Developing a competency model for head of departments at tertiary education institutions in South Africa

The increase in complexity of the Tertiary Education landscape has increased the pressure to perform. This forces employees on all management levels within Tertiary Education institutions to be highly competent and efficient. Excellent academic leadership is needed from all levels of management to reach strategic goals and to build the local and international profile of the university. The objectives of this study are firstly to determine which competencies are needed by Heads of Departments / Directors of Schools at South African Universities, and secondly to develop a proposed competency profile for Heads of Departments / Directors of Schools in Tertiary Education institutions in South Africa. Research design - A quantitative research approach adopting an explorative design was used and the data was collected via convenience sampling by way of an online questionnaire. Heads of Departments and School Directors completed the questionnaire (n = 37). Data from the questionnaire was analysed using descriptive statistics, t-tests and ANOVAs. The results of the descriptive statistics revealed that respondents considered the most relevant competency to have is Integrity, which falls within the Ethic and Values subscale. Leadership / Management Competencies as well as competencies from the Enabling Competencies subscale were identified as the 41st most relevant competencies. Functional competencies (Quality Assurance) only score from the 42nd place on the ranking order list. In a theoretical domain this study will prepare the ground for future studies, specifically those for developing training and development modules that will help to address the competencies that are lacking. In a practical domain this study will help universities to appoint more qualified Heads of Departments / School Directors and therefore establish a stronger and more efficient management structure to help the university to achieve strategic objectives

Comprehensive political risk assessment of South Africa

South Africa is classified as a middle-income state with ample supply of resources, a well-developed communication, financial, energy, legal and transport sector, and a stock exchange ranked among the top twenty-five in the world. The risk factors that arise in South Africa’s external environment, such as contracted economic growth in the Eurozone and the consequences of quantitative easing in the USA (the potential outflow of capital from developing markets), are indicators of instability to the economy, but over which the country has minimal jurisdiction. Internal risks have been on the rise in the form of an inflationary current account deficit, declining mining and manufacturing outputs, coupled with escalating corruption in the public and private sectors. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive political risk assessment of South Africa based on 12 identified risk indicators. Research for this paper includes various articles, risk reports and wide ranging factual research. South Africa is measured as a medium to moderate risk state

Physical activity and quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia

Background: Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) has been linked to decreased social functioning, poor mental health, and quality of life (QOL). Increased physical functioning and activity can result in improvements in social, mental and overall health, as well as lowered depression and anxiety levels. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine physical activity levels and QOL amongst patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia in the Johannesburg region of South Africa. Methods: The research design was cross-sectional. Descriptive and quantitative data were collected. FMS patients (n=38) completed an online questionnaire on the Google Forms platform. The questionnaire was comprised of four components, namely Demographics, the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). During data analysis, descriptive characteristics and correlations were computed. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Results revealed high FIQR scores (67%) accompanied with low QOL scores (<50% in all domains). There was no correlation between physical activity and FIQR, and physical activity and QOL. Conclusion: High scores on the impact of FMS were associated with lower overall QOL scores. However, the relationship between physical activity, and the impact of FMS and QOL remain inconclusive.

The quantification of risk and tourism

Abstract Tourism in South Africa comprises 9.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but remains an underresearched industry, especially regarding the quantification of the risks prevailing in the social, political and economic environment in which the industry operates. Risk prediction, extrapolation forecasting is conducted largely in the context of a qualitative methodology. This article reflects on the quantification of social constructs as variables of risk in the tourism industry with reference to South Africa. The theory and methodology of quantification is briefly reviewed and the indicators of risk are conceptualized and operationalized. The identified indicators are scaled in indices for purposes of quantification. Risk assessments and the quantification of constructs rely heavily on the experienceoften personal -of the researcher and this scholarly endeavour is, therefore, not inclusive of all possible identified indicators of risk. It is accepted that tourism in South Africa is an industry comprising of a large diversity of sectors, each with a different set of risk indicators and risk profiles. The emphasis of this article is thus on the methodology to be applied to a risk profile. A secondary endeavour is to provide for clarity about the conceptual and operational confines of risk in general, as well as how quantified risk relates to the tourism industry. The indices provided include both domesticand international risk indicators. The motivation for the article is to encourage a greater emphasis on quantitative research in our efforts to understand and manage a risk profile for the tourist industry

Evolutionary algorithms for robot path planning, task allocation and collision avoidance in an automated warehouse

