scholarly journals Factors Influencing Competition in the Maize Milling Sector in South Africa

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 50
Author(s):  
H. A. Mtisi ◽  
K. K. Govender
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
Differentiation Strategy ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Maize Meal ◽  
New Entrants ◽  
External Forces

Although the maize milling industry in South Africa is highly attractive and profitable, new entrants are unsuccessful. Thus, understanding the factors influencing competition is important for developing strategies which can help new entrants to be more resilient and also succeed. A case study of a very successful organization in the industry was conducted using Porters five forces model, to explore the factors influencing competition in the industry. The selected organization employs a differentiation strategy which enables it to constantly improve and introduce new maize meal varieties to serve a wide range of customers. The findings revealed that the selected organization employs resources, capabilities and knowledge in its business processes to sustain its competitive advantage. Thus, it is recommended that firms entering this industry should harmonize internal resources, knowledge, capabilities and external forces to generate a competitive advantage.    Received: 18 November 2021 / Accepted: 30 December 2021 / Published: 5 January 2022

Factors that Influence the Durability of Transplanted Kidneys in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hillary Ndemera ◽  
Busisiwe R. Bhengu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Kidney Transplant ◽  
Lifestyle Modification ◽  
P Value ◽  
Transplant Recipients ◽  
Kidney Transplant Recipients ◽  
Kidney Allograft ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Allograft Loss ◽  
Transplanted Kidneys

Kidney transplantation is the cornerstone for renal treatment in patients with end-stage renal failure. Despite improvements in short-term outcomes of renal transplantation, kidney allograft loss remains a huge challenge. The aim of the study was to assess factors influencing the durability of transplanted kidneys among transplant recipients in South Africa. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A random sampling was used to select 171 participants. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews developed from in-depth consideration of relevant literature. Data were coded and entered into the SPSS software, version 24. The entered data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that the average durability of transplanted kidneys was 9.07 years among selected kidney transplant recipients in South Africa. Factors associated with the durability of transplanted kidneys included age, the sewerage system and strict immunosuppressive adherence, all with a P-value = .000, followed by the mode of transport (P-value = .001) and support system (P-value = .004). Other variables including demographics, the healthcare system, medication and lifestyle modification engagement were not associated with the durability of transplanted kidneys. Understanding the factors influencing the durability of transplanted kidneys among kidney transplant recipients in South Africa is crucial. The study revealed associated factors and gaps which may be contributory factors to kidney allograft loss. This study provides an opportunity to introduce specific interventions to nephrology professionals to promote prolonged graft durability. It is recommended that a specific intervention model be developed, which targets South African kidney recipients taking into account the significant variables in this study and the socio-economic status of the country.

Free but fragile: Human relations amidst poverty and HIV in democratic South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-94
Author(s):  
Christina Landman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Predominantly White ◽  
Black People ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Human Relations ◽  
White People ◽  
Black And White ◽  
The Past ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Black Township

Dullstroom-Emnotweni is the highest town in South Africa. Cold and misty, it is situated in the eastern Highveld, halfway between the capital Pretoria/Tswane and the Mozambique border. Alongside the main road of the white town, 27 restaurants provide entertainment to tourists on their way to Mozambique or the Kruger National Park. The inhabitants of the black township, Sakhelwe, are remnants of the Southern Ndebele who have lost their land a century ago in wars against the whites. They are mainly dependent on employment as cleaners and waitresses in the still predominantly white town. Three white people from the white town and three black people from the township have been interviewed on their views whether democracy has brought changes to this society during the past 20 years. Answers cover a wide range of views. Gratitude is expressed that women are now safer and HIV treatment available. However, unemployment and poverty persist in a community that nevertheless shows resilience and feeds on hope. While the first part of this article relates the interviews, the final part identifies from them the discourses that keep the black and white communities from forming a group identity that is based on equality and human dignity as the values of democracy.

The Biology of Mediterranean-Type Ecosystems

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen J. Esler ◽  
Anna L. Jacobsen ◽  
R. Brandon Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Cutting Edge ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Mediterranean Type Ecosystems

The world’s mediterranean-type climate regions (including areas within the Mediterranean, South Africa, Australia, California, and Chile) have long been of interest to biologists by virtue of their extraordinary biodiversity and the appearance of evolutionary convergence between these disparate regions. Comparisons between mediterranean-type climate regions have provided important insights into questions at the cutting edge of ecological, ecophysiological and evolutionary research. These regions, dominated by evergreen shrubland communities, contain many rare and endemic species. Their mild climate makes them appealing places to live and visit and this has resulted in numerous threats to the species and communities that occupy them. Threats include a wide range of factors such as habitat loss due to development and agriculture, disturbance, invasive species, and climate change. As a result, they continue to attract far more attention than their limited geographic area might suggest. This book provides a concise but comprehensive introduction to mediterranean-type ecosystems. As with other books in the Biology of Habitats Series, the emphasis in this book is on the organisms that dominate these regions although their management, conservation, and restoration are also considered.

Hydraulic segmentation does not protect stems from acute water loss during fire

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A Hoffmann ◽  
Amanda C Rodrigues ◽  
Nicholas Uncles ◽  
Lorenzo Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Water Uptake ◽  
Water Loss ◽  
High Water ◽  
Fire Plume ◽  
Magnolia Grandiflora ◽  
Hydraulic Failure ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Transport Path ◽  
Measured Water

Abstract The heat plume associated with fire has been hypothesized to cause sufficient water loss from trees to induce embolism and hydraulic failure. However, it is unclear whether the water transport path remains sufficiently intact during scorching or burning of foliage to sustain high water loss. We measured water uptake by branches of Magnolia grandiflora while exposing them to a range of fire intensities, and examined factors influencing continued water uptake after fire. Burning caused a 22-fold mean increase in water uptake, with greatest rates of water loss observed at burn intensities that caused complete consumption of leaves. Such rapid uptake is possible only with steep gradients in water potential, which would likely result in substantial cavitation of xylem and loss of conductivity in intact stems. Water uptake continued after burning was complete, and was greatest following burn intensities that killed leaves but did not consume them. This post-fire uptake was mostly driven by rehydration of the remaining tissues, rather than evaporation from the tissues. Our results indicate that the fire-plume hypothesis can be expanded to include a wide range of burning conditions experienced by plants. High rates of water loss are sustained during burning, even when leaves are killed or completely consumed.

scholarly journals The effects of greening the supplier and innovation on environmental performance and competitive advantage

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Unine Van den Berg ◽  
Jean-Pierre Labuschagne ◽  
Hugo Van den Berg
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Latent Constructs ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Environmental Goals ◽  
The City ◽  
Strength Of Association ◽  
Managerial Innovation

Companies in South Africa should realise the important influence of greening their suppliers and of innovation to achieve environmental goals and competitive advantages. In order to prove this, a questionnaire survey was conducted with 75 companies from 11 industries in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality region, South Africa. A confirmatory factor analysis was done, followed by bivariate correlations to determine the strength of association between the latent constructs. Correlations between greening the supplier, innovation, environmental performance and competitive advantages were done. The research found that a green innovative process had a significant effect on environmental performance. Green managerial innovation further had a significant correlation with competitive advantage. The primary result of the study indicated that all the constructs positively related to each other, meaning that greening suppliers, by means of green innovation, leads to an enhanced environmental performance and to competitive advantages.

scholarly journals One year of Raman lidar observations of free-tropospheric aerosol layers over South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 5429-5442 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Giannakaki ◽  
A. Pfüller ◽  
K. Korhonen ◽  
T. Mielonen ◽  
L. Laakso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Optical Properties ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Raman Lidar ◽  
Tropospheric Aerosol ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
532 Nm

Abstract. Raman lidar data obtained over a 1 year period has been analysed in relation to aerosol layers in the free troposphere over the Highveld in South Africa. In total, 375 layers were observed above the boundary layer during the period 30 January 2010 to 31 January 2011. The seasonal behaviour of aerosol layer geometrical characteristics, as well as intensive and extensive optical properties were studied. The highest centre heights of free-tropospheric layers were observed during the South African spring (2520 ± 970 m a.g.l., also elsewhere). The geometrical layer depth was found to be maximum during spring, while it did not show any significant difference for the rest of the seasons. The variability of the analysed intensive and extensive optical properties was high during all seasons. Layers were observed at a mean centre height of 2100 ± 1000 m with an average lidar ratio of 67 ± 25 sr (mean value with 1 standard deviation) at 355 nm and a mean extinction-related Ångström exponent of 1.9 ± 0.8 between 355 and 532 nm during the period under study. Except for the intensive biomass burning period from August to October, the lidar ratios and Ångström exponents are within the range of previous observations for urban/industrial aerosols. During Southern Hemispheric spring, the biomass burning activity is clearly reflected in the optical properties of the observed free-tropospheric layers. Specifically, lidar ratios at 355 nm were 89 ± 21, 57 ± 20, 59 ± 22 and 65 ± 23 sr during spring (September–November), summer (December–February), autumn (March–May) and winter (June–August), respectively. The extinction-related Ångström exponents between 355 and 532 nm measured during spring, summer, autumn and winter were 1.8 ± 0.6, 2.4 ± 0.9, 1.8 ± 0.9 and 1.8 ± 0.6, respectively. The mean columnar aerosol optical depth (AOD) obtained from lidar measurements was found to be 0.46 ± 0.35 at 355 nm and 0.25 ± 0.2 at 532 nm. The contribution of free-tropospheric aerosols on the AOD had a wide range of values with a mean contribution of 46%.

Oligonychus coffeae. [Distribution map].

1963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Central America ◽  
West Indies ◽  
Pacific Islands ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Oligonychus Coffeae ◽  
Belgian Congo ◽  
Trees And Shrubs ◽  
New Distribution

Abstract A new distribution map is provided for Oligonychus coffeae (Nietn.) (Acarina, Tetranychidae) (Tea Red Spider). Hosts: Tea, coffee; wide range of trees and shrubs. Information is given on the geographical distribution in ASIA (excl. USSR), Burma, Ceylon, Formosa, India, Indo-China, Indonesia, Pakistan, USSR, AFRICA, Belgian Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Nyasaland, Republic of South Africa, Tanganyika, AUSTRALASIA and PACIFIC ISLANDS, Australia, NORTH AMERICA, U.S.A., CENTRAL AMERICA and WEST INDIES, Costa Rica, SOUTH AMERICA, Colombia, Ecuador.

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