BEE informed: a diagnosis of black economic empowerment and its role in the political economy of South Africa

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology Department of Sociology University of the Witwatersrand June 2015The study investigates the South African phenomenon called black economic empowerment (BEE). Drawing on the historical record and theories in the fields of public policy, institution theory, and political economy, the roots of BEE are traced to the late apartheid era where it is shown to have emerged as an institutional response to events taking place in the transition to democracy. The study then tracks the development of the institution in the post-­‐1994 era as it expanded through the medium of formal policymaking processes. Whereas BEE is widely presented as an initiative of the ANC government, the study draws on public policy theory to demonstrate how it has largely been driven by organisations outside of government. Further, that the character of the various BEE policies has reflected a situation of inadequate economic growth, combined with changes in the pattern of power relations in the post-­‐apartheid era. While the study supports the need for interventions by the state to effect change in the economic order, it finds that BEE policies have been badly designed and implemented and have had little positive developmental impact. Moreover, with government coming under increasing pressure to deliver on its promise of ‘A Better Life for All’, amid wholly inadequate levels of economic growth, BEE policy is increasingly being used as a vehicle for the redistribution of rents rather than the creation thereof

Uniting Interests: The Economic Functions of Marriage in America, 1750-1860

This dissertation, Uniting Interests: Money, Property, and Marriage in America, 1750-1860, examines how marriage was an essential economic transaction that responded to the development of capitalism in early America. Drawing on scholarship on the history of economic development, household organization, law, and gender, I argue that families actively distributed resources at marriage as part of larger wealth management strategies that were sensitive to regional and national economic growth. I focus particularly on women\u27s property holding and how families deployed the legal protection of women\u27s property as bulwarks against financial disaster. This project restores the family and women to the narrative of capitalistic development, breaking down the fictive divide between public and private economies. Early chapters explore how families planned for wealth distribution when children married and the strategies they employed to attract financially suitable partners. Subsequent chapters explore how some couples negotiated or rejected protection for married women\u27s property, how individuals mobilized kinship networks created by marriage to their advantage, and the balance related families struck between financial assistance and self-interest. The final chapters explore how property was central to families\u27 responses to married women\u27s distress and to suspicions of female infidelity. In so doing, I demonstrate that the economic functions of marriage fundamentally shaped American families and relationships throughout the eighteenth and well into the nineteenth century. Despite regional differences in social and economic development, the legal structure of marriage was widely shared and remarkably durable. I argue that even progressive developments in marriage law and practice were often motivated more by the desire for financial security than by concerns for female independence. More broadly, this project reveals how sexual inequality in early American was in large part created and maintained through the laws and practices of marriage

The role of skills: from worklessness to sustainable employment with progression : UK Commission for Employment and Skills Evidence Report no. 38

This study is shaped by the recognition that while there has been a great deal of policy development around the transition from unemployment and inactivity to employment over the last decade, policy can still be informed about how best to nurture sustainable employment for those at risk of labour market exclusion. There remain challenges associated with, for example, the cost-effectiveness of intervention, the „low pay no pay‟ cycle and access to training. As a consequence, the opportunities for sustainable progression, upward social mobility and alleviating poverty remain unrealised for many workers in lower paid occupations. The methodology underpinning this study is predominantly based on a literature search and review of the research and evidence base post 2005. This is supplemented with the development of four international case studies (Australia, Denmark, Germany, United States contained in a separate annex) and an e-consultation with country experts

The role of skills from worklessness to sustainable employment with progression

This study is shaped by the recognition that while there has been a great deal of policy development around the transition from unemployment and inactivity to employment over the last decade, policy has not been sufficiently informed about how best to nurture sustainable employment for those at risk of labour market exclusion. The review focused on evidence from 2005: it provides a review of data, UK and international literature and, incorporates findings from four international case studies ( Australia, Germany, Denmark and the United States. The report provides an overview of the economic context for low pay and low skilled work and highlights the need for a continuing commitment to promoting opportunities in the labour market as a means of progression and alleviating poverty and encouraging social mobility. The report argues that there is an inextricable link between skills and ‘better jobs’. The authors conclude that a long-term view is required to decide how best to support someone at the point of worklessness: to address employability barriers in the short-term; and prepare the individual to retain, and progress in, employment. The concept of career is explored as a framework for progression: a combination of career guidance, a career / personal development plan and career management skills are identified as tools to raise aspiration and enable individual’s to take action once they are in work to support their own progression. Thinking about the workplace, the report reviews the evidence on the role of job design, line management and progression pathways in facilitating workplace learning as a route to progression

Economic risk analysis of the emerald ash borer on the Thunder Bay campus of Lakehead University

In addition to their beauty, these trees contribute valuable ecosystem services. As of June 2016 the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle from Asia, has been found in Thunder Bay and has the potential to kill every ash tree in the city. In order to determine the economic risk the University is facing, an analysis was completed to determine the value and annual contributions of the ornamental ash on Thunder Bay campus. Three methods: the LEAF benefits calculator, the National Tree Benefits Calculator (NTBC), and the i-Tree My Tree benefits calculator were used to estimate the annual contributions from the trees. Values of the trees were also calculated using the basic method. The cost of removal, replacement, and treatment with TreeAzin was determined with the help of a local arborist. Once all factors were calculated, an economic risk analysis was completed to determine the best plan of action for management of ash trees and the emerald ash borer. The only scenario which yielded positive benefits was the 100% treatment according to the NTBC. Therefore, it makes economic sense to save the ash trees on campus

What\u27s Trending in Infection Control? Scoping and Narrative Reviews

Objective. To explore the trends in infection control peer-reviewed journals, mainstream media, and blogs written by infection control professionals Design. Narrative and scoping reviews methods. Narrative and scoping reviews were performed to identify trending infection prevention and control topics from international journals, national news websites, newspapers, and so-called grey literature throughout 2015. Data were analysed using word frequencies and results are displayed in word clouds. Results. For 2015, our search identified 6 news websites with a total of published 116 articles, 71 articles from selected newspapers, and 214 publications from infection control websites. In total, 1,059 journal articles were initially identified; 98 articles were anonymous and thus were excluded, leaving 961 articles in the reviews. The terms ‘superbug’ and ‘antibiotics’ were most commonly used in titles of news websites and newspapers, whereas the terms ‘infection’ and ‘prevention’ were most commonly used in infection control websites or blogs. The word frequency differences among the 4 selected journals reflected their respective specialties. Conclusion. In infection prevention and control, the integration of a range of mediums is necessary to best serve public interests. Whether the aim is advocacy, general health information dissemination, or warnings of imminent risk, health researchers have access to multiple forums with different strengths through which to influence public risk perceptions and responses