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2022.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research with regard to path planning, task allocation and collision avoidance is important for improving the field of warehouse automation. The dissertation addresses the topic of routing warehouse picking and binning robots. The purpose of this dissertation is to develop a single objective and multi-objective algorithm framework that can sequence products to be picked or binned, allocate the products to robots and optimise the routing through the warehouse. The sequence of the picking and binning tasks ultimately determines the total time for picking and binning all of the parts. The objectives of the algorithm framework are to minimise the total time for travelling as well as the total time idling, given the number of robots available to perform the picking and binning functions. The algorithm framework incorporates collision avoidance since the aisle width does not allow two robots to pass each other. The routing problem sets the foundation for solving the sequencing and allocation problem. The best heuristic from the routing problem is used as the strategy for routing the robots in the sequencing and allocation problem. The routing heuristics used to test the framework in this dissertation include the return heuristic, the s-shape heuristic, the midpoint heuristic and the largest gap heuristic. The metaheuristic solution strategies for single objective part sequencing and allocating problem include the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA-ES) algorithm, the genetic algorithm (GA), the guaranteed convergence particle swarm optimisation (GCPSO) algorithm, and the self-adaptive differential evolution algorithm with neighbourhood search (SaNSDE). The evolutionary multi-objective algorithms considered in this dissertation are the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm III (NSGA-III), the multi-objective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEAD), the multiple objective particle swarm optimisation (MOPSO), and the multi-objective covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (MO-CMA-ES). Solving the robot routing problem showed that the return routing heuristic outperformed the s-shape, largest gap and midpoint heuristics with a significant margin. The return heuristic was thus used for solving the routing of robots in the part sequencing and allocation problem. The framework was able to create feasible real-world solutions for the part sequencing and allocation problem. The results from the single objective problem showed that the CMA-ES algorithm outperformed the other metaheuristics on the part sequencing and allocation problem. The second best performing metaheuristic was the SaNSDE. The GA was the third best metaheuristic and the worst performing metaheuristic was the GCPSO. The multi-objective framework was able to produce feasible trade-off solutions and MOPSO was shown to be the best EMO algorithm to use for accuracy. If a large spread and number of Pareto solutions are the most important concern, MOEAD should be used. The research contributions include the incorporation of collision avoidance in the robot routing problem when using single and multi-objective algorithms as solution strategies. This dissertation contributes to the research relating to the performance of metaheuristics and evolutionary multi-objective algorithms on routing, sequencing, and allocation problems. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this dissertation is the first where these four metaheuristics and evolutionary multi-objective algorithms have been tested for solving the robot picking and binning problem, given that all collisions must be avoided. It is also the first time that this specific variation of the part sequencing and allocation problem has been solved using metaheuristics and evolutionary multi-objective algorithms, taking into account that all collisions must be avoided.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsing in verband met roete beplanning, part allokasie en botsing vermyding is belangrik vir die bevordering van die pakhuis automatisering veld. Die verhandeling handel oor die onderwerp van parte wat gestoor en gehaal moet word en die verkillende parte moet ook gealokeer word aan ’n spesifieke robot. Die doel van hierdie verhandeling is om ’n enkele doelwit en ’n multidoelwit algoritme raamwerk te ontwikkel wat parte in ’n volgorde rangskik en ook die parte aan ’n robot alokeer. Die roete wat die robot moet volg deur die pakhuis moet ook geoptimeer word om die minste tyd te verg. Die volgorde van die parte bepaal uiteindelik die totale tyd wat dit neem vir die robot om al die parte te stoor en te gaan haal. Die doelwitte van die algoritme raamwerk is om die totale reistyd en die totale ledige tyd te minimeer, gegewe die aantal beskikbare robotte in die sisteem om die stoor en gaan haal funksies uit te voer. Die algoritme raamwerk bevat botsingsvermyding, aangesien die gangbreedte van die pakhuis nie toelaat dat twee robotte mekaar kan verbygaan nie. Die roete probleem lˆe die grondslag vir die oplossing van die volgorde en allokerings probleem. Die beste heuristiek vir die roete probleem word verder gebruik in die volgorde en allokerings probleem. Die verskillende roete heuristieke wat in hierdie verhandeling oorweeg was, sluit in die terugkeer heuristiek, die s-vorm heuristiek, die middelpunt heuristiek en die grootste gaping heuristiek. Die metaheuristieke vir die volgorde en allokerings probleem sluit die volgende algoritmes in: die kovariansie matriks aanpassing evolusie algoritme (CMA-ES), die genetiese algoritme (GA), die gewaarborgde konvergerende deeltjie swermoptimerings (GCPSO) algoritme, en laastens die selfaanpassende differensi¨ele evolusie algoritme met die teenwoordigheid van buurtsoek (SaNSDE). Die evolusionêre multidoelwit algoritmes wat oorweeg was vir die volgorde en allokerings probleem sluit die volgende algoritmes in: die multidoelwit kovariansie matriks aanpassing evolusie algoritme (MO-CMA-ES), die nie-dominerende sortering genetiese algoritme III (NSGA-III), die multidoelwit evolusionˆere algoritme gebaseer op ontbinding (MOEAD) en laastens die multidoelwit deeltjie swermoptimering algoritme (MOPSO) Oplossings van die robot roete probleem het gewys dat die terugkeer heuristiek die s-vorm, grootste gaping en middelpunt heuristiek met ’n beduidende marge oortref het. Die terugkeer heuristiek is dus gebruik vir die oplossing van die roete beplanning van robotte in die volgorde en allokasie probleem. Die raamwerk was doeltreffend en die resultate het getoon, vir die enkel doelwit probleem, dat die CMA-ES algoritme beter gevaar het as die ander metaheuristieke vir die volgorde en allokasie probleem. Die SaNSDE was die naas beste presterende metaheuristiek. Die GA was die derde beste metaheuristiek, en die metaheuristiek wat die slegste gevaar het, was die GCPSO. Vir die multidoelwit probleem het die MOPSO die beste gevaar, as akkuraatheid die belangrikste doelwit is. As ’n grootter verskeidenheid die belangrikste is, is die MOEAD meer geskik om ’n oplossing te vind. Die navorsingsbydraes sluit in dat vermyding van botsings in ag geneem word in die robot roete probleem. Hierdie verhandeling dra by tot die navorsing oor die oplossing van roete beplanning, volgorde en allokasie probleme met metaheuristieke. Na die beste van die outeur se kennis is hierdie die eerste keer dat al vier metaheuristieke getoets was om die robot stoor-en-gaan haal probleem op te los, onder die kondisie dat alle botsings vermy moet word. Dit is ook die eerste keer dat hierdie spesifieke variant, enkel-en-multidoelwit probleem van die volgorde en allokasie van parte met behulp van metaheuristieke en multidoelwit evolusionˆere algoritmes opgelos was, met die inagneming dat alle botsings vermy moet word.Doctora

