The challenge of consciousness with special reference to the exclusive disjunction

The theory of evolution makes sense of the emergence of consciousness. Reduction is not wrong as such, but must not be totalised. The fact that we are star stuff does not preclude the novelty of consciousness. Materialism is naturalism, but naturalism need not be materialism. Neural pathways are relevant but are not the total picture. The central thesis is about David Chalmers’s philosophy being based on an exclusive disjunction. An inclusive disjunction is, when explained, more appropriate. Functionalism is appropriate. Thomas Nagel’s philosophy on first person ontology can still be maintained. Quantum and complexity theories’ hypothesis on consciousness is more compatible with freedom of decision than classical theories.http://www.hts.org.za/am201

Designing success : describing a collaborative clothing design Process between apprentice designers and expert design entrepreneurs

Abstract: This paper describes a collaborative clothing design process applied at an incubation hub that supports and develops apprentice clothing designers who aspire to launch their own entrepreneurial ventures. A specific range, which was designed during a design process, had to be showcased at an international fashion week and then sold to consumers in a local specialty store. A case study research design was implemented to describe the collaborative design process between apprentice and expert designers. Qualitative research methods were used in this study, namely observation and semi-structured interviews. Findings suggest that collective creativity resulted from the collaboration between the designers and apprentice designers who worked in teams. Collective creativity proved to be beneficial to the apprentice designers as well as the expert designers. The particular benefits of collaboration and collective creativity for apprentice designers during the specific clothing design process pertain to fluency and flexibility, whereas the benefits for expert designers were in the novelty of ideas presented by apprentice designers. Other benefits from a business perspective relate to the expectations of apprentice designers about the design process for a specific target market and the stimulation of creativity during problem-solving, which are important in a business or entrepreneurial context. Recommendations regarding the application of the design process at a creative incubation hub are provided

Towards an agricultural entrepreneurship development model : an empirical investigation in Namibia’s agricultural communities

PURPOSE : Entrepreneurship is increasingly being recognised as a vehicle for bringing about the development of different economic sectors in various geographical regions, and it is believed to result in greater productivity and entrepreneurial performance in agriculture. To date, there are no empirically verified holistic models focussing on the development of agricultural entrepreneurship in an African context. This study aims to fill this gap by developing an agricultural entrepreneurial development model (AEDM) that provides a basis for enhancing entrepreneurial performance in the agriculture sector. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH : First, a holistic conceptual AEDM was built from the extant literature with a focus on the African context and encompassing dimension of the enabling environment, entrepreneurial performance and its outcomes. Then, the model was tested empirically by conducting a survey with 477 farmers in Namibia who benefit from Namibia’s National Resettlement Programme and the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme. The model was tested statistically using partial least square-structural equation modelling. FINDINGS : The results reveal that a supportive environment, entrepreneurial orientation and agricultural sustainability exert a positive impact on entrepreneurial performance in agriculture, which, in turn, leads to greater agricultural productivity and increased income for farmers. ORIGINALITY/VALUE : The study theoretically develops and empirically tests a holistic model of agricultural entrepreneurship development. The value of the model lies in its consideration of a plethora of enabling-environment antecedents of entrepreneurial performance in agriculture, as well as some specific organisational- and individual-level outcomes thereof. Therefore, it offers policymakers and practitioners a blueprint for developing agricultural entrepreneurship in an African context.hj2021Business Managemen

The influence of entrepreneurial bricolage and design thinking on opportunity development

