The impact of companies overlooking organisational culture when partnering with outsourced service providers

An organisation‟s primary purpose is to be profitable as well as having the ability to sustain that profitability in a sometimes volatile environment. When businesses are able to achieve this they may have the ability to always be a step ahead of their competitors. It is therefore critical to structure an organisation in such a way that yields positive results. Outsourcing a part of a business is not new phenomenon and is practised by a number of organisations. Outsourcing is a strategy that business undertake in order to cost save, for better performance and quality as well as having a higher degree flexibility. However organisations fail to consider a critical factor when outsourcing which is organisational culture. A strong culture in the organisation is often intangible and this would keep competitors guessing why the organisation is so profitable. When highlighting culture as one of the most critical factors prior to embarking on outsourcing may ensure a smoother integration and transition between the parent organisation and the outsourced partner. The purpose of this study is to assist organisations to consider organisational culture as one of the most critical factors prior to embarking on outsourcing. This will enable the organisation to understand the compatibility of the two companies which will ultimately determine the success or failure of the business. The aim is to investigate the impact of organisational culture on organisational performance, leadership, employee performance and organisational culture as a source of competitive advantage. An empirical study conducted in the literature produced a sample size of 63 employees from a multinational firm in the Eastern Cape region. The data assists in understanding if there is a culture or not and how it has impacted on the performance of the organisation. The main findings and recommendations to management are presented in the study should companies embark on outsourcing initiatives they need to consider organisational culture as one of the critical factors in order to ensure that they are successful for decades to come

Nanoparticulate of silver-modified poly (8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulphonic acid) nanobiosensor systems for the determination of Tuberculosis treatment drugs

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDThis study firstly reports the development and characterization of PVP-AgNPs, PANSA and PVPAgNPs/ PANSA nanocomposite on gold. AFM and TEM analyses revealed highly electroactive nanocomposites whose morphogy and properties were essential for the immobilization of CYP2E1. Secondly, the development and characterization of Au/PVPAgNPs/ PANSA/CYP2E1, Au/PVP-AgNPs/PANSA/SA-CYP2E1 and Au/PVPAgNPs/ PANSA/EG-CYP2E1 nanobiosensors are reported. AFM studies displayed globular morphologies with large roughness for the enzyme modified electrodes as opposed to those electrodes without enzymes. Finally, the biotransformation of standard solutions of TB drugs (isoniazid, ethambutol, pyrazinamide and rifampicin) in pH 7.4, 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution is reported. The biotransformations of the TB drugs were successfully studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), differential voltammetry (DPV) and steady state amperometry under aerobic conditions. Very good detection limits were obtained for the standard solutions of TB drugs and were found to be in the micromolar range. The detection limit values for the individual TB drugs were 0.55 μM (isoniazid), 0.7 μM (ethambutol), 0.054 μM (pyrazinamide) and 0.05 μM (rifampicin). The detection limit results showed that the nanobiosensors were more sensitive and suitable for the determination of the respective drugs in plasma and serum.South Afric

Electrochemical dynamics of cytochrome P450 (2D6) biosensors for selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Magister Scientiae - MScSelective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a new class of antidepressants used mainly for the treatment of depression and other forms of related disorders. There are a number of side effects associated with these drugs which include loss of weight, sexual dysfunction, nervousness and nausea. A fast and reliable detection method such as biosensing for the determination of the SSRIs metabolic profile is therefore essential for the appropriate dosing of these drugs. Biosensors for the determination of the SSRIs biotransformation were prepared with cytochrome P450 (2D6) isoenzyme and poly (anilinonapthalene sulfonic acid) film electrochemically deposited on gold.South Afric

Investigating isiXhosa language literacy Practices in the foundation phase: an ethnographic case study in the Western Cape