Enforcement and dispute resolution mechanisms in terms of the Companies Act 71 of 2008

LL.M. (Corporate Law)Abstract: The objective of our company law reform was to align our company laws with its international counterparts with an emphasis on the enforcement of the act, corporate governance and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms which enables parties to resolve disputes effectively but in a more informal and speedily manner. The act introduced the following regulators, The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, the Take Over Regulation Panel and the only new regulator, the Companies Tribunal. The commission and panel’s core function is to enforce the act. The commission and panel have at their disposal the newly introduced administrative measures and civil sanction penalties to enable them to enforce the act. The criminal sanctions have been retained to focus on the specific and general contraventions of the act. The class action is a new introduction in South Africa’s company law. The parties have easier access through the mechanism to enforce a right or resolve a dispute through public or private enforcement. The tribunal’s primary function is in the area of dispute resolution. The tribunal not only adjudicates disputes but facilitates the alternative dispute resolution process as contemplated in the act. The alternative measures, the dispute resolution and the alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in the act enable parties’ easier access to redress mechanisms to enforce an individual right or resolve a dispute through public or private enforcement. The study will analyse the enforcement and dispute resolution mechanisms in the act. It will focus on and analyse the functions and jurisdiction of the regulators and their individual jurisdiction in enforcement, dispute resolution and alternative dispute resolution. The newly established Commercial High Court and its functions will also be considered. The study will through an analysis of the act consider whether the enforcement mechanisms provide for the effective enforcement of the act, the rights of parties and whether the dispute resolution and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (ADR) provide stakeholders with proper redress. An analysis of the provisions in the act will also identify whether there are areas of improvement in the enforcement and dispute resolution that may be considered by the Legislature. Selected provisions in the act which deal with enforcement, dispute resolution and alternative resolution will be analysed to determine whether they are in line with the Constitution

The quantification of risk and tourism

Tourism in South Africa comprises 9.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but remains an underresearched industry, especially regarding the quantification of the risks prevailing in the social, political and economic environment in which the industry operates. Risk prediction, extrapolation forecasting is conducted largely in the context of a qualitative methodology. This article reflects on the quantification of social constructs as variables of risk in the tourism industry with reference to South Africa. The theory and methodology of quantification is briefly reviewed and the indicators of risk are conceptualized and operationalized. The identified indicators are scaled in indices for purposes of quantification. Risk assessments and the quantification of constructs rely heavily on the experience - often personal - of the researcher and this scholarly endeavour is, therefore, not inclusive of all possible identified indicators of risk. It is accepted that tourism in South Africa is an industry comprising of a large diversity of sectors, each with a different set of risk indicators and risk profiles. The emphasis of this article is thus on the methodology to be applied to a risk profile. A secondary endeavour is to provide for clarity about the conceptual and operational confines of risk in general, as well as how quantified risk relates to the tourism industry. The indices provided include both domestic and international risk indicators. The motivation for the article is to encourage a greater emphasis on quantitative research in our efforts to understand and manage a risk profile for the tourist industry

Public policy uncertainty, regime contests and divestment : the case of South Africa

Public policy uncertainty has become as destructive and inhibiting to developing political economies seeking entrance into the new, information-driven international political economy as uncivil contests between the state and society had been in the aftermath of decolonisation. The notion of a weak state persists as well as the doggedness of authoritarian urges in the guise of dispersed power politics beyond the distributive interests of the liberal-democratic experiments. This article reflects on the contest between two dominant, but contending regime preferences; the information-age-driven (market) political economy versus the distributive interests of systemic patronage. The latter might well infuse a degree of legitimacy in times of inadequate extraction, but could also be the reason for divesting in the economy and the policy uncertainty which precedes the low economic growth trajectories since 2009. The conclusion is that depending on which of these two regime preferences prevail over the other in the milieu of rapid transformation within the international (political and economic) regime South Africa’s prospect for social stability can be mapped.hb2016School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA