Return to search

Skills and technological innovation for global competitiveness : a case study of Portnet's Durban Harbour (PDH)

There has been a global move towards involving people in process of change by developing
organizations technologically, providing skills training and building capacity in all sectors of
society, in spheres of government, the economy and civil society. As a result of global trends
in South Africa attention is being given to the question of skills development and
technological training within institutions and organizations operating in the developing
environment in the public and private sector. Attention is also given to ensuring that such
skills development and training includes goals of social, economic and political development.
In the view of the above, this study will examine the question of skills development and
technological training at Portnet Durban Harbour (PDH) in view of changing demands
imposed by globalisation and new socio - political environment in South Africa as well as
national responses to those demands. In examining this question, it would be recognised that
the skill question couldn't be isolated from technological changes and increased economic
competition resulting from globalization. Within this context, this study's aim would be to
detennine the response of PDH to global challenges that impact heavily on the skills needs of
this organization and technological changes. It will also examine whether PDH's responses
take into account the current legislative and policy objectives in SA aimed at addressing the
skill question.
This study is infonned by Labour market theory and globalization theories. The first part of
this study will attempt to capture the historical policies and legislation's on the issue of skills
development in SA. Reflecting on the role played by this policies and legislation's to segment
the labour market. Secondly, the study will look at debates on globalisation and the era in
which organizations are operating. Thirdly, the role played by the SA government in this
global era to reverse the past skills development imbalances. Lastly, the study will report on
PDH's response to challenges imposed by globalization and how they address the question of
skill. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/5804
Date January 2001
CreatorsMzaca, Happy T. T.
ContributorsMapadimeng, Mokong Simon.
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis

Page generated in 0.0022 seconds