scholarly journals "From The Worst To The Best": An Exploratory Qualitative Study Of The Process Of Social Change At A South African Secondary School

2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Berendien Van Aswegen ◽  
Willem Schurink
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Social Process ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Process Of Change ◽  
The Social ◽  
Role Players ◽  
Analyse Data ◽  
Ineffective Schools ◽  
Disadvantaged School

The primary aim of the study is to describe an initiative to effect organisational change at a previously disadvantaged school in South Africa’s Gauteng Province. Qualitative methods were used to collect and analyse data on the social process of change in the school. Essays of role players in the change process on their experiences led to important insights. This exploratory study points to a process that was effective in bringing about change at a school and holds promise for constructing a theoretical model of how change could be effected in ineffective schools. OpsommingDie primêre doel van die studie is die beskrywing van ’n organisatoriese verandering by ’n voorheen benadeelde skool in Suid-Afrika se Gauteng Provinsie. Kwalitatiewe metodes is gebruik om data oor die sosiale proses te genereer en te analiseer. Opstelle van betrokkenes by die veranderingsproses oor hulle ervarings het tot belangrike insigte gelei. Hierdie verkennende studie dui op ’n proses wat suksesvol gewerk het om verandering te weeg te bring en hou belofte in vir die ontwikkeling van ’n teoretiese model van hoe verandering in oneffektiewe skole bewerkstellig kan word.

scholarly journals Frontline police employees’ social construction of client service

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
Karel Stanz ◽  
G. J. Schwart ◽  
W. J. Schurink
Keyword(s):  
Social Construction ◽  
South African ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Organisational Change ◽  
Frontline Employees ◽  
South African Police Service ◽  
The Social ◽  
South African Police ◽  
Satisfaction Model

The social construction of frontline employees’ client service plays a major role in organisational success. This study illuminated why frontline personnel are reluctant to accept organisational change which is in line with new policing philosophies. Applying modernist qualitative methodology, and particularly grounded theory within a case study design a ‘process satisfaction model’ was developed with the aim to improve employee satisfaction with internal processes and ultimately service delivery. This model may be used for change in the South African Police Service SAPS) and other government departments.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study on South African Users’ Perception to Use, Choose, and Purchase a Smartphone Device through the Lens of the Social Shaping of Technology (SST) Theory

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lufungula Osembe
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
South African ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Social Shaping Of Technology ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Shaping ◽  
Analyse Data

Mobile technologies are increasingly making important contributions to the lives of many users. Various factors are said to influence the decision of users to remain connected and be in constant interaction with other users from the same or different social networks. This paper used the Social Shaping of Technology (SST) theory to assess the influence of users’ social networks on their decision to use, choose and purchase a smartphone device. The study used a quantitative research method to analyse data. Data were collected from a sample of young adults aged between 15 and 35 years residing in Durban, South Africa. The study revealed that social networking sites influence users’ decision to use, choose, and purchase a smartphone device. The findings also revealed factors that are perceived as influential in the perceptions of users about their social networks and their interactions with users from the same social networks.

scholarly journals Critical Leadership Style Actions for Improving Construction Personnel Performance in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chijioke Emere ◽  
Clinton Aigbavboa ◽  
Wellington Thwala
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Project Delivery ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Team Members ◽  
The Social ◽  
Critical Leadership ◽  
Leadership Actions

The successful performance of any enterprise is connected to adequate leadership. For construction, leadership is much needed to effectively manage the project team towards achieving the set goals. Hence, certain leadership actions are conducive for boosting the performance of the relevant stakeholders and personnel in any project undertaking of which will, in turn, contribute to timeous project delivery. This paper aims to investigate the critical leadership style actions essential for the enhancement of personnel performance in the South African construction industry. The primary and secondary research data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The survey was conducted in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Respondents were construction professionals selected using heterogeneity and convenience sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 software. Mean values and standard deviation were computed, and the ranks of the outputs were established. Findings from the study revealed that by giving proper instructions and clarifying procedures jobs are completed on time. Additionally, the involvement of team members in decision-making helps build trust and facilitates a good relationship in the work environment. Furthermore, the study revealed that recognizing personnel contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence is vital for optimum performance. Other notable findings include the provision of necessary resources while letting them do the work, and the ability to make quick decisions. The study findings add to literature particularly on certain style actions to be adopted which will aid effective leadership in construction project delivery in South Africa.

scholarly journals Drivers Of Customer Loyalty In South African Retail Stores

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 1295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengedzai Mafini ◽  
Manilall Dhurup
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Customer Loyalty ◽  
Current View ◽  
Store Image ◽  
Retail Stores ◽  
Shopping Malls ◽  
The South ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
The Social ◽  
African Context

There remains a need to provide empirically derived and updated information on the influence of store image factors on both the satisfaction as well as the loyalty of customers that is specifically customised to the South African context. This study examined the relationship between store image factors, store satisfaction and customer loyalty in the South African retail environment. The study tests a conceptual framework which links five store image factors; namely, sales assistance, store atmospherics, store appeal, promotion and store accessibility to store satisfaction and customer loyalty. A four section structured questionnaire was administered to a conveniently drawn sample of 489 apparel shoppers. Participants were recruited at three shopping malls located in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Packages for the social Sciences (Version 21.0). Spearman correlations showed negative to weak correlations between the factors and store satisfaction. Regression analysis revealed that promotion and store appeal were statistically significant in predicting store satisfaction. Store satisfaction was positively associated and significantly predicted customer loyalty. The findings of the study can be used by managers in retail stores to develop a current view of the shopping behaviour of todays consumers. This enables them to initiate and implement appropriate marketing strategies in their retail stores.

