Even a well planned marketing strategy may fail if a country or region goes through a rapid business decline. As consumers' income drops, they must shift their spending patterns. They may have to simply do without some products. By carefully studying the environment, marketers can adapt their strategies to meet market place challenges and opportunities. This generally means adapting the marketing mix and/or changing the target markets. However, the response of marketing managers to recession depends on how they perceive its meaning and impact on their businesses. The purpose of the study was identified to be the determination of managements' perception of and response to economic recession by measuring (1) the meaning of the economic recession to marketing managers; (2) the impact of this recession on marketing decisions; and (3) the resultant adjustments in marketing strategy and action. Primary and secondary data was gathered through literature review and empirical research, respectfully. Data collection consisted of a structured questionnaire to serve as guideline for the follow-up interviews. A total of ten marketing managers participated in the qualitative interviews. These managers were selected by means of a non-probability sample. The recent recession has seen South Africa's real GDP growth slowing to 3% with unemployment rate increasing slightly to 23.6%, manufacturing production falling by contraction of 17.2% whilst the year-on-year CPI inflation rate was 8.1% in January 2009. These foregoing show how severe the recession has been. All interviewed respondents reported price competition to have been fierce during the recent economic recession. In their quest to minimise the effects of the economic downturn, companies adjusted their sales volumes and improvised their marketing spent by using more of company websites and e-mail marketing to keep customer informed of the product or service offerings available. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Implementing demand side management (DSM) is expensive and often time consuming. Eskom grants subsidies for DSM projects based on the proposed savings. The subsidy granted is not always adequate to fund all the required control equipment to achieve the desired saving. This study focuses on alternative cost– and time–effective methods to implement DSM on gold mines, specifically on the compressed–air systems where the infrastructure is inadequate, worn out or outdated. The compressors generating compressed air for mining are one of the largest electricity consumer at gold mines. By optimising the energy consumption of these compressed–air systems, the largest potential demand reduction can be achieved. This will lighten the demand load on the already overloaded national power grid. Compressed air at gold mines is mainly used for production purposes, thus the majority of savings on these systems need to be achieved during non–production hours. Fixing air leaks, optimising compressor control, meticulous planning of implementation locations and controlling air usage are all methods that were investigated to achieve alternative cost– and time–effective methods to implement DSM on mine compressed–air systems. The methods were implemented by an Energy Services Company (ESCo) at four different mines. The results achieved from these case studies are documented and discussed in this study. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The high dropout rate of first year students is a major source of concern for the Department of Higher Education and Training and for Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s). Research indicated that students’ Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) skills and strategies play a significant role in achieving academic success at universities. Thus, the main aim of this study was to develop strategies for the development of SRL skills of first year university students. In order to achieve the research aim and objectives an extensive literature review was conducted on SRL and the relationship between SRL skills and the academic achievement of students at HEI’s. For the purposes of the empirical investigation, a mixed-method approach was followed. In the quantitative part of the investigation, the results of the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI), which was administered to the 2007 cohort of first year students (n=2421) at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University, were analysed to determine whether the subscales in the LASSI significantly predicted academic success and to identify variables that related to the first year students’ learning and study skills and academic achievement. In the qualitative part of the research, interviews were conducted during 2010, with a selected group of participants from the 2007 cohort of first year students who were then in their fourth year of study. The questions in the interviews were based on questions in the Self-Regulated Learning Inventory Schedule (SRLIS), and the aims were to explore the participants’ experiences with their studies and to determine which SRL skills, in addition to the skills assessed by the LASSI, influenced their studies and academic achievement. The quantitative analysis of the LASSI results revealed that: • Motivation, Time management and Information processing were the best LASSI predictors of the first year students’ academic success. • The independent biographical variables Grade 12 marks, age and gender correlated better with the first year students’ academic achievement than the LASSI subscales did. The qualitative investigation revealed that: • Successful students realised at the onset of their studies that they had to adapt their study methods to meet the challenges that studying at a university requires. • Successful students could differentiate between the different types of study material and could adapt their study methods accordingly. They could also adapt their study methods when the volume of the study material differed. • Successful students applied a repertoire of study methods in a flexible manner, and managed their time well. • Successful students conveyed knowledge of themselves as students, as well as of the different requirements that study at a university implicates. • Most of the successful students received information from parents, lecturers or principals about different study methods and could describe their learning styles and preferences clearly. • Some of the successful students could accurately infer which questions could be expected in the exam papers, and knew how and why these questions were asked. • Successful students set realistic academic goals for themselves. • Unsuccessful students did not consider their own study preferences or the academic requirements of the university. • Unsuccessful students did not manage their time well and were not motivated. On the basis of the findings, strategies were proposed for the development of SRL skills of first year students at universities. The strategies are presented as a compulsory programme that first year students have to complete in the first semester. / Thesis (PhD (Teaching and Learning))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

