Determinants of youth unemployment in Aganang Municipality, Limpopo Province

Employment is one of the most significant determinants of the welfare of any nation. Any significant changes in employment (i.e. increase/decrease) will subsequently affect the wellbeing of the household. The unemployment rates in South Africa are among the highest in the world, currently standing at 25.2 per cent (i.e. by the narrow definition of unemployment) based on figures released by Statistics South Africa. Limpopo tends to have the highest proportion of rural dwellers in the South Africa, hence it is expected that socioeconomic conditions in the province are inferior to the national average; with the consequence of a high youth unemployment rate. This study seeks to find the determinants of youth unemployment in the Aganang municipality of the Limpopo province using census 2011, complemented by QLFs 2007-2010. This study used the same approach that Kyei and Gyekye followed by employing Regression, Principal, Component and Cluster analyses. Three variables, gender, training and education were categorised into twelve as independent variables. The study concluded that in the Aganang municipality, no education (that is no schooling or primary schooling) particularly for females, caused the level of Youth unemployment to rise, while a bachelor's degree and / or training, brought about a reduction in Youth unemployment

Developing and validating measurement items for a multi-dimensional social network site usage construct

SNS platforms are providing simultaneously for hedonic and utilitarian type uses. However, extant research continues to model the SNS usage construct as a simplistic unidimensional construct that fails to adequately reflect the multi-dimensional nature of SNS usage in workplace contexts. This paper contributes by presenting results of a multi-phase process used to develop and validate measures of the deep structure SNS usage construct from both hedonic and utilitarian perspectives. Psychometric tests were conducted using 124 usable responses, and the results show that deep structure usage is best modelled as a reflective second order construct with three first order dimensions reflecting hedonic use, utilitarian use, and cognitive absorption. The multi-dimensional deep usage SNS usage construct will be of interest to researchers examining SNS usage in the workplace and its implications for workplace outcomes. Implications for practice, including SNS design and usage policy, are also described

Risks and motivation in the use of social network sites: an empirical study of university students

DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF COMMERCE IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO THE FACULTY OF COMMERCE, LAW AND MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG FEBRUARY 2015Social Network Sites (SNS) such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Piniterest and Google+ have made it easy for youth to communicate, produce and share information. Using SNS has become a daily activity for many youth and young adults around the world, including South Africa. The use of SNS by youth may be motivated by needs for safety, belonging, self-esteem and self-actualization, and others such as enjoyment. Yet, the use of SNS by youth may also carry a number of risks. They include risks to violations of privacy, social and psychological risks that may harm the user’s self-image, as well as time and financial risks resulting from excessive SNS usage. The purpose of this study is to understand the tension between risks and motivation in the use of SNS by university students. To do so, this study developed an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Multi-dimensional risk and motivation constructs were examined for their interactions with TAM constructs of perceived ease of use and perceive usefulness and their effects on SNS usage intentions and actual usage were examined. To test the model, a non-probability convenience sampling method was adopted using students from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Five hundred and fifteen students participated in the study. The ages ranged between 18 and 34 years, 26% males and 74% females took part in the study, and included students from 1st year through to 4th year undergraduate or Honours level. Facebook was found to be the most used SNS. Approximately 80% of respondents reported accessing SNS on their mobile phones and 66% reported being always connected. More than 25% of respondents were actively using SNS for more than 3 hours a day, with 35% using less than one hour per day. Interestingly, only 35% reported having public profiles although 10% did not know whether their profiles were public or private, and nearly 40% of respondents knew less than half the “friends” they were connected to on SNS Partial least squares approach to structured equation modelling was used to test the hypothesised research model. Results showed that motivation influences perceived usefulness (β=0.239, p<0.001) and perceived ease of use (β=0.319, p<0.001) positively. The results suggest that when motivations such as enjoyment and need to belong are high, SNS will be perceived as useful and easy to use. Risk was found to have a negative influence on perceived usefulness (β=-0.0764, p<0.05) and perceived ease of use (β=-0.3265, p<0.001). The results show that when risks are considered high, users are likely to increase their vigilance and consequently will report SNS as less easy to use. Moreover, as a result of risk users may find the SNS less useful. Perceived usefulness (β=0.295, p<0.001) influences intention to use SNS positively. This suggests that when SNS is useful to users, they will have intentions to use it. Intention to use SNS is also influenced by perceived ease of use (β=0.0396, p<0.01). An easy to use SNS will make users want to use it, as opposed to one considered more complex and requiring more effort. Motivation (β=0.281, p<0.001) was found to have more of an effect than risk (β=-0.071, p<0.05) on intentions to use. Respondents thus appear to recognize some risks associated with SNS use, but they appear to be driven more by motivations and less by risk avoidance when deciding on SNS usage. The study will have implications for researchers, SNS providers and users. The results of the study have implications for how researchers conceptualize risk and motivation. The study shows how different dimensions of risk and dimensions of motivation affect the overall risk and overall motivation construct respectively. Currently SNS providers may not have deep understanding of the risks which hinder the use of SNS and motivations which drive the use of SNS. Providers will be better informed to design SNS that are less risky and where possible mitigate the risks. Results also show that SNS providers should not only mitigate risks but also provide online social networks that better fulfil motivational needs of youth. Users will be aware of different risks they are exposing themselves to by using SNS. Since users will be aware of the different types of risks, they can be vigilante when using SNS.MT201