Magister Artium - MAThis study investigated language literacy practices of Grade 3 teachers and learners in the Foundation Phase where isiXhosa was used as a medium of instruction. It explored the extent to which the instructional practices enhanced or hindered literacy development in the Grade 3 classroom in one school located in a disadvantaged area in the Western Cape. This study followed a qualitative ethnographic case study design. Qualitative data collection techniques, namely, classroom observations, interviews and document analysis were used to collect data for this study. The findings of this study indicate that there are many pedagogical or instructional challenges that tend to impede learners’ literacy development. The use of resources is also a concern with regard literacy instruction. The study concludes that literacy instruction or pedagogy determines literacy practices, regardless of the language used for learning and teaching

Electrochemical immunosensor based on polythionine/gold nanoparticles for the determination of Aflatoxin B1

An aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) electrochemical immunosensor was developed by the immobilisation of aflatoxin B1-bovine serum albumin (AFB1-BSA) conjugate on a polythionine (PTH)/gold nanoparticles (AuNP)-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The surface of the AFB1-BSA conjugate was covered with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), in order to prevent non-specific binding of the immunosensors with ions in the test solution. The AFB1 immunosensor exhibited a quasi-reversible electrochemistry as indicated by a cyclic voltammetric (CV) peak separation (ΔEp) value of 62 mV. The experimental procedure for the detection of AFB1 involved the setting up of a competition between free AFB1 and the immobilised AFB1-BSA conjugate for the binding sites of free anti-aflatoxin B1 (anti-AFB1) antibody. The immunosensor’s differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) responses (peak currents) decreased as the concentration of free AFB1 increased within a dynamic linear range (DLR) of 0.6 - 2.4 ng/mL AFB1 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.07 ng/mL AFB1. This immunosensing procedure eliminates the need for enzyme-labeled secondary antibodies normally used in conventional ELISA–based immunosensors

Determination of Anthracene on Ag-Au Alloy Nanoparticles/Overoxidized-Polypyrrole Composite Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes

A novel electrochemical sensor for the detection of anthracene was prepared by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with over-oxidized polypyrrole (PPyox) and Ag-Au (1:3) bimetallic nanoparticles (Ag-AuNPs). The composite electrode (PPyox/Ag-AuNPs/GCE) was prepared by potentiodynamic polymerization of pyrrole on GCE followed by its overoxidation in 0.1 M NaOH. Ag-Au bimetallic nanoparticles were chemically prepared by the reduction of AgNO3 and HAuCl4 using C6H5O7Na3 as the reducing agent as well as the capping agent and then immobilized on the surface of the PPyox/GCE. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy technique which confirmed the homogeneous formation of the bimetallic alloy nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the synthesized bimetallic nanoparticles were in the range of 20–50 nm. The electrochemical behaviour of anthracene at the PPyox/Ag-AuNPs/GCE with Ag: Au atomic ratio 25:75 (1:3) exhibited a higher electrocatalytic effect compared to that observed when GCE was modified with each constituent of the composite (i.e., PPyox, Ag-AuNPs) and bare GCE. A linear relationship between anodic current and anthracene concentration was attained over the range of 3.0 × 10−6 to 3.56 × 10−4 M with a detection limit of 1.69 × 10−7 M. The proposed method was simple, less time consuming and showed a high sensitivity

Ab initio calculations of optical properties of silver clusters: cross-over from molecular to nanoscale behavior

Electronic and optical properties of silver clusters were calculated using two different \textit{ab initio} approaches: 1) based on all-electron full-potential linearized-augmented plane-wave method and 2) local basis function pseudopotential approach. Agreement is found between the two methods for small and intermediate sized clusters for which the former method is limited due to its all-electron formulation. The latter, due to non-periodic boundary conditions, is the more natural approach to simulate small clusters. The effect of cluster size is then explored using the local basis function approach. We find that as the cluster size increases, the electronic structure undergoes a transition from molecular behavior to nanoparticle behavior at a cluster size of 140 atoms (diameter $\sim 1.7$\,nm). Above this cluster size the step-like electronic structure, evident as several features in the imaginary part of the polarizability of all clusters smaller than Ag$_\mathrm{147}$, gives way to a dominant plasmon peak localized at wavelengths 350\,nm$\le\lambda\le$ 600\,nm. It is, thus, at this length-scale that the conduction electrons' collective oscillations that are responsible for plasmonic resonances begin to dominate the opto-electronic properties of silver nanoclusters

