. It became evident during the study that there was not enough literature on change management in the public sector particularly in the South African context. What further complicated the issue was that the models as applied in the private sector couldn't be imported and applied in a public sector organisation. The approach that was used in the management of Siyakha at SARS was of a Theory E nature, although not all the dimensions of that theory were applied. In the main the finding was that Theory E approach was used. It also came to light that in the public sector, this might be the logical step to take particularly as the first step to ensure that change does happen. This is because of the unique circumstances that face public sector organisations particularly in South Africa. At the end a suggestion is made that there should be a sequencing of the approaches where Theory E is applied first followed by Theory O. The researcher also suggests a different combination of dimensions in the sequencing exercise that will ensure that the public sector's unique circumstances are taken into account / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

Although well documented in terms of historical significance, very little is known about South African slaves’ experience of slavery. Except for a few accounts by slaves such as Emilie Lehn and Katie Jacobs, South African slave narratives (unlike their American counterparts) never received much attention. This can be ascribed to, among other things, the prominence of apartheid on the South African social scene and the shame associated with a slave past or being of slave ancestry. As a result of the lack of information regarding the experience of these slaves, fictional narratives such as The Slave Book by Rayda Jacobs and Philida by André Brink have succeeded in filling this gap by making use of historical documents, such as court documents and slave registers, to create stories of slaves. Yvette Christiansë’s Unconfessed makes a notable contribution to South African literature, both in terms of subject matter and narrative technique. This novel directs the reader’s attention to a part of South African history that has been neglected in literature and society. It addresses oppression, racism, hypocrisy and sexual abuse, to name but a few,. It challenges the traditional concept of genre by combining different elements of the traditional autobiography, with the confessional and testimonial modes of literature. The combination of these modes creates a striking and vivid narrative, which relates Sila’s experiences from her own perspective. Furthermore, this fragmented narrative, allows the reader a glimpse into Sila’s mind and thoughts regarding her past, present and future. / Thesis (MA (English))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

“The family is the building block of society. It is a nursery, a school, a hospital, a leisure centre, a place of refuge and rest. It encompasses the whole of society. It fashions our beliefs; it is the preparation for the rest of our life,” Margaret Thatcher (1988). We are all well aware of the important role of family in people’s lives, we know it can affect you, empower you, or break you. Many studies and research has sought to define the role and influence of family in every which way, but truthfully, we can never know enough and we will never know everything. As human beings, we constantly strive for more – more knowledge, more understanding, and more insight. But the family, in essence, is a mystery; a far too complex and unique system that cannot be broken down into simple numbers or words. It is this that inspired me to do this study – although we can never know everything, we can always know more. This study therefore aimed to investigate the psychosocial well-being of a group of families and from the findings obtained, develop a conceptual framework and a model for psychosocial well-being of families from diverse cultures in a South African context. The research method consisted of two stages namely, stage one: a multi-method approach using quantitative and qualitative research for theory generation, and stage two: formulation of a conceptual framework and visual model. The first phase consisted of a quantitative research design with a sample size of 772 participants. The aim of the first phase was to determine the prevalence of psychosocial well-being in families and to identify families who report high, moderate and low levels of psychosocial well-being, using validated psychological instruments. The second aim of the quantitative phase was to propose a measurement model to assess family psychosocial well-being in a South African context. The second phase consisted of a qualitative, explorative research design used to understand and describe aspects that contribute to the psychosocial well-being of families from diverse cultures in a South African context, by analysing the storied (narrative) experiences (N = 23), drawings (N = 14) and family interviews (N = 36) of identified families who reported psychosocial well-being or less thereof, in the first phase of the study (Creswell, 2003). These findings were then utilized to develop a conceptual framework followed and a model for the psychosocial well-being of families in a South African context. The findings from the first, quantitative phase show a rather small group of participants who report high levels of family psychosocial well-being, while the majority falls within the low and moderate ranges, and approximately 64% of the participants are not experiencing optimal psychosocial well-being. The results support a two-factor model of family psychosocial well-being consisting of family functioning and family feelings. Family functioning included family relational patterns, family functioning style and family hardiness while the second factor, family feelings, included family satisfaction and attachment. The findings from the qualitative phase suggest that communication, mutual support, togetherness as a family and spirituality are the most prominent contributing factors, whilst financial difficulties and interpersonal conflicts or arguments are the most prominent hindering factors with regard to family psychosocial well-being in this group of participants. These findings were utilized to develop a conceptual framework and a model for the psychosocial well-being of families from diverse cultures in a South African context that can be used in future research and in the development of programmes to enhance the psychosocial well-being of South African families. / PhD, Psychology, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012

Although well documented in terms of historical significance, very little is known about South African slaves’ experience of slavery. Except for a few accounts by slaves such as Emilie Lehn and Katie Jacobs, South African slave narratives (unlike their American counterparts) never received much attention. This can be ascribed to, among other things, the prominence of apartheid on the South African social scene and the shame associated with a slave past or being of slave ancestry. As a result of the lack of information regarding the experience of these slaves, fictional narratives such as The Slave Book by Rayda Jacobs and Philida by André Brink have succeeded in filling this gap by making use of historical documents, such as court documents and slave registers, to create stories of slaves. Yvette Christiansë’s Unconfessed makes a notable contribution to South African literature, both in terms of subject matter and narrative technique. This novel directs the reader’s attention to a part of South African history that has been neglected in literature and society. It addresses oppression, racism, hypocrisy and sexual abuse, to name but a few,. It challenges the traditional concept of genre by combining different elements of the traditional autobiography, with the confessional and testimonial modes of literature. The combination of these modes creates a striking and vivid narrative, which relates Sila’s experiences from her own perspective. Furthermore, this fragmented narrative, allows the reader a glimpse into Sila’s mind and thoughts regarding her past, present and future. / Thesis (MA (English))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013