Policy Design for Non-anthropocentric Pathways to Protect Biodiversity and Re-generate the Land

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Judy McIntyre-Mills
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Vocational Education And Training ◽  
African Renaissance ◽  
The Social ◽  
Policy Suggestions ◽  
Sentient Beings ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
And Training

This article is a thinking exercise to re-imagine some of the principles of a transformational vocational education and training (VET) approach underpinned by participatory democracy and governance, and is drawn from a longer work on an ABC of the principles that could be considered when discussing ways to transform VET for South African learners and teachers. The purpose of this article is to scope out the social, cultural, political, economic and environmental context of VET and to suggest some of the possible ingredients to inspire co-created design. Thus the article is just a set of ideas for possible consideration and as such it makes policy suggestions based on many ways of knowing rooted in a respect for self, others (including sentient beings) and the environment on which we depend. The notion of African Renaissance characterises the mission of a VET approach in South Africa that is accountable to this generation of living systems and the next.

scholarly journals Transference of Citizen Science Program Impacts: A Theory Grounded in Public Participation in Scientific Research

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 339
Author(s):  
Louise I. Lynch-O’Brien ◽  
Wayne A. Babchuk ◽  
Jenny M. Dauer ◽  
Tiffany Heng-Moss ◽  
Doug Golick
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Social Process ◽  
Informal Science Education ◽  
Constructivist Grounded Theory ◽  
Science Program ◽  
Program Leaders ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
Added Benefit

Citizen science is known for increasing the geographic, spatial, and temporal scale from which scientists can gather data. It is championed for its potential to provide experiential learning opportunities to the public. Documentation of educational outcomes and benefits for citizen scientists continues to grow. This study proposes an added benefit of these collaborations: the transference of program impacts to individuals outside of the program. The experiences of fifteen citizen scientists in entomology citizen science programs were analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory methodology. We propose the substantive-level theory of transference to describe the social process by which the educational and attitudinal impacts intended by program leaders for the program participants are filtered by citizen scientists and transferred to others. This process involves individual and external phases, each with associated actions. Transference occurred in participants who had maintained a long-term interest in nature, joined a citizen science program, shared science knowledge and experiences, acquired an expert role to others, and influenced change in others. Transference has implications for how citizen scientists are perceived by professional communities, understanding of the broader impacts and contributions of citizen science to wicked problems, program evaluation, and the design of these programs as informal science education opportunities.

Norfolk’s “Model Prison Community”: Howard Belding Gill and the Social Process of Prison Reform

2021 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-146
Author(s):  
Matthew DelSesto
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Social Process ◽  
Prison Reform ◽  
Criminal Justice Reform ◽  
Spatial Design ◽  
The Social ◽  
Public Consciousness ◽  
Prison Community ◽  
The Relationship

This article explores the social process of criminal justice reform, from Howard Belding Gill’s 1927 appointment as the first superintendent of the Norfolk Prison Colony to his dramatic State House hearing and dismissal in 1934. In order to understand the social and spatial design of Norfolk’s “model prison community,” this article reviews Gills’ tenure as superintendent through administrative documents, newspaper reports, and his writings on criminal justice reform. Particular attention is given to the relationship between correctional administration and public consciousness. Concluding insights are offered on the possible lessons from Norfolk Prison Colony for contemporary reform efforts.

scholarly journals Calcium isotopic patterns in enamel reflect different nursing behaviors among South African early hominins

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. eaax3250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Théo Tacail ◽  
Jeremy E. Martin ◽  
Florent Arnaud-Godet ◽  
J. Francis Thackeray ◽  
Thure E. Cerling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
South African ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Tooth Enamel ◽  
Biological Evolution ◽  
Milk Consumption ◽  
Interbirth Interval ◽  
Australopithecus Africanus ◽  
The Social ◽  
Life Behavior

Nursing is pivotal in the social and biological evolution of hominins, but to date, early-life behavior among hominin lineages is a matter of debate. The calcium isotopic compositions (δ44/42Ca) of tooth enamel can provide dietary information on this period. Here, we measure the δ44/42Ca values in spatially located microsized regions in tooth enamel of 37 South African hominins to reconstruct early-life dietary-specific variability in Australopithecus africanus, Paranthropus robustus, and early Homo. Very low δ44/42Ca values (<−1.4‰), indicative of milk consumption, are measured in early Homo but not in A. africanus and P. robustus. In these latter taxa, transitional or adult nonmilk foods must have been provided in substantial quantities relative to breast milk rapidly after birth. The results suggest that early Homo have continued a predominantly breast milk–based nursing period for longer than A. africanus and P. robustus and have consequently more prolonged interbirth interval.

De Viaje: Elite Views of Modernity and the Porfirian Railway Boom

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Upper Class ◽  
Cultural Changes ◽  
Process Of Change ◽  
The Social

This study examines representations of the railroad in art, poetry, and literature printed in publications targeting middle- and upper-class audiences. It uses these sources to investigate how elite groups viewed the process of change spurred by the rapid modernization that defined the Porfiriato. It argues that the elite used this literature and art to define themselves as modern citizens and diffuse ideas about the benefits of progress, the success of the regime, and the ways civilized individuals should behave. It also shows that these groups shared anxieties about the social and cultural changes spurred by modernization.

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