scholarly journals Private retirement resorts in South Africa: Guidelines for wellness and sustainability in the long term.

Author(s):  
Andries C. Hauptfleisch

Unsubsidised private retirement resorts in South Africa developed during the last three decades present residents with many challenges. There is no existing generally accepted knowledge base or guidelines to serve this sensitive market. The research objective was to establish which elements are experienced by residents of retirement resorts as satisfactory and which as problematic. A literature study was also undertaken. Quantitative as well as qualitative data were obtained by means of structured questionnaires, interviews and a seminar. The results reported pertain to eight resorts in the east of Pretoria, four in Bloemfontein and two in Knysna. The study is currently being extended to other centres. The quantitative data is arranged in order of the priorities set by the biggest group (Pretoria), with the other groups in comparison. So the research was based on the sourcing of quantitative and qualitative data, as well as on descriptive evaluations. The results offer insightful knowledge and guidelines towards establishing an optimal profile for the development of long-term sustainable private retirement resorts. The implications and value of this study are that both developers of retirement resorts and prospective residents are provided with guidelines to better equip them to evaluate a specific retirement resort with regard to the sustainable well- being of residents long-term.

Author(s):  
Suparmi Suparmi

This study aims to obtain a clear picture of the effects of supervision which consists of routine supervision, individual supervision, and monitoring of the administration of Papua Province.The type of data used is qualitative data and quantitative data. Primary and secondary data is the source of the data used. Data collection techniques used are field data and literature study data. The study was conducted using qualitative analysis techniques and quantitative analysis consisting of research instrument tests, standard assumption tests, and multiple regression analysis.The results showed that the routine supervision variable partially had a significant influence on the administration of the Papua Province. While the special supervision and partial monitoring variables do not have a significant effect on the administration of the Papua Province. Variables of routine supervision, individual supervision, and simultaneous monitoring have a significant influence on the administration of Papua Province.The routine supervision variable is the most dominant factor influencing the administration of Papua Province.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2349
Author(s):  
Heather Clements ◽  
Stephanie Valentin ◽  
Nicholas Jenkins ◽  
Jean Rankin ◽  
Nancy R. Gee ◽  
...  

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, countries worldwide placed limitations on social interaction, which is anticipated to have severe psychological consequences. Although findings are inconsistent, prior research has suggested that companion animals may positively influence human well-being and reduce loneliness. In the context of COVID-19, this has important implications, as companion animal guardians may be less negatively affected by the pandemic. The primary aim of this research was to investigate the influence of companion animals on mental well-being and loneliness during the pandemic, with specific interest in the role of ornamental fishes. A mixed-methods study was conducted, using an international sample. Quantitative data were collected via an online survey (n = 1199) and analysed using robust hierarchical multiple regression analyses; the influence of level of engagement with companion animals was examined for dogs, cats and ornamental fishes. There was no evidence that companion animal guardianship was associated with loneliness and mental well-being during the pandemic but spending more time engaging physically or socially with dogs (and to a lesser extent cats) was generally associated with poorer outcomes. Qualitative data were collected through open-ended survey responses (n = 757) and semi-structured interviews (n = 25) and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Two themes were developed—one related to companion animals as providers of social and emotional support, and the other to companion animals as providers of purpose and perspective. Concerns regarding the impact of the pandemic on animal welfare were also identified. Compared to other animal types, more participants expressed indifference regarding the impact of their fishes on their well-being during the pandemic, possibly because fishes cannot provide comfort via physical touch. The findings of this study reflect the wider field of human–animal interaction; although qualitative data suggest guardians believe their companion animals are a positive influence in their lives, there is little convincing quantitative data to support these beliefs. This highlights the need to refine theories regarding which aspects of companion animal guardianship may influence human well-being; the findings from this research may be useful in the refinement of such theories.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097226292110541
Author(s):  
Monica Singhania ◽  
Neha Saini

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria mean investment in economic choices which, without interference with the environment, are intended to promote long-term economic and social well-being. Due to high environmental and social awareness, customers expect companies to devote time and efforts to such sustainable practices. This attitude has led to an overall rise in ESG disclosures and reporting instruments globally with a focus on influence of ESG disclosures on financial performance of companies. Many European countries have already introduced mandatory disclosure of non-financial information. This transition from voluntary to mandatory motivated other countries to adopt mandatory ESG disclosure practices for sustainable development. The practice of reporting non-financial disclosures has been rising due to several reasons, such as increasing visibility, informing customers, avoiding the risk associated with firm performance and achieving sustainability. Countries in the early stages of ESG disclosure need to understand the benchmark practices used by countries with a well-developed ESG system. For preparing the ESG disclosure index and benchmarking based on disclosure score, this study considers a set of developed and developing countries with their ESG disclosures. On the basis of ESG disclosures, the countries have been classified into four different categories. We found Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Belgium and France, to have high ESG scores and have been classified as Countries with Well-Developed ESG Framework. Germany, Italy, USA, Australia, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Brazil and South Africa have medium to high ESG scores and fall under the category Rapidly improving ESG framework. While Singapore, India, China, Philippines, Malaysia and Argentina are categorized as countries with ESG framework at developing stage, Russia, Indonesia, Thailand, Nigeria and Vietnam are classified as Countries with early-stage framework due to low ESG scores.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrick Simpeh ◽  
Mariam Akinlolu

Purpose Security, safety, environment and health have become an integral part of facility management (FM). Therefore, FM departments within organisations are required to put measures in place to safeguard facility users. This paper thus aims to investigate and compare the safety and security measures that are provided in the student housing of two universities in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach A mixed method approach was adopted; interview was used to collect qualitative data, whereas a questionnaire was used as an instrument to collect quantitative data. Content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data, whereas both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data. Findings It became evident that university B had a better provision of safety and security measures in the student housing than university A. The study also found that both universities had some lapses in the safety and security measures provided in the student housing. Measures that were lacking in both universities were weapon detector, closed-circuit television (CCTV), water sprinkler system, burglar bars on the doors, lift for disabled students, disabled toilet facility, traffic light, tags for vehicles, first aid box, accident book and medically trained personnel. Research limitations/implications Data were collected from only two universities, making it difficult to generalise the findings of the research. For a broader perspective, a study that expands the number of participating universities is recommended. Practical implications The facility management and safety department in the universities can use the recommendations to improve on the safety and security measures required in the student housing. Moreover, the recommendations can contribute to the development of policy frameworks for student housing safety. Originality/value There is a paucity of studies on student housing safety/security worldwide, and South Africa in particular. With this study, the authors contribute to the body of knowledge in this area of research.


2020 ◽  
pp. 002087281988118
Author(s):  
Gaurav R Sinha ◽  
Lissette M Piedra

Social work has historically engaged in pioneering interventions to improve the financial well-being of people. India is an interesting case as it has the highest number of unbanked people on one side and numerous policy interventions on the other. Using systematic review and Gioia methodology, we analyzed 24 years of financial inclusion policies. Our analysis revealed that the efficacy of policies was impeded by flawed designs, as the policymakers preferred ‘quick fixes’ over long-term solutions. Our study highlights the need for learning from the past and organizing complex information in a way that helps policymakers in taking informed policy design decisions.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Mc Neill ◽  
Laura Mary Campbell ◽  
CP Blanchard

Background: This paper presents an overview of support offered to a hospital information committee by a Hospital Information Committee Support Project (HICSP) in a rural area of South Africa. A specific focus is on the support required at various stages of the project, which was underpinned by Change Theory: any change in practice should be an on-going, phased process (pre-contemplation, contemplation and action). Additionally, change must be seen as having some benefit. Methods: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods evaluation was conducted to determine whether the project had met its aims and to explore participants’ experiences. Quantitative data included: number of meetings held, number of workshops held to develop templates, number of templates developed and in use, and number of action plans developed and implemented. Qualitative data included participants` views of the HICSP. In relation to Change Theory, data was analysed to summarise the type of support required during various stages of the HICSP. Results: Quantitative data revealed that the aims of the HICSP were met. In accordance with Change Theory, support must be regularly provided and must be on-going over a relatively prolonged period of time. Qualitative data illustrated that, generally, the support given was considered to be appropriate and participants continued to collect, analyse, use and monitor data and information on completion of the HICSP. Discussion and conclusions: The need for the strategic use of data at a local level to inform decision making and action is unquestionable. The study demonstrates that in an isolated, rural area an information committee can, in accordance with the stages of Change Theory, be supported and empowered so that hospital and nursing managers can confidently use data in a way that is locally meaningful and responsive.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 123-137
Author(s):  
Alfred Bimha

There is a pertinent concern over the continued lending to companies that are still pursuing projects that increase the amount of carbon emissions in the atmosphere. South Africa has most of its energy generation being done through coal thermal powered turbines. More so there are a number of new power stations being built in South Africa that are coal powered. Coal on the other hand is deemed as having the highest amount of carbon that contributes to the greenhouse effect which in turn affects the climate leading to climate change consequences. There is also a growing concern on the uptake of renewable energy initiatives by companies that are deemed carbon intensive. Banks are being castigated for not using their economic transformation role to champion the agenda of combating climate change caused by carbon emissions. In this study, the extent of lending in the short and long term to carbon intensive companies by South African banks is examined. Using a sample of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange top 100 companies that participate in Carbon Disclosure Project, an analysis is done through four carbon metrics –carbon intensity, carbon dependency, carbon exposure, carbon risk. The analysis used public information from the banks’ websites, South African Reserve Bank reports and other public databases that contain sustainability information of the JSE100 companies. The analysis was done by comparing the carbon metrics of the recognized seven (7) sectorial industry catergories (SIC) on the JSE, mainly Energy & Materials, Industrials, Consumer Staples, Consumer Discretionary, Financials, IT & Telecoms and Health Care. The major finding of the research is that there is a high carbon risk in short term loans compared to long term loans across the JSE100 companies that are analysed. More so, the Energy & Materials sector seem to have the highest carbon risk compared to the other sectors.


Author(s):  
Anita Triastuti

This study aimed to assess pre-service teachers’ knowledge base of teaching and the extent they perceive and reflect its implementation in a microteaching course. Employing mixed-methods design, the study involved pre-service teachers in a state university in Special Territory of Yogyakarta. The quantitative data were collected from a test on the pre-service teachers’ understanding of teacher knowledge base of teaching and a survey of their perceptions towards the implementation of teacher knowledge base of teaching in their microteaching practices. The qualitative data were gathered from the pre-service teachers’ reflections. The findings showed that despite the overall good test score average of the pre-service teachers’ knowledge base of teaching and the generally positive self-rating perceptions, the pre-service teachers’ limited and descriptive reflections did not sufficiently depict their actual implementation of teacher knowledge base of teaching in their microteaching practices.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
İlknur Özal Göncü

The aim of this study is to identify the thoughts and behaviors of parents in motivating their children aged 4-6 for music, and for a hobby or profession related to music.While collecting the qualitative data for the study, literature review model has been used. For the collection of the quantitative data, on the other hand, a questionnaire has been applied to the parents of children. Collected data has been processed on SPSS and displayed in tables consisting of frequency (n) and percentage (%) values.Population of the research consists of the parents of children enrolled to the preschools affiliated to the official primary schools of Ministry of Education, located in the center of Ankara. The sample of the research, on the other hand, consists of 150 parents of children aged 4-6, who were enrolled to a total of 10 official preschool education institutions in the 2017-2018 school year, affiliated to the Ministry of Education and located in in the center of Ankara. The sample group has been determined through random sampling method. Findings of the study mainly reveal that; even though the parents encourage their children to listen to music, sing and engage in music most of the time, they do not want their children to choose a profession related to this field.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 48-62
Author(s):  
Katja Vilhunen ◽  
Sinikka Hannele Pöllänen ◽  
Harri Pitkäniemi

The purpose of this study was to describe the reasons for knitting blogging and the importance of blogging for the bloggers’ crafting. A multiphase mixed-methods study focusing on quantitative research methods was the methodological basis. Therefore, the study included both sequential and simultaneous investigation paths. In this study, the quantitative data were collected from the same group of Finnish knitting bloggers by two online surveys in 2008 (N= 501) and in 2013 (N= 212). The quantitative data focused on time-related changes in blogging, whereas the qualitative data, collected by essays (N=50) during 2013-2014, was used to explain the quantitative data. In quantitative analysis, the key features of reasons for knitting blogging were analysed by principal component analysis. The differences in the principal components for the background groups between the surveys were elucidated by means of 2-way analysis of variance. The qualitative data were analysed by data-driven content analysis. The results indicated that there were several reasons for knitting blogging. According to the results, the elements of knitting blogging were: 1) inspiration and materialization, 2) connecting and community support, 3) encouragement and 4) reflection and reminiscence. Knitting blogging has reshaped crafting by combining the material and tactile process of knitting with digital practices of life-streaming and with participatory activities in networked spaces. It appeared that knitting and blogging complemented each other, and that blogging supported development of the blogger’s crafting into a serious leisure activity with meaningful long-term activities and clear goals. Keywords: digital practices, knitting blog, leisure, mixed methods design, online communities


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