A situation analysis of the competitive schools based cricket coaching programmes at u/19 level in the Gauteng province

M.Phil. (Sport Management)The purpose of this study was to investigate the management of cricket coaching programmes at u/19 level in the Gauteng Province. Specifically, this study attempted to determine the current situation regarding management of coaching programmes and the delivery of in-school driven programmes in the province. Data was collected from schools offering cricket as a sport from both the Gauteng Lions and Northerns Cricket Union franchises. There were 10 schools in the Northerns franchise and 14 first-team players from these schools were selected as respondents. There were 10 schools in the Gauteng Lions franchise and 14 first-team players from these schools were selected as respondents. The managers and coaches were selected to respond to a questionnaire as their portfolios make them the foremost sources of information regarding programmes, and they could locate records containing relevant information. Executive committee members from the boards of Gauteng Lions and Northerns Cricket Union were also questionnaire respondents as their primary role is the implementation of policies. Chairpersons of the high schools committees were also respondents and an official from Cricket South Africa (CSA) participated. A total of 324 (n=324) questionnaires were distributed 162 (n=162) to the Gauteng Lions franchise and 162 (n=162) to the Northerns franchise. One questionnaire was sent to CSA, making a grand total of 325 (n=325) questionnaires. From the 162 questionnaires submitted to Northerns, only 111 (n=111) respondents returned their questionnaires; these 111 participants comprised of white (n=70), black (n=25), coloured (n=10), indians (n=2) and chinese (n=4). From the 162 questionnaires submitted to the Gauteng Lions franchise (162), the 96 respondents who returned their questionnaires were white (n=44), black (n=30), coloured (n=12), indians (n=9) and 1 chinese (n=1). The results revealed that the majority of players involved in u/19 programmes come from the white population group. The results revealed that the Gauteng Lions participate in inter-provincial weeks with a very small number of players that have caps at u/19 level (5.2%) and this reduces their chances of being selected to represent the SA u/19 team. Both franchises indicated financial challenges, but the Gauteng Lions have even bigger challenges ..

Gelatin-Based Hybrid Scaffolds: Promising Wound Dressings

Wound care is a major biomedical field that is challenging due to the delayed wound healing process. Some factors are responsible for delayed wound healing such as malnutrition, poor oxygen flow, smoking, diseases (such as diabetes and cancer), microbial infections, etc. The currently used wound dressings suffer from various limitations, including poor antimicrobial activity, etc. Wound dressings that are formulated from biopolymers (e.g., cellulose, chitin, gelatin, chitosan, etc.) demonstrate interesting properties, such as good biocompatibility, non-toxicity, biodegradability, and attractive antimicrobial activity. Although biopolymer-based wound dressings display the aforementioned excellent features, they possess poor mechanical properties. Gelatin, a biopolymer has excellent biocompatibility, hemostatic property, reduced cytotoxicity, low antigenicity, and promotes cellular attachment and growth. However, it suffers from poor mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity. It is crosslinked with other polymers to enhance its mechanical properties. Furthermore, the incorporation of antimicrobial agents into gelatin-based wound dressings enhance their antimicrobial activity in vitro and in vivo. This review is focused on the development of hybrid wound dressings from a combination of gelatin and other polymers with good biological, mechanical, and physicochemical features which are appropriate for ideal wound dressings. Gelatin-based wound dressings are promising scaffolds for the treatment of infected, exuding, and bleeding wounds. This review article reports gelatin-based wound dressings which were developed between 2016 and 2021