Background: Entrepreneurial activity in an efficiency-driven economy is fundamental to economic growth, yet its sustainability and opportunities are concerning. Both entrepreneurial bricolage and design thinking could enhance opportunity development, but their effectiveness and incorporation into an integrated approach to opportunity advancement require further investigation. Aim: This study explores design thinking and entrepreneurial bricolage as facilitating constructs for entrepreneurial opportunity development, employing the design-centred entrepreneurship perspective and the conceptual framework offered by various authors; it investigates the effectiveness of the theoretical frameworks mentioned; and lastly it explores the potential of amalgamating these frameworks into a more comprehensive structure for entrepreneurial opportunity development. Setting: The sample consisted of entrepreneurs in South Africa. Methods: Fourteen semi-structured interviews with founders of small and medium entrepreneurial ventures in various South African industry sectors were conducted. Results: Current frameworks pertaining to bricolage and design thinking proficiencies were appropriate for opportunity development and could be effectively integrated. However, some contributory factors should be included, such as organisational culture, business partners and a non-linear rather than a methodical approach. Conclusion: Entrepreneurial bricolage has a significant influence on developing and establishing opportunities. The value of design thinking was confirmed with a specific focus on a human-centred approach, creativity and innovation. However, contradictory to design thinking authors, entrepreneurs described the design thinking process as non-linear and disordered. Contribution: This study provides empirical evidence to enrich the understanding of the elusive entrepreneurial opportunity development process by integrating the design-centred entrepreneurship framework with the entrepreneurial bricolage perspective into a single, more comprehensive framework

The influence of entrepreneurial bricolage and design thinking on opportunity development

DATA AVAILABITY STATEMENT: Data are available upon request from the corresponding author, C.M. Joynt. It is held securely in the repository of the university and is only accessible by the researchers involved in the study.BACKGROUND: Entrepreneurial activity in an efficiency-driven economy is fundamental to economic growth, yet its sustainability and opportunities are concerning. Both entrepreneurial bricolage and design thinking could enhance opportunity development, but their effectiveness and incorporation into an integrated approach to opportunity advancement require further investigation. AIM: This study explores design thinking and entrepreneurial bricolage as facilitating constructs for entrepreneurial opportunity development, employing the design-centred entrepreneurship perspective and the conceptual framework offered by various authors; it investigates the effectiveness of the theoretical frameworks mentioned; and lastly it explores the potential of amalgamating these frameworks into a more comprehensive structure for entrepreneurial opportunity development. SETTING: The sample consisted of entrepreneurs in South Africa. METHODS: Fourteen semi-structured interviews with founders of small and medium entrepreneurial ventures in various South African industry sectors were conducted. RESULTS: Current frameworks pertaining to bricolage and design thinking proficiencies were appropriate for opportunity development and could be effectively integrated. However, some contributory factors should be included, such as organisational culture, business partners and a non-linear rather than a methodical approach. CONCLUSION: Entrepreneurial bricolage has a significant influence on developing and establishing opportunities. The value of design thinking was confirmed with a specific focus on a human-centred approach, creativity and innovation. However, contradictory to design thinking authors, entrepreneurs described the design thinking process as non-linear and disordered. CONTRIBUTION: This study provides empirical evidence to enrich the understanding of the elusive entrepreneurial opportunity development process by integrating the design-centred entrepreneurship framework with the entrepreneurial bricolage perspective into a single, more comprehensive framework.https://sajesbm.co.za/index.php/sajesbmAccountingGordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructur

A critical analysis of social innovation : a qualitative exploration of a religious organisation

New challenges are constantly emerging in the social sector in South Africa. Various social (non-profit) organisations are developing new and innovative ways to accommodate these challenges and to meet social needs. The aim of this research article is to measure the current social innovation capacity of the Dutch Reformed Church (DR Church), with reference to innovation capabilities, to determine at what level the church is meeting new social needs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from six different congregations and a governing body in the Pretoria area, South Africa, was included. Twelve participants were interviewed between August and October 2017. The participants, consisting of ministers and board members, each held a management position. The social innovation capacity measurement of the DR Church showed that the organisation was successfully developing new ways to serve as a social agent in society. There are obstacles that prohibit the DR Church from developing new innovative ways to meet the social needs of its society, for example, entrepreneurial, developmental and leadership change capacities. Recommendations are made to maximise social innovation capacity of the managers (ministers and board members).http://www.hts.org.zaam2019Business Managemen

