Interpersonal conflict - handling styles used in public and private sector organisations: a comparative study.

The objective of this study was to determine and compare by means of an empirical study whether there exists a significant difference in the handling of interpersonal conflict between two totally different organisations. The study made use of the Rahim Organisational Conflict Inventory – ROC-II instrument to determine the extent of usage of five conflict handling styles by employees of an agricultural company and a local authority. Results indicated that a significant difference exists in usage of the various handling styles between respondents and their superiors as well as respondents and their peers. The obliging style and integrating styles were used the most and the dominating style was used the least in both organisations. Significant differences were also recorded with regard to sex, age and qualifications and the usage of different conflict handling styles. These results have definite implications for managing conflict in organisations

On the conditional distribution of the mean of the two closest among a set of three observations

Chemical analyses of raw materials are often repeated in duplicate or triplicate. The assay values obtained are then combined using a predetermined formula to obtain an estimate of the true value of the material of interest. When duplicate observations are obtained, their average typically serves as an estimate of the true value. On the other hand, the "best of three" method involves taking three measurements and using the average of the two closest ones as estimate of the true value. In this paper, we consider another method which potentially involves three measurements. Initially two measurements are obtained and if their difference is sufficiently small, their average is taken as estimate of the true value. However, if the difference is too large then a third independent measurement is obtained. The estimator is then defined as the average between the third observation and the one among the first two which is closest to it. Our focus in the paper is the conditional distribution of the estimate in cases where the initial difference is too large. We find that the conditional distributions are markedly different under the assumption of a normal distribution and a Laplace distribution.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

On the conditional distribution of the mean of the two closest among a set of three observations

Chemical analyses of raw materials are often repeated in duplicate or triplicate. The assay values obtained are then combined using a predetermined formula to obtain an estimate of the true value of the material of interest. When duplicate observations are obtained, their average typically serves as an estimate of the true value. On the other hand, the "best of three" method involves taking three measurements and using the average of the two closest ones as estimate of the true value. In this paper, we consider another method which potentially involves three measurements. Initially two measurements are obtained and if their difference is sufficiently small, their average is taken as estimate of the true value. However, if the difference is too large then a third independent measurement is obtained. The estimator is then defined as the average between the third observation and the one among the first two which is closest to it. Our focus in the paper is the conditional distribution of the estimate in cases where the initial difference is too large. We find that the conditional distributions are markedly different under the assumption of a normal distribution and a Laplace distribution

C–H activation: A critical evaluation of a published method and its application towards inherently chiral calix[4]arenes

C–Hactivation offers an intriguing access into inherently chiral calix[4]arenes, but has been little explored in the literature. In this article, we report our investigation into a published C–H activation method that uses carbamates to direct a palladium catalyzed C–Hactivation and subsequent reaction withN-bromosuccinimide. However,we show that this report is unfortunately flawed on a number of points. An earlier reported study revealed the more likely SEAr mechanism of the bromination reaction, which did not involve palladium catalysis. We nevertheless employed the SEAr bromination in an attempt to form inherently chiral calix[4]arenes, using a chiral (+)-menthyl carbamate as a directing group. Unfortunately, although the reaction was high yielding, the diastereomers formed were inseparable and we were unable to quantify their ratio. Subsequent removal of the chiral (+)-menthyl carbamate, returned a small positive optical rotation, suggesting that at least a level of asymmetric induction was achieved in the bromination to afford a non-racemic product

Developing a national cadre of effective leadership towards sustainable quality service delivery in South Africa

The application of the three (3) dimensional leadership competency model has the likelihood of having a positive impact on a sustainable developmental local governance framework. The purpose of the study was to explore the relevance of the Three (3) dimensional leadership competency model so as to suggest leadership traits that can be used in the enhancement of a developmental local governance framework. The lack of leadership with the requisite competencies and capabilities in the local government system has been the source of corruption and maladministration, and therefore necessitates an intervention in the development of leadership competencies. The research design, approach and method focuses primarily a qualitative approach, namely face-to-face in-depth interviews using a structured interview schedule triangulated through the review of published documents and publications. The findings show that significant progress has been achieved in many areas of the ideal of a developmental local governance framework, yet the lack of a value-based cadre of leaders is reversing the gains that have been achieved in the last 15 years of the ANC rule. Managerial competencies that are key components of leadership limit the acceleration of a developmental governance framework. This study indicates the relevance of the Three (3) dimensional leadership competency model in the enhancement of a developmental local governance framework, and has suggested key elements of leadership traits within the context of what can be used to achieve the objects of a developmental local governance framework

A redescription of Lipoptena binocula (Speiser 1908) (Hippoboscidae: Diptera), with notes on its biology and comparisons with the other two flies of this genus in South Africa

The external morphology of the adult and puparium of Lipoptena binocula are described by means of scanning electron microscopy and the morphological characteristics are compared with those of Lipoptena paradoxa and Lipoptena annalizeae. The geographic distributions and hosts of the 3 flies are also discussed.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.National Museum, Bloemfontein.mn201

A new species of Lipoptena (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) from southern Africa

A new species of Lipoptena Nitzsch, 1818 was found on springbok Antidorcas marsupialis Zimmerman, 1780 in the Cape Province and the Orange Free State, South Africa. The flies, for which the name Lipoptena annalizeae is proposed, can be differentiated from the closely related Lipoptena sepiacea Speiser, 1905 on size, palps, chaetotaxy, pulvilli, and the shape of the posterior genital plates of the males. The morphology of the puparium of the new species is also described and compared with that of the puparia of Lipoptena paradoxa Newstead, 1907 and Lipoptena binocula (Speiser, 1908). A revised key to the southern African species and a summary of host records and distributional information is also presented.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.mn201

'n Didakties-pedagogiese analise van die doel van die onderrig van aardrykskunde in die primêre skool

Bibliography: p. 453-480.Soos in die titel van die verhandeling aangekondig word, is hierdie ondersoek toegespits op tweërlei aspekte: enersyds die doelstelling van die onderrig van Aardrykskunde in die primêre skool, en andersyds 'n didaktiespedagogiese analise van sodanige doelstelling. So 'n omlyning van die navorsingsveld sou miskien vaag aandoen indien daar nie op 'n verantwoordbare wyse rekening gehou word met sekere fundamentele konsepte of begrippe wat in die titel weerspieël word nie. Daarom wil ons spesifiek die volgende uitsonder en meer volledig belig: didakties-pedagogies, doelstelling, onderrig, Aardrykskunde en primêre skool

Fostering Research Integrity through Institutional Policies: The Case of a Selected Institution of Higher Education1

Truth, trust and integrity are essential to research at higher education institutions. These institutions have accordingly adopted several policies tofoster research integrity. This article explores the likelihood that relevant policies at a selected institution of higher education foster research integrity. The qualitative, single exploratory case study commences with a review of scholarly literature and results in a conceptual model used for a directed content analysis of relevant institutional policies. The findings indicate that these policies do complement each other in fostering research integrity. Further research will be necessary to establish whether policies indeed contribute to responsible researcher conduct