"Type change" : the perceived structure of organizational change events
- Authors: Van Tonder, Chris
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Organizational change , Sustainable development , Organizational sustainability
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6230 , ISBN 1-932917-05-5 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5320
- Description: Sustainable development and global prosperity hinge substantially on healthy, progressive organizations. The liability of change, which manifests in the dismal success rates of large scale organizational change initiatives, however threatens the advancement of this agenda. While the reasons for this are complex, a starting point for reversing this trend is a greater understanding of the phenomenon of organizational change, which is reified and enacted at the level of the individual employee. The current study empirically explored the under researched area of 'types of change', which influences employee perceptions and responses and which ultimately holds the key to organizational adaptation. Several structural dimensions were extracted from the 663 respondents' perceptions of change events, which suggest a more considered but also a potentially more effective approach to dealing with organizational change.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Van Tonder, Chris
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Organizational change , Sustainable development , Organizational sustainability
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6230 , ISBN 1-932917-05-5 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5320
- Description: Sustainable development and global prosperity hinge substantially on healthy, progressive organizations. The liability of change, which manifests in the dismal success rates of large scale organizational change initiatives, however threatens the advancement of this agenda. While the reasons for this are complex, a starting point for reversing this trend is a greater understanding of the phenomenon of organizational change, which is reified and enacted at the level of the individual employee. The current study empirically explored the under researched area of 'types of change', which influences employee perceptions and responses and which ultimately holds the key to organizational adaptation. Several structural dimensions were extracted from the 663 respondents' perceptions of change events, which suggest a more considered but also a potentially more effective approach to dealing with organizational change.
- Full Text:
A strategic business approach for sustainable e-participation at local government level
- Authors: Mbili, Mlungisi Richard
- Date: 2015-04-24
- Subjects: Local government - Information services , Legislative bodies - Technological innovations , Legislation - Technological innovations , Sustainable development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13575 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13718
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Since the dawn of democracy, South Africa has experienced continued service delivery protests. The extent to which these protests manifest themselves could be indicative of the communication gap that exists between local councillors and communities. In response, communities might use protests to serve as a medium of communication to highlight their unhappiness with service delivery. The e-participation programme is an intervention introduced by the German International Cooperation to explore the potential and assist municipalities with the implementation of a short message system-based, two-way channel for citizen-municipality communication. This study examined the level of readiness of municipalities with regard to the implementation and the sustainability of the e-participation programme. It used a mixed method approach to investigate a sample of municipalities. Findings and recommendations to government on considerations for implementation of the programme is discussed. The study concludes by highlighting earned benefits that can be enjoyed by all South African municipalities by employing the core pillars of various models used in other countries in implementing e-participation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mbili, Mlungisi Richard
- Date: 2015-04-24
- Subjects: Local government - Information services , Legislative bodies - Technological innovations , Legislation - Technological innovations , Sustainable development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13575 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13718
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , Since the dawn of democracy, South Africa has experienced continued service delivery protests. The extent to which these protests manifest themselves could be indicative of the communication gap that exists between local councillors and communities. In response, communities might use protests to serve as a medium of communication to highlight their unhappiness with service delivery. The e-participation programme is an intervention introduced by the German International Cooperation to explore the potential and assist municipalities with the implementation of a short message system-based, two-way channel for citizen-municipality communication. This study examined the level of readiness of municipalities with regard to the implementation and the sustainability of the e-participation programme. It used a mixed method approach to investigate a sample of municipalities. Findings and recommendations to government on considerations for implementation of the programme is discussed. The study concludes by highlighting earned benefits that can be enjoyed by all South African municipalities by employing the core pillars of various models used in other countries in implementing e-participation.
- Full Text:
An exploratory study on factors associated with participation in income generating community projects
- Authors: Sithole, Thomson
- Date: 2013-04-10
- Subjects: Community development , Social participation , Sustainable development , Community organization , Fund raising , New business enterprises - Planning
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7432 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8290
- Description: M.A. (Social Sciences) , The engagement of local people in development projects has become a common phenomenon that development theorists and practitioners have emphasised for the past few decades. The debate was sparked by the realisation of the failure of the top-down approach to development which had serious consequences in project sustainability. Therefore, the bottom-up approach of community participation in development projects has been viewed as a panacea for sustainable projects at the grass roots level. The study is based on the understanding that community participation is central in community development, in order to ensure sustainability. It has been observed and acknowledged from the empirical evidence that, despite the acceptance of participation as workable alternative and useful approach to community development, there are many collapsed projects and blame has been shifted to lack of funding and other factors such as economic meltdown as the major setbacks. Today, concerns are raised on the ineffectiveness of community participation, which may lead to project failures. In many instances, local people have become recipients of pre-designed projects by outsiders and often the objects of administrative manipulation. This implies that development agents were determined to impose their own thinking and understanding of community participation on the community. As a result, development projects that local people were expected to take over in the implementation phase collapsed and such communities did not take responsibility for their failures. The question to be answered is whether community participation is the hallmark of project sustainability or just one of the processes that is necessary in development articulation. It is against this background that the study explored factors associated with participation in income generating community projects in Botlokwa community in Molemole Local Municipality, Limpopo province. The qualitative method was employed in this study.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sithole, Thomson
- Date: 2013-04-10
- Subjects: Community development , Social participation , Sustainable development , Community organization , Fund raising , New business enterprises - Planning
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7432 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8290
- Description: M.A. (Social Sciences) , The engagement of local people in development projects has become a common phenomenon that development theorists and practitioners have emphasised for the past few decades. The debate was sparked by the realisation of the failure of the top-down approach to development which had serious consequences in project sustainability. Therefore, the bottom-up approach of community participation in development projects has been viewed as a panacea for sustainable projects at the grass roots level. The study is based on the understanding that community participation is central in community development, in order to ensure sustainability. It has been observed and acknowledged from the empirical evidence that, despite the acceptance of participation as workable alternative and useful approach to community development, there are many collapsed projects and blame has been shifted to lack of funding and other factors such as economic meltdown as the major setbacks. Today, concerns are raised on the ineffectiveness of community participation, which may lead to project failures. In many instances, local people have become recipients of pre-designed projects by outsiders and often the objects of administrative manipulation. This implies that development agents were determined to impose their own thinking and understanding of community participation on the community. As a result, development projects that local people were expected to take over in the implementation phase collapsed and such communities did not take responsibility for their failures. The question to be answered is whether community participation is the hallmark of project sustainability or just one of the processes that is necessary in development articulation. It is against this background that the study explored factors associated with participation in income generating community projects in Botlokwa community in Molemole Local Municipality, Limpopo province. The qualitative method was employed in this study.
- Full Text:
Assessing the quality of basic assessment reports and the associated perspectives of environmental assessment practitioners in South Africa
- Authors: Wylie, Donna Kim
- Date: 2015-07-01
- Subjects: Environmental impact analysis - South Africa , Strategic planning - Environmental aspects - South Africa , Sustainable development , Environmental management - South Africa , Environmental policy - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/380893 , uj:13670 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13855
- Description: MSc. (Geography) , The South African National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998) [NEMA] provides the 2010 EIA Regulations that describe the minimum requirements for environmental impact assessment (EIA). EIA is used as a tool to aid decisionmaking when evaluating development proposals for activities that are likely to have negative environmental impacts. Government Notice GNR. 543 of the 2010 EIA Regulations provides all the information pertaining to EIA and the specific steps required to conduct a Basic Assessment (BA). The study primarily focuses on activities conducted within or near Protected Areas (PAs) that do not require a full scoping EIA, and is comprised of two parts. Firstly, using a modified version of the South African adapted Lee and Colley (1992) Review Package, this dissertation presents the findings of an evaluation of the quality of 13 Basic Assessment Reports (BARs). Secondly, the study ascertained and analysed the opinions of those involved in the EIA process, namely environmental assessment practitioners (EAPs), on whether EIA is performing as originally intended. A questionnaire targeted at discerning respondents’ views on this was sent to eight individuals, of whom seven responded. The findings show that 92% of the BARs performed satisfactorily in terms of overall quality (achieving grades A to C, C being considered just satisfactory). Only 54% of the assessed BARs achieved A-B grades, leaving a high proportion of borderline BARs, a disturbing figure given the importance of PAs in South Africa for encouraging tourism, generating foreign currency and protecting biodiversity. Fifty seven percent (57%) of respondents expressed the view that legal provision for the EIA process in South Africa is adequate, that the 2010 Regulations have improved the EIA process, and that the EIA guidelines for environmental practitioners are readily available and easy to use.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Wylie, Donna Kim
- Date: 2015-07-01
- Subjects: Environmental impact analysis - South Africa , Strategic planning - Environmental aspects - South Africa , Sustainable development , Environmental management - South Africa , Environmental policy - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/380893 , uj:13670 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13855
- Description: MSc. (Geography) , The South African National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998) [NEMA] provides the 2010 EIA Regulations that describe the minimum requirements for environmental impact assessment (EIA). EIA is used as a tool to aid decisionmaking when evaluating development proposals for activities that are likely to have negative environmental impacts. Government Notice GNR. 543 of the 2010 EIA Regulations provides all the information pertaining to EIA and the specific steps required to conduct a Basic Assessment (BA). The study primarily focuses on activities conducted within or near Protected Areas (PAs) that do not require a full scoping EIA, and is comprised of two parts. Firstly, using a modified version of the South African adapted Lee and Colley (1992) Review Package, this dissertation presents the findings of an evaluation of the quality of 13 Basic Assessment Reports (BARs). Secondly, the study ascertained and analysed the opinions of those involved in the EIA process, namely environmental assessment practitioners (EAPs), on whether EIA is performing as originally intended. A questionnaire targeted at discerning respondents’ views on this was sent to eight individuals, of whom seven responded. The findings show that 92% of the BARs performed satisfactorily in terms of overall quality (achieving grades A to C, C being considered just satisfactory). Only 54% of the assessed BARs achieved A-B grades, leaving a high proportion of borderline BARs, a disturbing figure given the importance of PAs in South Africa for encouraging tourism, generating foreign currency and protecting biodiversity. Fifty seven percent (57%) of respondents expressed the view that legal provision for the EIA process in South Africa is adequate, that the 2010 Regulations have improved the EIA process, and that the EIA guidelines for environmental practitioners are readily available and easy to use.