Student Success at the University of Pretoria, 2009-2019: A Systemic, Intentional and Data-Informed Strategy

Preface: In essence, the publication provides an exposé of the evolution of an increasingly complex and comprehensive student success strategy developed by a South African university (viz the University of Pretoria). The problem facing the University in 2009 was common across the higher education sector in South Africa: the phenomenon of student success. This publication is a case study or series of case studies of how the University of Pretoria intentionally integrated its student support and development programmes between 2009 and 2019, and how it innovated and improved the holistic programme over the decade. The outcome was a gradual increase in the student success rate as measured by both module pass percentage (defined as the number of students who passed v the number who enrolled for the module) and minimum time to completion of individual cohorts (‘cohort’ defined as a group of first-time entering students followed through to graduation). The chapter reflects on contextualised approaches to student success initiatives that are similar to those found at other institutions, nationally and internationally. Using case studies shows how initiatives develop over time within a unique context, as well as challenges and successes. This publication has both a descriptive and exploratory approach in its case studies. Existing but siloed initiatives within the University were uncovered, interrogated, improved and integrated into a broader programme between 2009 and 2019. The cases might provide some insights into the phenomenon of student success that other South African institutions could contextualise

Extra terrestrial intelligence : escape in fantasy or greatest challenge to philosophy and theology ever?

The concept of extra-terrestrial intelligence was first mooted by philosophers like Aristotle and Lucretius as well as natural scientists like Huygens and Whewell. It is considered whether UFO reports rather than indicating something real provide a symptom of the current religious cultural situation in Europe. Should rational life elsewhere in the universe be real, it is argued that biological life would be a neccessary condition. The divergence and convergence hypotheses are examined. The fundamental prerequisite is the existence of other solar systems with planets other than our own. Insights from biology and astronomy are placed in the context of philosophical discourse.Spine cut of Journal binding and pages scanned on flatbed EPSON Expression 10000 XL; 400dpi; text/lineart - black and white - stored to Tiff Derivation: Abbyy Fine Reader v.9 work with PNG-format (black and white); Photoshop CS3; Adobe Acrobat v.9 Web display format PDFhttp://explore.up.ac.za/record=b1001341wm201

Relativism as an epistemological problem

Relativism is examined as it manifests itself in two phases. Both regard the contextuality of culture as normative. The second and post-modern phase deconstructs the normative epistemological role of the world and situates normativity completely in the community. This is the crux of the current relativist debate. Rorty's view on dualism is examined. It is concluded that relativism's equation of objectivity with objectivism is untenable and that certainty alone is insufficient to guarantee reliable knowledge. Positive insights of the second relativist phase are the non-algorithmic and unforced agreement of scientists. The total divergence and asymmetry thesis is incompatible with the universality of logic and other theoretical values. Relativism does not sufficiently account for the success and progress of science

Sufficient conditions for extraterrestrial intelligence : philosophical and theological considerations

Sufficient conditions would include confirmation of extraterrestrial intelligence. Accordingly the SETI-projects of NASA and some universities are explained and examined. The possibility of UFO's is taken into account and evidence evaluated. In respect of philosophical considerations, the validity of inductive strategies is investigated as well as epistemological problems relating of rational communication. Theological considerations bring to the fore the imago Dei problem. It is concluded that in the light of both neccessary and sufficient conditions the issue no longer is of a scientific fiction nature but is on a firm scientific path.Spine cut of Journal binding and pages scanned on flatbed EPSON Expression 10000 XL; 400dpi; text/lineart - black and white - stored to Tiff Derivation: Abbyy Fine Reader v.9 work with PNG-format (black and white); Photoshop CS3; Adobe Acrobat v.9 Web display format PDFhttp://explore.up.ac.za/record=b1001341wm201