The government of South Africa in the White Paper on Tourism recognises the importance of attracting foreign investment in order to achieve the growth and development objectives of the tourism sector. Foreign investment will increase competition and improve standards as well as create employment and facilitate economic growth. The government should establish a climate of political stability, economic growth and profitability, and provide transparent, stable and consistent policies to attract foreign investment. Crime in South Africa is high and widely believed to restrain investment. The South African White Paper on Tourism has categorically and succinctly stipulated policy guidelines to ensure that tourists are maximally safe and secure. The traditional response to rising crime has been to devote more resources to law enforcement and to introduce tougher penalties in the hope of deterring offenders from committing further crimes. For the purpose of the study, the hypothesis was formulated that the safety and security policy for sustainable development does not necessarily provide a solution to crime and further proactive measures need to be implemented to promote tourism in Sedibeng District Municipality. This study will focus on; strategies for preventing crime in the Sedibeng District Municipality. It is recognised that such policies may need to go beyond the traditional concerns of the criminal justice system (i.e. police, the courts and prisons) if crime prevention is to be addressed in a comprehensive way. Combating crime has been tackled in various ways throughout the world, with some strategies being more successful than others. With the process of formulating a National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) high on South Africa's agenda, the wealth of international experience in crime prevention cannot be ignored. Research, monitoring and objective evaluation of crime policies and programmes, aimed at ensuring that limited financial resources are used most effectively, is a significant contribution which criminologists can make to the policy-making process. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

The objectives of this research were investigate the lived experiences of school-going learners who are HIV-positive; and develop ecosystemic management strategies to help learners who are HIV-positive. The literature research investigation revealed that HIV/AIDS is not just a health problem but also attacks the education system itself. Demand for education is dropping and changing, many educators are ill and dying, and the trauma of loss associated with HIV/AIDS is entrenched in South African classrooms. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has a traumatic impact on all educators and learners. The work of educators both those who are HIV positive and those who have developed full-blown AIDS will be compromised by periods of illness. The pandemic thrives on sexual violence, male domination and child abuse in South Africa. It is the ecosystemic paradigm that helps in seeing the connecting link between family-school-community-society-world or school and peers and this helps in providing a more useful synergistic focus than trying to work in isolation with discrete segments of a microsystem for example, with an individual in isolation. Management strategies for dealing with HIV/AIDS include the notion that achieving sustainability requires bringing together a variety of legitimate stakeholders, drawing on a variety of accepted bodies of knowledge, to negotiate a learning path based on a series of conflict resolutions within ecological constraints. Continual learning based on free flow of information and mutual respect, and investment in effective management of HIV/AIDS are keys to success. The empirical research investigation revealed that psychologically disturbed, emotional well-being, spiritual well-being, physical well-being, social life, their scholastic performance, daily routine, there is a change in their behaviour or health after the HIV- positive status has been revealed, they fear of death, their academic performance at school is affected by absenteeism and lack of concentration, there is absence of strategies to assist learners who are absent frequently because of illness, they loose valued level of functioning, lack assistance at school, fear being discriminated or ridiculed, there is absence v of measures to deal with discrimination at school, there is a lack of information on HIV/AIDS, learners fear disclosing to friends and teachers, there is a lack of communication between parents and infected learners about issues regarding HIV/AIDS. Educators are also affected emotionally, spiritually and physically. They become affected socially and they do not cope with the impact of HIV. The level of communicating the HIV/AIDS pandemic within the schools is low, the principals are not doing much as leaders to supplement this low level of communicating about HIV/AIDS, school policies on HIV/AIDS in these schools do not address issues of support for learners and educators who are incapacitated because of HIV/AIDS, there is no monitoring tool used in these schools to ensure HIV-policy adherence, principals in these schools do not ensure that educators teach learners about matters pertaining to HIV/AIDS, health programmes in these schools do not assist learners living with HIV/AIDS within the school and the level of accepting and accommodating infected learners and the personnel in these schools is low. The level of involvement of community members in matters pertaining to HIV/AIDS in these schools is low. An ecosysternic management system is proposed in this research vi / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.

This is an in-depth comparative study of the strategies used to counteract bullying at schools. It provides an international perspective on such strategies: Studies in South African schools are used to provide an African perspective: Australian research is used to provide an Oceanian perspective: Japanese research to provide an Asian perspective; and research conducted in England is used to provide an European perspective on bullying at schools. The extent and nature of bullying in schools was discussed in great detail, as well as the characteristics of bullies and their victims. The causes of bullying, as well as the effects of bullying on learners in the school situation are reviewed. The concept of cyberbullying was expanded upon. The role of the governments, the schools and independent organizations in combating bullying was investigated. To conclude the study, the laws concerning bullying at schools in the four countries are scrutinized and recommendations are made, based on the conclusion that bullying at school can indeed be counteracted successfully. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.

The government of South Africa in the White Paper on Tourism recognises the importance of attracting foreign investment in order to achieve the growth and development objectives of the tourism sector. Foreign investment will increase competition and improve standards as well as create employment and facilitate economic growth. The government should establish a climate of political stability, economic growth and profitability, and provide transparent, stable and consistent policies to attract foreign investment. Crime in South Africa is high and widely believed to restrain investment. The South African White Paper on Tourism has categorically and succinctly stipulated policy guidelines to ensure that tourists are maximally safe and secure. The traditional response to rising crime has been to devote more resources to law enforcement and to introduce tougher penalties in the hope of deterring offenders from committing further crimes. For the purpose of the study, the hypothesis was formulated that the safety and security policy for sustainable development does not necessarily provide a solution to crime and further proactive measures need to be implemented to promote tourism in Sedibeng District Municipality. This study will focus on; strategies for preventing crime in the Sedibeng District Municipality. It is recognised that such policies may need to go beyond the traditional concerns of the criminal justice system (i.e. police, the courts and prisons) if crime prevention is to be addressed in a comprehensive way. Combating crime has been tackled in various ways throughout the world, with some strategies being more successful than others. With the process of formulating a National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) high on South Africa's agenda, the wealth of international experience in crime prevention cannot be ignored. Research, monitoring and objective evaluation of crime policies and programmes, aimed at ensuring that limited financial resources are used most effectively, is a significant contribution which criminologists can make to the policy-making process. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

The research conducted in this thesis is centered on the ESOL Hispanic student population, in the art classroom in Georgia. The information contained in this paper is meant to serve as a guide and resource for art educators with high populations of ESOL students in their classrooms. A review of current ESOL best practices in several content areas is included. Based on the research, guidelines and suggestions for accommodating these learners in the art room were developed, as well as a sample unit that includes three lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations and assessment rubrics.

The advancement in technology in the twenty first century has introduced new and exciting ways for artists to self-promote their artwork while traditional methods remain viable. To be competitive in the art market an artist must understand and implement a variety of marketing strategies. Effective marketing is particularly critical for an art teacher who is also a practicing artist in order to sell their artwork. Through a comparative analysis of readily available marketing tools for artwork, I explore in this study a variety of ways that an artist can establish a successful career in art through the use of technology, and create a roadmap that can be used to shorten their route.

Aim: The aim of this study was to implement a psychological skills training program for dancers and evaluate the dancers’ use of psychological skills training techniques, and possible effects of the course. Specifically, the present study examined: 1) to what extent the dancers were using psychological skills training techniques; 2) whether a short course in psychological skills training for dancers made any difference to their use of psychological skills training techniques; 3) whether differences existed between groups of dancers regarding year at the dance academy, previous education in psychological skills training, and attendance; 4) the dancers’ response to psychological skills training during the course. Method: 51 dancers (45 female and six male aged 18-26 years) at a dance academy in Sweden participated in the study. The course in psychological skills training stretched over four months with four to six lessons. A shortened version of the Test of Performance Strategies was completed by the dancers at the first and last lesson. Descriptive statistics, one-way between-groups analysis of variance (ANOVA), and paired-samples t-tests were used to analyze the data. Memoing was practised to document the dancers’ direct response to the course. Results: The dancers used self-talk, emotional control, goal setting, imagery, activation, and attentional control “sometimes” in connection with their dance practice, whereas relaxation was used “rarely”. The total score for the dancers’ use of psychological skills training techniques only showed a marginal increase between pre- and post-intervention data. The only statistically significant difference found was an increase in the scores for relaxation. No statistically significant difference was found between groups regarding total score. The results from the memoing indicated that active participation during the lessons resulted in a more positive attitude towards psychological skills training, and that the dancers used different vocabulary regarding psychological skills training. The dancers also expressed difficulties implementing psychological skills training techniques on their own outside the classroom. Conclusions: The dancers in the present study had very similar scores on the questionnaire compared to athletes in previous research. For future research it would be of interest to see if a longer psychological skills training program for dancers, or a course with higher intensity, could further facilitate the dancers’ use of psychological skills training techniques, as well as integrate psychological skills training more in their dance practice. The results from this study could provide valuable information for further development of a psychological skills training program for dancers and might serve as a guide for areas that could benefit from extra attention in order to help dancers evolve both professionally and personally.