- Full Text:
Audit tools to assess, quantify, monitor and report on impacts on water resources at a catchment unit level
- Authors: Henman-Weir, Felicity
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water resources development , Water resources development - Law and legislation , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/285071 , uj:30813
- Description: M.Sc. (Aquatic Health) , Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop a suite of checklists that could be used to audit rural land-users within a catchment to determine their impacts on the water resources and in doing so, also audit their legal compliance. The need for this was in response to the ongoing deterioration of South Africa’s water resources. The legislation pertaining to water use and water protection and certain best practice guidelines were used as the base of these checklists. The key legislation was the National Water Act (36 of 1998), National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998), and the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (43 of 1983) and the regulations emerging from these Acts pertaining to water use and protection. Checklists were drawn up for the main land-uses: Agriculture, Commercial Plantation Forestry, Aquaculture and General Land-Use (e.g. recreation and tourism, rural settlements). A set of eight (8) checklists were collated to cover all of the impacts likely to occur in a catchment, namely: Vegetation removal and clearing; Pollution; Alien invasive plants; Alien fauna; Mining (small scale); Water abstraction; Storing water (reservoirs and weirs), and Watercourse crossings. These checklists were field tested by carrying out an audit of an aquaculture facility (Trova Trout) and commercial plantation forestry (Komatiland Forests) within the Upper Sabie River Catchment, above the town of Sabie. These two land uses scored 46% and 49 % respectively through the audit system, and numerous legal non-conformances were noted. Audit report templates were also generated in order to capture the audit results for comparison over time. Results for Trova Trout were presented in such a formal audit report. Abstraction of water from the Sabie River without metering, development within riparian zones and the impact of hundreds of watercourse crossings in the catchment emerged as some of the issues as a result of the audit. It was concluded that the tools developed were suitable for auditing land-users within a catchment, and served to expose the impacts on water resources. Some case studies were investigated and it is clear that water related offences are not yet fully acknowledged as serious crimes by South Africans. As a result, recommendations included the establishment of special Environmental Courts, building the capacity of the Environmental Management Inspectorate and implementing pro-active auditing programmes within catchments.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Henman-Weir, Felicity
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Water resources development , Water resources development - Law and legislation , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/285071 , uj:30813
- Description: M.Sc. (Aquatic Health) , Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop a suite of checklists that could be used to audit rural land-users within a catchment to determine their impacts on the water resources and in doing so, also audit their legal compliance. The need for this was in response to the ongoing deterioration of South Africa’s water resources. The legislation pertaining to water use and water protection and certain best practice guidelines were used as the base of these checklists. The key legislation was the National Water Act (36 of 1998), National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998), and the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (43 of 1983) and the regulations emerging from these Acts pertaining to water use and protection. Checklists were drawn up for the main land-uses: Agriculture, Commercial Plantation Forestry, Aquaculture and General Land-Use (e.g. recreation and tourism, rural settlements). A set of eight (8) checklists were collated to cover all of the impacts likely to occur in a catchment, namely: Vegetation removal and clearing; Pollution; Alien invasive plants; Alien fauna; Mining (small scale); Water abstraction; Storing water (reservoirs and weirs), and Watercourse crossings. These checklists were field tested by carrying out an audit of an aquaculture facility (Trova Trout) and commercial plantation forestry (Komatiland Forests) within the Upper Sabie River Catchment, above the town of Sabie. These two land uses scored 46% and 49 % respectively through the audit system, and numerous legal non-conformances were noted. Audit report templates were also generated in order to capture the audit results for comparison over time. Results for Trova Trout were presented in such a formal audit report. Abstraction of water from the Sabie River without metering, development within riparian zones and the impact of hundreds of watercourse crossings in the catchment emerged as some of the issues as a result of the audit. It was concluded that the tools developed were suitable for auditing land-users within a catchment, and served to expose the impacts on water resources. Some case studies were investigated and it is clear that water related offences are not yet fully acknowledged as serious crimes by South Africans. As a result, recommendations included the establishment of special Environmental Courts, building the capacity of the Environmental Management Inspectorate and implementing pro-active auditing programmes within catchments.
- Full Text:
Design of an anaerobic biodigestion system utilizing the organic fraction of municipal solid waste for biogas production in an urban environment
- Authors: Kigozi, Robert
- Date: 2015-06-25
- Subjects: Sewage - Purification - Anaerobic treatment , Refuse and refuse disposal - Biodegradation , Biomass energy , Sustainable development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13613 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13796
- Description: M.Tech. (Chemical Engineering) , The design process was carried out in two stages: feedstock analysis and system design. Under feedstock analysis, the study investigated the amount of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) generated at the study area which was situated at the University of Johannesburg’s Doornfontein Campus (UJ DFC) in downtown Johannesburg South Africa. Furthermore, the feedstock analyses involved characterisation studies on the target waste under which several laboratory tests were undertaken. The system design involved sizing of the suitable biogas digester to be used in the system applying mathematical models and feedstock parameters obtained from the feedstock analyses. Via the application of the Simple Multi-Attribute Rating (SMART) technique of multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) as a decision support tool, the most preferred option of biogas plant model was selected from a list of potential alternatives available on the market. And, in addition, a suitable site around the study area was selected by applying the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique of MCDA. Other system components and accessories such as the piping, scrubbers and valves were sized, selected, integrated into the system and finally layout drawings were produced using Inventor computer aided drafting (CAD) Software. Furthermore, feasibility assessments were conducted on the proposed system such as energy usage assessments and economic analyses using the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) techniques...
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kigozi, Robert
- Date: 2015-06-25
- Subjects: Sewage - Purification - Anaerobic treatment , Refuse and refuse disposal - Biodegradation , Biomass energy , Sustainable development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13613 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13796
- Description: M.Tech. (Chemical Engineering) , The design process was carried out in two stages: feedstock analysis and system design. Under feedstock analysis, the study investigated the amount of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) generated at the study area which was situated at the University of Johannesburg’s Doornfontein Campus (UJ DFC) in downtown Johannesburg South Africa. Furthermore, the feedstock analyses involved characterisation studies on the target waste under which several laboratory tests were undertaken. The system design involved sizing of the suitable biogas digester to be used in the system applying mathematical models and feedstock parameters obtained from the feedstock analyses. Via the application of the Simple Multi-Attribute Rating (SMART) technique of multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) as a decision support tool, the most preferred option of biogas plant model was selected from a list of potential alternatives available on the market. And, in addition, a suitable site around the study area was selected by applying the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique of MCDA. Other system components and accessories such as the piping, scrubbers and valves were sized, selected, integrated into the system and finally layout drawings were produced using Inventor computer aided drafting (CAD) Software. Furthermore, feasibility assessments were conducted on the proposed system such as energy usage assessments and economic analyses using the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) techniques...
- Full Text:
Determination of sustainability of aloe harvesting empowerment project in the Emnambithi (Former Ladysmith) municipality, Kwazulu Natal
- Authors: Ross, Donnette
- Date: 2009-02-05T07:14:31Z
- Subjects: Aloe harvesting , Sustainable development , Ladysmith (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8095 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2023
- Description: M.Sc. , Ladysmith is a town situated on the banks of the Klip River in the uThukela District of KwaZulu Natal, and falls into the Emnambithi-Ladysmith Local Municipality. The labour force of the Emnambithi-Ladysmith Local Municipality makes up 32.48 % of the population within the municipality, of which 16.49 % are employed, and 15.99 % are unemployed. A further 22.21 % of the total population in the municipality are not economically active, i.e. are students, homemakers, disabled, too ill to work, or are not seeking work. In an effort to address the poverty within KwaZulu Natal, the Department of Economic Development initiated a process which identified potential poverty-relieving initiatives and proposed to further investigate these development projects to establish which of the identified alternatives would be most feasible and beneficial to target communities. The areas where the poor communities are situated were identified based on the potential ability of the community to be able to support the required infrastructure investment and product development, which were in turn focussed on emerging economic growth points and development corridors (DEAT, 2001). One of the communities identified which could potentially benefit from one of the proposed development projects was that of the Emnambithi-Ladysmith Municipality, in KwaZulu Natal. Emnambithi-Ladysmith Local Municipality appointed a consultant to compile a Local Economic Regeneration Study for Ladysmith and the rural communities of the locality. The Study is aimed at analysing the local economy and thereby finding economic strategies that will make optimum use of local resources to create sustainable job opportunities and means of redressing economic challenges such as retrenchment and unemployment. A significant component of the Study is the identification of projects, which promote local ownership, local jobs and local reinvestment and illustrate the potential to revitalise the local economy of Emnambithi (Urban Econ, 2005). One of the alternative potentially sustainable poverty relief proposals put forward by the consultants, and other relevant parties, was that of harvesting the plant parts of the Aloes which appeared to be abundant within the Emnambithi-Ladysmith Municipality area. It was proposed that an Aloe pre-processing factory be established in a suitable location, which would provide employment opportunities for the local poor communities, who would either be directly employed by the pre-processing factory, or would be appropriately trained to harvest the required raw material from the natural Aloe populations. Similar operations have been initiatedin the Southern and Eastern Cape by formal sector businesses, which produce products made from Aloe ferox, which are then either sold locally or exported. The sustainability of the harvesting of these plants was determined based on the number of leaves which can be harvested per day by a tapper. It was possible to determine that the Aloe marlothii populations within the study area will not be able to support the harvesting of leaves, and as such, the harvesting thereof will not be sustainable. Several recommendations have been made which will further refine the results of this project. The main shortfall of this study was the limitation of the study area by political boundaries. It is thus recommended that a study be conducted which includes all Aloe marlothii habitat areas occurring in the rocky hillsides surrounding Ladysmith, regardless of Ward boundaries.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ross, Donnette
- Date: 2009-02-05T07:14:31Z
- Subjects: Aloe harvesting , Sustainable development , Ladysmith (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8095 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2023
- Description: M.Sc. , Ladysmith is a town situated on the banks of the Klip River in the uThukela District of KwaZulu Natal, and falls into the Emnambithi-Ladysmith Local Municipality. The labour force of the Emnambithi-Ladysmith Local Municipality makes up 32.48 % of the population within the municipality, of which 16.49 % are employed, and 15.99 % are unemployed. A further 22.21 % of the total population in the municipality are not economically active, i.e. are students, homemakers, disabled, too ill to work, or are not seeking work. In an effort to address the poverty within KwaZulu Natal, the Department of Economic Development initiated a process which identified potential poverty-relieving initiatives and proposed to further investigate these development projects to establish which of the identified alternatives would be most feasible and beneficial to target communities. The areas where the poor communities are situated were identified based on the potential ability of the community to be able to support the required infrastructure investment and product development, which were in turn focussed on emerging economic growth points and development corridors (DEAT, 2001). One of the communities identified which could potentially benefit from one of the proposed development projects was that of the Emnambithi-Ladysmith Municipality, in KwaZulu Natal. Emnambithi-Ladysmith Local Municipality appointed a consultant to compile a Local Economic Regeneration Study for Ladysmith and the rural communities of the locality. The Study is aimed at analysing the local economy and thereby finding economic strategies that will make optimum use of local resources to create sustainable job opportunities and means of redressing economic challenges such as retrenchment and unemployment. A significant component of the Study is the identification of projects, which promote local ownership, local jobs and local reinvestment and illustrate the potential to revitalise the local economy of Emnambithi (Urban Econ, 2005). One of the alternative potentially sustainable poverty relief proposals put forward by the consultants, and other relevant parties, was that of harvesting the plant parts of the Aloes which appeared to be abundant within the Emnambithi-Ladysmith Municipality area. It was proposed that an Aloe pre-processing factory be established in a suitable location, which would provide employment opportunities for the local poor communities, who would either be directly employed by the pre-processing factory, or would be appropriately trained to harvest the required raw material from the natural Aloe populations. Similar operations have been initiatedin the Southern and Eastern Cape by formal sector businesses, which produce products made from Aloe ferox, which are then either sold locally or exported. The sustainability of the harvesting of these plants was determined based on the number of leaves which can be harvested per day by a tapper. It was possible to determine that the Aloe marlothii populations within the study area will not be able to support the harvesting of leaves, and as such, the harvesting thereof will not be sustainable. Several recommendations have been made which will further refine the results of this project. The main shortfall of this study was the limitation of the study area by political boundaries. It is thus recommended that a study be conducted which includes all Aloe marlothii habitat areas occurring in the rocky hillsides surrounding Ladysmith, regardless of Ward boundaries.
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Developing entrepreneurial organisations for sustainable growth
- Authors: Du Plessis, Andre
- Date: 2011-12-06
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Economic development , Sustainable development
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:1812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4174
- Description: M.Comm. , The overall objective of this study was to find the influence of entrepreneurship on sustainable economic growth by defining entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial organisations as well as the inter relationships between entrepreneurship, development and growth. In today's competitive environment the influences on success through sustainable economic growth needs to be known. This will allow the understanding of failure as well as the reproduction of the success in other business. If the success can be reproduced this will be of benefit to the organisation, the community and at a macro level the country. There is an everincreasing amount of research to quantify the contribution entrepreneurship has to sustainable economic growth. Most research agrees entrepreneurship has a significant impact on economic growth. What is also of importance is that the economic growth is sustainable since there are areas such as the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises that may yield growth in the short term but can not sustain it. This can be argued as being more harmful to an economy than no growth at all. This strongly contrasts entrepreneurship where the sustainability of the growth is paramount. Entrepreneurship has over the past years enjoyed more and more attention as the underlying reason for sustainable growth. One of the reasons for this is that specific theories such as activity based costing or total quality management or any other management theory does not explain the complex inter-relationships of an organisation. Entrepreneurship is viewed as a broader approach that includes various management theories but also attributes the sustainable growth to the softer areas of study such as psychology, culture and creativity. These areas must be researched to assess the true impact on sustainable growth. The effect of the softer areas such as psychology on entrepreneurship, is shown by the way an entrepreneur is motivated. By understanding how an entrepreneur is motivated, more individuals can be exposed to this set of circumstances thereby potentially increasing the number of entrepreneurs. The effect of culture on the climate for developing entrepreneurship is also important. If the culture that is conducive to entrepreneurship can be maintained and introduced to a wider audience, it may be possible to increase entrepreneurship. In the same way creativity, which has been linked to studies in entrepreneurship, may be stimulated thereby increasing entrepreneurship. Various stakeholders have roles in developing entrepreneurship. This is important to understand since if these stakeholders do not develop entrepreneurship there may be a decrease in sustainable growth. The stakeholders must know the role as well as being measured on the success of the development. Even if stakeholders develop entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurs must then make use of the favourable environment to grow at a rate that is sustainable. This can be achieved by the use of entrepreneurial strategies. The conclusion is the inter-relationships and the positive impact entrepreneurship has on sustainable growth can be affected most by mentoring a potential entrepreneur. This was a method that produced the most significant results in previous empirical studies.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Du Plessis, Andre
- Date: 2011-12-06
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , Economic development , Sustainable development
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:1812 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4174
- Description: M.Comm. , The overall objective of this study was to find the influence of entrepreneurship on sustainable economic growth by defining entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial organisations as well as the inter relationships between entrepreneurship, development and growth. In today's competitive environment the influences on success through sustainable economic growth needs to be known. This will allow the understanding of failure as well as the reproduction of the success in other business. If the success can be reproduced this will be of benefit to the organisation, the community and at a macro level the country. There is an everincreasing amount of research to quantify the contribution entrepreneurship has to sustainable economic growth. Most research agrees entrepreneurship has a significant impact on economic growth. What is also of importance is that the economic growth is sustainable since there are areas such as the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises that may yield growth in the short term but can not sustain it. This can be argued as being more harmful to an economy than no growth at all. This strongly contrasts entrepreneurship where the sustainability of the growth is paramount. Entrepreneurship has over the past years enjoyed more and more attention as the underlying reason for sustainable growth. One of the reasons for this is that specific theories such as activity based costing or total quality management or any other management theory does not explain the complex inter-relationships of an organisation. Entrepreneurship is viewed as a broader approach that includes various management theories but also attributes the sustainable growth to the softer areas of study such as psychology, culture and creativity. These areas must be researched to assess the true impact on sustainable growth. The effect of the softer areas such as psychology on entrepreneurship, is shown by the way an entrepreneur is motivated. By understanding how an entrepreneur is motivated, more individuals can be exposed to this set of circumstances thereby potentially increasing the number of entrepreneurs. The effect of culture on the climate for developing entrepreneurship is also important. If the culture that is conducive to entrepreneurship can be maintained and introduced to a wider audience, it may be possible to increase entrepreneurship. In the same way creativity, which has been linked to studies in entrepreneurship, may be stimulated thereby increasing entrepreneurship. Various stakeholders have roles in developing entrepreneurship. This is important to understand since if these stakeholders do not develop entrepreneurship there may be a decrease in sustainable growth. The stakeholders must know the role as well as being measured on the success of the development. Even if stakeholders develop entrepreneurship, the entrepreneurs must then make use of the favourable environment to grow at a rate that is sustainable. This can be achieved by the use of entrepreneurial strategies. The conclusion is the inter-relationships and the positive impact entrepreneurship has on sustainable growth can be affected most by mentoring a potential entrepreneur. This was a method that produced the most significant results in previous empirical studies.
- Full Text:
Driving responsible research and innovation: science, society and the energy movement
- Malan, N., Simpson, Z., Janse van Rensburg, N.
- Authors: Malan, N. , Simpson, Z. , Janse van Rensburg, N.
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Science-society engagement , Renewable energy , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/250917 , uj:26158 , Citation: Malan, N., Simpson, Z. & Janse van Rensburg, N. 2017. Driving responsible research and innovation: science, society and the energy movement.
- Description: Abstract: South Africa faces the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality, as well as looming problems regarding water, energy and food. Science, technology and engineering are able to address some of these challenges but are often inaccessible and unfamiliar to the general public. Research and innovation in these fields needs to be increased, and undertaken in partnership with multidisciplinary stakeholders. This article uses the example of an engineering education initiative, the African Solar Drive, to illustrate how this may be achieved. It discusses recent developments in the philosophy of science that have emphasised responsibility in research and development, the similarities of these with action research methodologies and the relevance of these for the concerns South Africa faces at the moment. It presents a general methodology for science-society engagement and locates the African Solar Drive as a prelude to such engagement between higher education and the general public.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Malan, N. , Simpson, Z. , Janse van Rensburg, N.
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Science-society engagement , Renewable energy , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/250917 , uj:26158 , Citation: Malan, N., Simpson, Z. & Janse van Rensburg, N. 2017. Driving responsible research and innovation: science, society and the energy movement.
- Description: Abstract: South Africa faces the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality, as well as looming problems regarding water, energy and food. Science, technology and engineering are able to address some of these challenges but are often inaccessible and unfamiliar to the general public. Research and innovation in these fields needs to be increased, and undertaken in partnership with multidisciplinary stakeholders. This article uses the example of an engineering education initiative, the African Solar Drive, to illustrate how this may be achieved. It discusses recent developments in the philosophy of science that have emphasised responsibility in research and development, the similarities of these with action research methodologies and the relevance of these for the concerns South Africa faces at the moment. It presents a general methodology for science-society engagement and locates the African Solar Drive as a prelude to such engagement between higher education and the general public.
- Full Text:
Energy potential and sustainability management of platinum catalysed fuel cell technology in South Africa
- Authors: Mabiza, Junior Mabiza
- Date: 2013-11-21
- Subjects: Anglo American (Firm) , Hydrogen industry - South Africa - Management , Hydrogen as fuel - Case studies , Sustainable development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7777 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8672
- Description: M.Tech. (Construction Management) , In this study the environmental aspect of sustainability of the platinum catalysed Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology (HFCT) in progress in South Africa is examined as two case studies. The first case study is a laboratory-based process of platinum nanophase composite electrode prototype suitable for SPE electrolyser and PEM fuel cell. The second case study is the Anglo American Platinum industrial engineering process of recovering platinum group metals (PGMs). Environmental assessments were achieved using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standard ISO 14040 series and the Eco-indicator 99 methodology. The energy potential and sustainable development of the South African HFCT initiative as well as the initiative public awareness are also looked into. Emerging as high concerns in the region are South African coal-based and gas supply security for energy supply and sustainability, and the growth of energy demand. The heavy South African carbon footprint and the related global climate change are also high concerns. The South African cabinet adopted hydrogen and fuel cell technology as one of the priority technologies to be developed in a bid to reduce the country’s dependence on coal-fired power generation, oil and gas. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) submitted this proposition initiated from the public and private sectors; and this has been seen as a significant competitive advantage for the global HFCT initiatives in view of the country’s abundant platinum metals deposits, a key raw material in fuel cells. Arguing that the adoption of renewable energy systems as clean technology calls for the achievement of the ecology leg aims of sustainability. An environmental assessment over synthesizing nanophase composite electrode and producing platinum group metals are therefore proved to be pertinent. Results of LCA showed equivalent emissions of carbon dioxide in the preparation process of 119.23g electrode platinum nanophase were evaluated at approximately 8.78 kg CO2eq. Over 90% of all emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent were attributed to energy supplied, produced by emitting resources. Direct emissions which were mostly of chemicals were probably involved in the heating, calcining and drying of materials. The environmental impact assessment by Eco-indicator 99 methodology based on LCA results of the platinum composite electrode determined airborne likely potential emissions such as carbon monoxide, NOX, Ethanol, Formaldehyde, SOX and water vapour with their evaluated impacts as well as other potential emissions to soil/water such as wastewater and HMS matrix which can be recycled. LCA results of the PGMs recovery process showed airborne and waterborne emissions as well as emissions to soil. Emissions observed were both direct and indirect. Direct emissions were from ore composites, chemicals, coal, fuels and water recycled. Over 91% of GHG emissions are indirect from energy supplied. The largest environmental damage impact caused by over 91% of GHG emissions indirect to PGMs production process was estimated to be 8.18 E+9 mPt equivalent to 19,049 Terajoules from electricity purchased. The used electricity is coal-based with damage impact to resources caused by extraction of fossil fuels. The second largest damage impact of 3.43 E+8 mPt was attributed to resources caused by extraction of minerals. The damage impact of 2.48 E-1 mPt by SO2 emissions, which has an impact on human health and the ecosystem quality and the reason behind the motivation to assess the process of recovering PGMs, was relatively minor compared the first two and to some others. The energy potential of the South African HFCT initiative is thought through by its objectives and the capacities to achieve them. The sustainability management of the initiative for the long-term energy supply and sustainability can be determined by specific factors among those, addressing progressively GHG emissions involved in the entire life cycle of PGMs, from mining to recycling. As regards the current state of public awareness to the South African HFCT initiative, this is not well known and has little media attention.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mabiza, Junior Mabiza
- Date: 2013-11-21
- Subjects: Anglo American (Firm) , Hydrogen industry - South Africa - Management , Hydrogen as fuel - Case studies , Sustainable development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7777 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8672
- Description: M.Tech. (Construction Management) , In this study the environmental aspect of sustainability of the platinum catalysed Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology (HFCT) in progress in South Africa is examined as two case studies. The first case study is a laboratory-based process of platinum nanophase composite electrode prototype suitable for SPE electrolyser and PEM fuel cell. The second case study is the Anglo American Platinum industrial engineering process of recovering platinum group metals (PGMs). Environmental assessments were achieved using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standard ISO 14040 series and the Eco-indicator 99 methodology. The energy potential and sustainable development of the South African HFCT initiative as well as the initiative public awareness are also looked into. Emerging as high concerns in the region are South African coal-based and gas supply security for energy supply and sustainability, and the growth of energy demand. The heavy South African carbon footprint and the related global climate change are also high concerns. The South African cabinet adopted hydrogen and fuel cell technology as one of the priority technologies to be developed in a bid to reduce the country’s dependence on coal-fired power generation, oil and gas. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) submitted this proposition initiated from the public and private sectors; and this has been seen as a significant competitive advantage for the global HFCT initiatives in view of the country’s abundant platinum metals deposits, a key raw material in fuel cells. Arguing that the adoption of renewable energy systems as clean technology calls for the achievement of the ecology leg aims of sustainability. An environmental assessment over synthesizing nanophase composite electrode and producing platinum group metals are therefore proved to be pertinent. Results of LCA showed equivalent emissions of carbon dioxide in the preparation process of 119.23g electrode platinum nanophase were evaluated at approximately 8.78 kg CO2eq. Over 90% of all emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent were attributed to energy supplied, produced by emitting resources. Direct emissions which were mostly of chemicals were probably involved in the heating, calcining and drying of materials. The environmental impact assessment by Eco-indicator 99 methodology based on LCA results of the platinum composite electrode determined airborne likely potential emissions such as carbon monoxide, NOX, Ethanol, Formaldehyde, SOX and water vapour with their evaluated impacts as well as other potential emissions to soil/water such as wastewater and HMS matrix which can be recycled. LCA results of the PGMs recovery process showed airborne and waterborne emissions as well as emissions to soil. Emissions observed were both direct and indirect. Direct emissions were from ore composites, chemicals, coal, fuels and water recycled. Over 91% of GHG emissions are indirect from energy supplied. The largest environmental damage impact caused by over 91% of GHG emissions indirect to PGMs production process was estimated to be 8.18 E+9 mPt equivalent to 19,049 Terajoules from electricity purchased. The used electricity is coal-based with damage impact to resources caused by extraction of fossil fuels. The second largest damage impact of 3.43 E+8 mPt was attributed to resources caused by extraction of minerals. The damage impact of 2.48 E-1 mPt by SO2 emissions, which has an impact on human health and the ecosystem quality and the reason behind the motivation to assess the process of recovering PGMs, was relatively minor compared the first two and to some others. The energy potential of the South African HFCT initiative is thought through by its objectives and the capacities to achieve them. The sustainability management of the initiative for the long-term energy supply and sustainability can be determined by specific factors among those, addressing progressively GHG emissions involved in the entire life cycle of PGMs, from mining to recycling. As regards the current state of public awareness to the South African HFCT initiative, this is not well known and has little media attention.
- Full Text:
Ethnotourism at Blouberg in the Limpopo Province: a quest for sustainability
- Authors: Fourie, Marike
- Date: 2008-05-19T07:31:40Z
- Subjects: Tourism , Culture and tourism , Sustainable development , Limpopo (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:1895 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/424
- Description: Blouberg is situated in the Limpopo Province, west of the Soutpansberg, in the Republic of South Africa. The majestic Blouberg Mountain is a 2000-meter high prominence inhabited by a Sotho-speaking community whom live in relative isolation. The area is rich with a diverse range of natural elements: tree species, birds, animals and geographic features as well as cultural heritage. The camp, which is located on top of Blouberg, is a prime example of government-initiated community development. This tourist camp was established on the mountain with the objective that the local community would manage it for their own benefit. The community on Blouberg has strong cultural beliefs and heritage resources, which proves to have immense potential for ethnotourism development. However, cultural heritage and natural resources are also extremely vulnerable to over-exploitation and over-development, which consequently creates a need for sustainable management. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic analysis of sustainable ethnotourism on Blouberg in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. It acknowledges the multidisciplinary limitations and challenges that sustainable ethnotourism development presents, especially in rural communities such as the Hananwa at Blouberg. With regard to contemporary tourism development in the Limpopo Province, there seems to be a sense of expectation amongst local communities. This study investigates whether the full potential of the Blouberg camp is being achieved and whether the need for sustainable management exists. A sustainable management plan requires accurate research, evaluation of resources and the analysis of potential opportunities. Although there is limited information available regarding the opportunities, threats, impacts and effects of ethnotourism in South Africa, it is possible to integrate existing literature with principles of sustainable development to create a valuable framework to evaluate ethnotourism on Blouberg. , Prof. G. Verhoef
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fourie, Marike
- Date: 2008-05-19T07:31:40Z
- Subjects: Tourism , Culture and tourism , Sustainable development , Limpopo (South Africa)
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:1895 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/424
- Description: Blouberg is situated in the Limpopo Province, west of the Soutpansberg, in the Republic of South Africa. The majestic Blouberg Mountain is a 2000-meter high prominence inhabited by a Sotho-speaking community whom live in relative isolation. The area is rich with a diverse range of natural elements: tree species, birds, animals and geographic features as well as cultural heritage. The camp, which is located on top of Blouberg, is a prime example of government-initiated community development. This tourist camp was established on the mountain with the objective that the local community would manage it for their own benefit. The community on Blouberg has strong cultural beliefs and heritage resources, which proves to have immense potential for ethnotourism development. However, cultural heritage and natural resources are also extremely vulnerable to over-exploitation and over-development, which consequently creates a need for sustainable management. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic analysis of sustainable ethnotourism on Blouberg in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. It acknowledges the multidisciplinary limitations and challenges that sustainable ethnotourism development presents, especially in rural communities such as the Hananwa at Blouberg. With regard to contemporary tourism development in the Limpopo Province, there seems to be a sense of expectation amongst local communities. This study investigates whether the full potential of the Blouberg camp is being achieved and whether the need for sustainable management exists. A sustainable management plan requires accurate research, evaluation of resources and the analysis of potential opportunities. Although there is limited information available regarding the opportunities, threats, impacts and effects of ethnotourism in South Africa, it is possible to integrate existing literature with principles of sustainable development to create a valuable framework to evaluate ethnotourism on Blouberg. , Prof. G. Verhoef
- Full Text:
Evaluation of the sustainability and environmental impacts of mining in the Rustenburg Region
- Ololade, Olusola Oluwayemisi
- Authors: Ololade, Olusola Oluwayemisi
- Date: 2012-11-05
- Subjects: Platinum mines and mining - Environmental aspects , Mineral industries - Environmental aspects , Sustainable development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/374473 , uj:7338 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8087
- Description: Ph.D. , This study evaluates the environmental impacts of platinum mining in the Rustenburg region and the development of the region into a sustainable society, post the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in 2002. The region has been the location of intensive mining and metallurgical processing of platinum group minerals and chromium for more than three decades. Many studies have focused on the impacts of individual mines on their immediate environment and the sustainability of their operations. This study takes an holistic approach, looking at environmental changes across a larger area and the evaluation of the implementation of sustainable development principles in the region in the decade following the Johannesburg WSSD summit, using a multi-disciplinary approach. The debate concerning a suitable definition for sustainability within the mining context was followed through a literature review. In a strict sense, there is a paradox - mining is inherently unsustainable because of the finite, non-renewable nature of mineral resources. To resolve this paradox, two concepts of sustainability emerged: weak sustainability, in which economic capital replaces natural capital; and strong sustainability, prevention and minimising any environmental damage. These two concepts of sustainability were examined within the mining context, and the conclusion reached in this study is that the weak sustainability concept is more realistic and useful in the mining industry, since diverse environmental impacts cannot be avoided during mineral extraction. However, this does not mean that the environmental impacts should be neglected; instead they should be minimised. Sustainability is then achieved when the total amount of capital (i.e. both natural and economic) is constant or increases. Medium-resolution satellite data (Landsat and ASTER images) were used to map land cover/use to quantify the changes between 1973 and 2007, over 205 209 hectares of the Rustenburg region. The most important land cover/use change was the conversion of grassland to agricultural lands and mining areas. Changes in mine tailings storage facilities in terms of size and vegetation status were analysed. Landscape metrics (fragmentation index) were used to interpret the statistics derived from the land cover/use change to give an indication of the functioning of the ecosystem. Tailings samples were collected from two tailings storage facilities. Grain size analysis of the tailings samples was conducted to determine the percentage of particles with diameter ≤2.5 μm and ≤10 μm. Chemical analyses of samples were performed to determine elements of major concern because of their enrichment in the tailings and their potential toxicity. An analysis of the weather data acquired from the weather station located within the area was presented in the form of wind roses. Information on particle-size distributions obtained from the tailings samples and local meteorological data were used to carry out a detailed dispersion model of fugitive dust from mine tailings storage facilities.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ololade, Olusola Oluwayemisi
- Date: 2012-11-05
- Subjects: Platinum mines and mining - Environmental aspects , Mineral industries - Environmental aspects , Sustainable development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/374473 , uj:7338 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8087
- Description: Ph.D. , This study evaluates the environmental impacts of platinum mining in the Rustenburg region and the development of the region into a sustainable society, post the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in 2002. The region has been the location of intensive mining and metallurgical processing of platinum group minerals and chromium for more than three decades. Many studies have focused on the impacts of individual mines on their immediate environment and the sustainability of their operations. This study takes an holistic approach, looking at environmental changes across a larger area and the evaluation of the implementation of sustainable development principles in the region in the decade following the Johannesburg WSSD summit, using a multi-disciplinary approach. The debate concerning a suitable definition for sustainability within the mining context was followed through a literature review. In a strict sense, there is a paradox - mining is inherently unsustainable because of the finite, non-renewable nature of mineral resources. To resolve this paradox, two concepts of sustainability emerged: weak sustainability, in which economic capital replaces natural capital; and strong sustainability, prevention and minimising any environmental damage. These two concepts of sustainability were examined within the mining context, and the conclusion reached in this study is that the weak sustainability concept is more realistic and useful in the mining industry, since diverse environmental impacts cannot be avoided during mineral extraction. However, this does not mean that the environmental impacts should be neglected; instead they should be minimised. Sustainability is then achieved when the total amount of capital (i.e. both natural and economic) is constant or increases. Medium-resolution satellite data (Landsat and ASTER images) were used to map land cover/use to quantify the changes between 1973 and 2007, over 205 209 hectares of the Rustenburg region. The most important land cover/use change was the conversion of grassland to agricultural lands and mining areas. Changes in mine tailings storage facilities in terms of size and vegetation status were analysed. Landscape metrics (fragmentation index) were used to interpret the statistics derived from the land cover/use change to give an indication of the functioning of the ecosystem. Tailings samples were collected from two tailings storage facilities. Grain size analysis of the tailings samples was conducted to determine the percentage of particles with diameter ≤2.5 μm and ≤10 μm. Chemical analyses of samples were performed to determine elements of major concern because of their enrichment in the tailings and their potential toxicity. An analysis of the weather data acquired from the weather station located within the area was presented in the form of wind roses. Information on particle-size distributions obtained from the tailings samples and local meteorological data were used to carry out a detailed dispersion model of fugitive dust from mine tailings storage facilities.
- Full Text:
Exploring the efficacy of innovative urban public transport infrastructural systems on economic transformation: case of Gautrain and are Yeng in the City of Tshwane
- Ndwandwe, Bongumusa, Gumbo, Trynos
- Authors: Ndwandwe, Bongumusa , Gumbo, Trynos
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sustainable development , Transport Infrastructure , Systems on economic transformation
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/244368 , uj:25266 , Citation: Ndwandwe, B. & Gumbo, T. 2017. Exploring the efficacy of innovative urban public transport infrastructural systems on economic transformation: case of Gautrain and are Yeng in the City of Tshwane.
- Description: Abstract: There is generally interconnectedness among the complex urban challenges that are being experienced in most developing countries. Of particular note are the spatial fragmentation and inefficient and ineffective transport systems that characterize South African cities. In response, innovative urban public transport systems that seek to improve mobility and encourage mixed land use development have emerged. The innovations also seek to resolve the three apartheid vices that are unemployment, poverty and inequality thus enhancing economic growth and development within South African cities. This paper therefore examined the role of innovations in urban public transport systems to the creation and improvement of business operations and employment opportunities within the City of Tshwane. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were adopted and applied to gather from key informants and users of the transport services using interviews and questionnaires. Study findings revealed that the innovations have resulted in some commendable developments within the city of Tshwane however, the poor and previously disadvantaged citizens are yet to benefit meaningfully. The economic transformation agenda still needs to deliberately facilitate the inclusion of the poor in line with the massive transport infrastructure investments that have been made. Accordingly, the study recommends an integrated approach to economic transformation and innovative urban transport system. Human capacity development anchored through investment in education, skills development and human rehabilitation for self-help projects and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) is highly recommended. Major investment opportunities should prioritize the urban poor instead of mainly improving the lives of that are already part of the formal economy. As a result, the study concludes by developing a model on Integrated Approach to innovative urban transport planning and economic transformation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ndwandwe, Bongumusa , Gumbo, Trynos
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sustainable development , Transport Infrastructure , Systems on economic transformation
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/244368 , uj:25266 , Citation: Ndwandwe, B. & Gumbo, T. 2017. Exploring the efficacy of innovative urban public transport infrastructural systems on economic transformation: case of Gautrain and are Yeng in the City of Tshwane.
- Description: Abstract: There is generally interconnectedness among the complex urban challenges that are being experienced in most developing countries. Of particular note are the spatial fragmentation and inefficient and ineffective transport systems that characterize South African cities. In response, innovative urban public transport systems that seek to improve mobility and encourage mixed land use development have emerged. The innovations also seek to resolve the three apartheid vices that are unemployment, poverty and inequality thus enhancing economic growth and development within South African cities. This paper therefore examined the role of innovations in urban public transport systems to the creation and improvement of business operations and employment opportunities within the City of Tshwane. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were adopted and applied to gather from key informants and users of the transport services using interviews and questionnaires. Study findings revealed that the innovations have resulted in some commendable developments within the city of Tshwane however, the poor and previously disadvantaged citizens are yet to benefit meaningfully. The economic transformation agenda still needs to deliberately facilitate the inclusion of the poor in line with the massive transport infrastructure investments that have been made. Accordingly, the study recommends an integrated approach to economic transformation and innovative urban transport system. Human capacity development anchored through investment in education, skills development and human rehabilitation for self-help projects and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) is highly recommended. Major investment opportunities should prioritize the urban poor instead of mainly improving the lives of that are already part of the formal economy. As a result, the study concludes by developing a model on Integrated Approach to innovative urban transport planning and economic transformation.
- Full Text:
Factors influencing the success and failure of small and medium-sized enterprises in Tembisa township, South Africa
- Mngadi Bhila, Thobile Yvonne
- Authors: Mngadi Bhila, Thobile Yvonne
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Small business - South Africa - Gauteng - Management , Sustainable development , Industrial management - South Africa - Gauteng
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/269890 , uj:28677
- Description: M.Tech. (Operations Management) , Abstract: The overall purpose of the study was to investigate and establish some of the motivating factors responsible for the failure or success of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Township of Tembisa. A secondary purpose that follows on the first one is to establish to what extent management skills and training skills have an influence on the success or failure of small businesses in Tembisa. The study identified and outlined the business and management skills required for the management of small enterprises in the township of Tembisa. The primary objective of the study is to identify those managerial and business skills that have contributed to the success and or survival of small enterprises. The population for the study was made up of SMEs in Tembisa, which were identified from the overall population of Tembisa Township small business enterprises. The study used a quantitative research method, and questionnaires were completed by 160 small business owners in Tembisa Township. The investigation revealed that it is important for small business owners to have financial management, marketing, time management, technical and interpersonal communication skills to bring success in the business. It was also discovered that small business owners had challenges in accessing credit facilities from financial institutions and individuals. The researcher strongly recommends that those aspiring small business owners must improve on their management skills, attend workshops and seminars in business management in order to reduce the risk of failure. It is also important that financial institutions extend credit facilities to small businesses to support their initiatives.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mngadi Bhila, Thobile Yvonne
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Small business - South Africa - Gauteng - Management , Sustainable development , Industrial management - South Africa - Gauteng
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/269890 , uj:28677
- Description: M.Tech. (Operations Management) , Abstract: The overall purpose of the study was to investigate and establish some of the motivating factors responsible for the failure or success of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Township of Tembisa. A secondary purpose that follows on the first one is to establish to what extent management skills and training skills have an influence on the success or failure of small businesses in Tembisa. The study identified and outlined the business and management skills required for the management of small enterprises in the township of Tembisa. The primary objective of the study is to identify those managerial and business skills that have contributed to the success and or survival of small enterprises. The population for the study was made up of SMEs in Tembisa, which were identified from the overall population of Tembisa Township small business enterprises. The study used a quantitative research method, and questionnaires were completed by 160 small business owners in Tembisa Township. The investigation revealed that it is important for small business owners to have financial management, marketing, time management, technical and interpersonal communication skills to bring success in the business. It was also discovered that small business owners had challenges in accessing credit facilities from financial institutions and individuals. The researcher strongly recommends that those aspiring small business owners must improve on their management skills, attend workshops and seminars in business management in order to reduce the risk of failure. It is also important that financial institutions extend credit facilities to small businesses to support their initiatives.
- Full Text:
Impacts of primary energy constraints in the 21st century
- Authors: Nel, Willem P.
- Date: 2010-03-25T06:25:17Z
- Subjects: Energy conservation , Energy development , Power resources , Fossil fuels , Nuclear energy , Sustainable development , Economic development , Global warming
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6691 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3094
- Description: D.Phil. , Global society has evolved into a complex multi-dimensional system in which it has become increasingly difficult to construct and maintain a systemic model of cause and effect. Specialisation and abstraction in the various disciplines of scientific and societal complexity has led to divergent theories of sustainability. Failure to integrate real life problems across disciplines poses a threat to modern society because the causal links between disciplines are unattended in many instances and events in one dimension could lead to catastrophic unintended consequences in another. In light of the above, this thesis contributes towards the multi-disciplinary integration of some of the most important sustainability concerns of modern society, namely Energy Security, Economic Growth and Global Warming. Analysing these real-life sustainability issues in a multi-disciplinary context leads to conclusions that are controversial in terms of established philosophical worldviews and policy trends. Firstly, the thesis establishes deterministic expectations of an imminent era of declining Energy Security resulting from the exhaustion of non-renewable fossil fuel resources, despite optimistic expectations of technology improvements in alternative energy sources such as renewable and nuclear. Secondly, the exhaustion of non-renewable fossil fuel resources imposes limits to the potential sources of anthropogenic carbon emissions that render the more pessimistic emissions cases considered in the global warming debate irrelevant. The lower level of attainable carbon emissions challenges the merits of the conventional carbon feedback cycle with the result that the predicted global warming is within acceptance limits of the contemporary global warming debate. Thirdly, the consequences of declining Energy Security on socio-economic welfare is a severe divergence from historical trends and demands the reassertion of the role of energy in human development, including Economic Growth theory. The thesis develops a novel economic growth model that treats energy as an explicit and Autonomous Factor of Production, thereby facilitating plausible predictions of future Economic Growth potential. The results challenge the sustainability of the current free-market capitalist economic system and demand strong policy responses to avoid the collapse of modern society.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Nel, Willem P.
- Date: 2010-03-25T06:25:17Z
- Subjects: Energy conservation , Energy development , Power resources , Fossil fuels , Nuclear energy , Sustainable development , Economic development , Global warming
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6691 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3094
- Description: D.Phil. , Global society has evolved into a complex multi-dimensional system in which it has become increasingly difficult to construct and maintain a systemic model of cause and effect. Specialisation and abstraction in the various disciplines of scientific and societal complexity has led to divergent theories of sustainability. Failure to integrate real life problems across disciplines poses a threat to modern society because the causal links between disciplines are unattended in many instances and events in one dimension could lead to catastrophic unintended consequences in another. In light of the above, this thesis contributes towards the multi-disciplinary integration of some of the most important sustainability concerns of modern society, namely Energy Security, Economic Growth and Global Warming. Analysing these real-life sustainability issues in a multi-disciplinary context leads to conclusions that are controversial in terms of established philosophical worldviews and policy trends. Firstly, the thesis establishes deterministic expectations of an imminent era of declining Energy Security resulting from the exhaustion of non-renewable fossil fuel resources, despite optimistic expectations of technology improvements in alternative energy sources such as renewable and nuclear. Secondly, the exhaustion of non-renewable fossil fuel resources imposes limits to the potential sources of anthropogenic carbon emissions that render the more pessimistic emissions cases considered in the global warming debate irrelevant. The lower level of attainable carbon emissions challenges the merits of the conventional carbon feedback cycle with the result that the predicted global warming is within acceptance limits of the contemporary global warming debate. Thirdly, the consequences of declining Energy Security on socio-economic welfare is a severe divergence from historical trends and demands the reassertion of the role of energy in human development, including Economic Growth theory. The thesis develops a novel economic growth model that treats energy as an explicit and Autonomous Factor of Production, thereby facilitating plausible predictions of future Economic Growth potential. The results challenge the sustainability of the current free-market capitalist economic system and demand strong policy responses to avoid the collapse of modern society.
- Full Text:
Implementation of a science-action partnership to manage a threatened ecosystem in an urban context
- Musakwa, Walteressica, Rouget, Mathieu, Musakwa, Walter, Smit, A.J., Slotow, Rob, Roberts, D., Boon, R., Douwes, E., O'Donoghue, S., Downs, C.T., Murkherjee, Shomen, Mwabvu, Tarombera, Odindi, John, Odindo, Alfred, Prochess, Serban, Ramdhani, Syd, Murkherjee, J.Ray, Naidoo , S., Schoeman, M.C., Wale, Edilegnaw, Willows-Munro, S.
- Authors: Musakwa, Walteressica , Rouget, Mathieu , Musakwa, Walter , Smit, A.J. , Slotow, Rob , Roberts, D. , Boon, R. , Douwes, E. , O'Donoghue, S. , Downs, C.T. , Murkherjee, Shomen , Mwabvu, Tarombera , Odindi, John , Odindo, Alfred , Prochess, Serban , Ramdhani, Syd , Murkherjee, J.Ray , Naidoo , S. , Schoeman, M.C. , Wale, Edilegnaw , Willows-Munro, S.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Mutanga, O. , Land use planning , Biodiversity conservation , Environmental management , Climate change adaptation , Sustainable development , Transdisciplinary research
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/94012 , uj:20419 , Citation: Musakwa, W. et al. 2016. Implementation of a science-action partnership to manage a threatened ecosystem in an urban context.
- Description: Abstract: The gap between scientific knowledge and implementation of such knowledge in the fields of biodiversity conservation, environmental management and climate change adaptation, is widely recognized. The state of knowledge of urban ecosystems is generally quite poor, and there is a shortage of human capacity to implement scientifically-sound management practices at the local level, especially within institutions having the mandate of regulating land use planning. The need to bridge the science-action gap to improve decision-making for local land use planning and management, and thereby reduce the impacts of urbanization on ecosystems, has been recognized by eThekwini Municipality in the city of Durban, South Africa...
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- Authors: Musakwa, Walteressica , Rouget, Mathieu , Musakwa, Walter , Smit, A.J. , Slotow, Rob , Roberts, D. , Boon, R. , Douwes, E. , O'Donoghue, S. , Downs, C.T. , Murkherjee, Shomen , Mwabvu, Tarombera , Odindi, John , Odindo, Alfred , Prochess, Serban , Ramdhani, Syd , Murkherjee, J.Ray , Naidoo , S. , Schoeman, M.C. , Wale, Edilegnaw , Willows-Munro, S.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Mutanga, O. , Land use planning , Biodiversity conservation , Environmental management , Climate change adaptation , Sustainable development , Transdisciplinary research
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/94012 , uj:20419 , Citation: Musakwa, W. et al. 2016. Implementation of a science-action partnership to manage a threatened ecosystem in an urban context.
- Description: Abstract: The gap between scientific knowledge and implementation of such knowledge in the fields of biodiversity conservation, environmental management and climate change adaptation, is widely recognized. The state of knowledge of urban ecosystems is generally quite poor, and there is a shortage of human capacity to implement scientifically-sound management practices at the local level, especially within institutions having the mandate of regulating land use planning. The need to bridge the science-action gap to improve decision-making for local land use planning and management, and thereby reduce the impacts of urbanization on ecosystems, has been recognized by eThekwini Municipality in the city of Durban, South Africa...
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Innovation and networking in tourism for the competitiveness of the Western Cape regional tourism economy
- Authors: Booyens, Irma
- Date: 2015-07-02
- Subjects: Tourism - South Africa - Western Cape. , Tourism - South Africa - Western Cape - Management , Human Geography - South Africa - Western Cape , Sustainable development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13680 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13874
- Description: Ph.D. (Geography) , This research investigation straddles the disciplines of economic geography, innovation studies and tourism studies. In recent decades, services have outperformed manufacturing from an employment and output perspective in most advanced economies. This trend, associated with neoliberal restructuring, is also observable in emerging market economies like South Africa and regions like the Western Cape. Research on innovation in services has been limited in the international, as well as the local context. Innovation activity has significant implications for firm and destination competitiveness, as well as regional economic development. Policy makers, concerned with fostering innovation, are increasingly recognising the economic significance of tourism for economic development. In South Africa and the Western Cape, tourism is regarded as a key sector for job creation and growth. However, in South Africa innovation policy excludes tourism, whilst there is a limited understanding of tourism innovation evident in tourism policies. Therefore, tourism innovation, and related issues such as networking and regional competitiveness, needs to be understood better in the South African context to support evidence-based regional economic, tourism and innovation policies. The research confirms that the Schumpeterian notion of innovation is appropriate for measuring innovation in services and tourism. The European Community Innovation Survey questionnaire was adapted for a sector-specific survey of tourism firms in the Western Cape. In addition, qualitative interviews with firms on the establishment and corporate levels; as well as with tourism actors in the Western Cape tourism system, and with tourism experts, entrepreneurs and associations formed part of the empirical investigation. In total, 182 responses were obtained. It is determined that innovation by tourism firms is widespread in the Western Cape tourism economy. The incremental nature of innovation, however, is an outstanding feature in an emerging economy, global South, context. Evidence of product, marketing, environmental, organisational, process, structural and social innovations in tourism are identified. The identification of environmental, social and structural innovation in tourism contributes to the literature. This investigation contributes further by providing perspectives on innovation per tourism sub-sector.
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- Authors: Booyens, Irma
- Date: 2015-07-02
- Subjects: Tourism - South Africa - Western Cape. , Tourism - South Africa - Western Cape - Management , Human Geography - South Africa - Western Cape , Sustainable development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13680 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13874
- Description: Ph.D. (Geography) , This research investigation straddles the disciplines of economic geography, innovation studies and tourism studies. In recent decades, services have outperformed manufacturing from an employment and output perspective in most advanced economies. This trend, associated with neoliberal restructuring, is also observable in emerging market economies like South Africa and regions like the Western Cape. Research on innovation in services has been limited in the international, as well as the local context. Innovation activity has significant implications for firm and destination competitiveness, as well as regional economic development. Policy makers, concerned with fostering innovation, are increasingly recognising the economic significance of tourism for economic development. In South Africa and the Western Cape, tourism is regarded as a key sector for job creation and growth. However, in South Africa innovation policy excludes tourism, whilst there is a limited understanding of tourism innovation evident in tourism policies. Therefore, tourism innovation, and related issues such as networking and regional competitiveness, needs to be understood better in the South African context to support evidence-based regional economic, tourism and innovation policies. The research confirms that the Schumpeterian notion of innovation is appropriate for measuring innovation in services and tourism. The European Community Innovation Survey questionnaire was adapted for a sector-specific survey of tourism firms in the Western Cape. In addition, qualitative interviews with firms on the establishment and corporate levels; as well as with tourism actors in the Western Cape tourism system, and with tourism experts, entrepreneurs and associations formed part of the empirical investigation. In total, 182 responses were obtained. It is determined that innovation by tourism firms is widespread in the Western Cape tourism economy. The incremental nature of innovation, however, is an outstanding feature in an emerging economy, global South, context. Evidence of product, marketing, environmental, organisational, process, structural and social innovations in tourism are identified. The identification of environmental, social and structural innovation in tourism contributes to the literature. This investigation contributes further by providing perspectives on innovation per tourism sub-sector.
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Mapping the landscape and structure of research on education for sustainable development : a bibliometric Review
- Hallinger, Philip, Nguyen, Vien-Thong
- Authors: Hallinger, Philip , Nguyen, Vien-Thong
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Education for sustainable development , Sustainability , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/431473 , uj:37230 , DOI:10.3390/su12051947 , Citation: Hallinger, P. & Nguyen, V.T. 2020. Mapping the landscape and structure of research on education for sustainable development : a bibliometric Review.
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract.
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- Authors: Hallinger, Philip , Nguyen, Vien-Thong
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Education for sustainable development , Sustainability , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/431473 , uj:37230 , DOI:10.3390/su12051947 , Citation: Hallinger, P. & Nguyen, V.T. 2020. Mapping the landscape and structure of research on education for sustainable development : a bibliometric Review.
- Description: Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract.
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Municipal solid waste from landfills a solution to energy crisis in South Africa
- Authors: Dada, O.R. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Biogas , Landfill , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/215015 , uj:21353 , Citation: Dada, O.R & Mbohwa, C. 2016. Municipal solid waste from landfills a solution to energy crisis in South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: There is a growing interest in the management of municipal solid waste globally, and South Africa is also not relenting in its effort to turning wastes from landfill into resourceful materials or energy because of the environmental issues and job opportunities that arises from the wastes generated from household to industrial by-products. Due to the escalating increase in the cost of dumping wastes into landfills and depletion of land spaces despite the popular global campaign of waste reduction, re-use and recycling there is still a rapid increase in the tonnage of wastes that is being produced on daily basis from all works of life which results in huge quantity of waste that is disposed to landfills. This calls for an urgent need to look into possible ways of managing wastes better in such a manner that it contributes and promotes sustainable socio - economic development of the nation. This research paper focuses on the type of waste generated from the City of Johannesburg, the potential biomethane that could be produced from the organic wastes, waste collection methods around the city before disposal on landfills within the City of Johannesburg and investigation of energy generation from waste as a better waste management technique. Robinson deep landfill which is one of the biggest landfill site within the city in terms of capacity is located in the South of Johannesburg. This landfill is a potential site for the establishment of a biogas plant where landfill wastes is expected to be used as feedstocks for the production of biogas. The biogas produced will be further upgraded to biomethane for powering the City of Johannesburg metro buses.
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- Authors: Dada, O.R. , Mbohwa, Charles
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Biogas , Landfill , Sustainable development
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/215015 , uj:21353 , Citation: Dada, O.R & Mbohwa, C. 2016. Municipal solid waste from landfills a solution to energy crisis in South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: There is a growing interest in the management of municipal solid waste globally, and South Africa is also not relenting in its effort to turning wastes from landfill into resourceful materials or energy because of the environmental issues and job opportunities that arises from the wastes generated from household to industrial by-products. Due to the escalating increase in the cost of dumping wastes into landfills and depletion of land spaces despite the popular global campaign of waste reduction, re-use and recycling there is still a rapid increase in the tonnage of wastes that is being produced on daily basis from all works of life which results in huge quantity of waste that is disposed to landfills. This calls for an urgent need to look into possible ways of managing wastes better in such a manner that it contributes and promotes sustainable socio - economic development of the nation. This research paper focuses on the type of waste generated from the City of Johannesburg, the potential biomethane that could be produced from the organic wastes, waste collection methods around the city before disposal on landfills within the City of Johannesburg and investigation of energy generation from waste as a better waste management technique. Robinson deep landfill which is one of the biggest landfill site within the city in terms of capacity is located in the South of Johannesburg. This landfill is a potential site for the establishment of a biogas plant where landfill wastes is expected to be used as feedstocks for the production of biogas. The biogas produced will be further upgraded to biomethane for powering the City of Johannesburg metro buses.
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Nature-based tourism operators’ perceptions and adaptation to climate change in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
- Mushawemhuka, William, Rogerson, Jayne M., Saarinen, Jarkko
- Authors: Mushawemhuka, William , Rogerson, Jayne M. , Saarinen, Jarkko
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tourism , Sustainable development , Climate change
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/290119 , uj:31490 , Citation: Mushawemhuka W., Rogerson J.M. and Saarinen J., 2018: Nature-based tourism operators’ perceptions and adaptation to climate change in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, 42(42), 115-127. DOI: http://doi. org/10.2478/bog-2018-0034.
- Description: Abstract: Climate and weather are important resources for tourism. In particular, nature-based tourism activities and operations are largely dependent on and affected by environmental conditions and changes. Due to the significant socio-economic role of the nature-based tourism and the tourism industry, in general, in the region of southern Africa it is important to understand the dynamics between the industry and climate change. A key aspect of this understanding are perceptions and adaptation preparedness of tourism operators towards the estimated impact of climate change. There is a dearth of empirical studies on climate change perceptions and adaptation in nature-based tourism operations across southern Africa and specifically from Zimbabwe. This research gap is addressed in this article which provides an exploratory analysis of the nature of climate change adaptation practices occurring in southern Africa using evidence from Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.
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- Authors: Mushawemhuka, William , Rogerson, Jayne M. , Saarinen, Jarkko
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tourism , Sustainable development , Climate change
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/290119 , uj:31490 , Citation: Mushawemhuka W., Rogerson J.M. and Saarinen J., 2018: Nature-based tourism operators’ perceptions and adaptation to climate change in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, 42(42), 115-127. DOI: http://doi. org/10.2478/bog-2018-0034.
- Description: Abstract: Climate and weather are important resources for tourism. In particular, nature-based tourism activities and operations are largely dependent on and affected by environmental conditions and changes. Due to the significant socio-economic role of the nature-based tourism and the tourism industry, in general, in the region of southern Africa it is important to understand the dynamics between the industry and climate change. A key aspect of this understanding are perceptions and adaptation preparedness of tourism operators towards the estimated impact of climate change. There is a dearth of empirical studies on climate change perceptions and adaptation in nature-based tourism operations across southern Africa and specifically from Zimbabwe. This research gap is addressed in this article which provides an exploratory analysis of the nature of climate change adaptation practices occurring in southern Africa using evidence from Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.
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