The Effects of Intrinsic, Extrinsic, Hedonic, and Utilitarian Motivations on IS Usage: An Updated Meta-analytic Investigation

This study reports on a meta-analytic investigation of the effects of intrinsic, extrinsic, hedonic and utilitarian motivations on IS system usage. The study extends the work of Wu and Lu (2013) and considers the effects of 16 motivations on usage, behavioural intention, perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU). 73 studies published between 2009 and 2016 met the inclusion criteria. Bare bones and true score correlations were calculated and moderation analysis was performed. Curiosity has the strongest effects on behavioural intention while social interaction has the strongest effects on usage. Results also show that enjoyment and playfulness motivations have stronger effects on behavioural intention in hedonic system contexts, and reward motivation has stronger effects on utilitarian systems usage. The application of motivation theory to adoption and use of information systems together with synthesis of empirical data may provide new insights in system usage behaviou

The challenge experienced by orphans and child-headed families in Top Village, Mafikeng, North West Province

Thesis (MPhil) -- Stellenbosch University,2008.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The question, Is our political and religious leaders doing enough to deal with this problem of orphans and child-headed families in our country? However, in the North West province the intervention of NGO’s such as Tsibogang Christian Action Group which was founded in 2002 with its headquarters in Lomanyaneng, Mafikeng play an important role in assisting orphans and child-headed families. Tsibogang is interdenominational organization, operating in the area of the Central District (Ngaka Molema District Municipalities) of the North West Province. The newest project of Tsibogang Christian Action Group is Godisang Orphan Care Project. It runs a computerized data base with more than 1000 orphans and vulnerable children. They visit various homes in the villages, taking orphans and child- headed families to Home Affairs to be registered for birth certificates, and assist those who are older to apply for Identity documents and also start to apply for child social grants. There are currently 12,1million AIDS orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa alone equating to 80% of the Worlds Children who have been orphaned by AIDS. This is too much for any society to cope with in traditional ways, let alone a society eroded by AIDS (http://www.orphansknowmore.com/the-statistics). However, the problem continues to grow, by the year 2010 UNAIDS (2004) predicts orphan population in excess of 25million in Sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa there are 1.2million AIDS Orphans in 2005, (www.avert.org/aids orphans.htm) and 83 000 child-headed household.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die vraag, “Doen ons politieke en religieuse leiers genoeg om met die problem van weeskinders en families met kinders as hoof van die huishouding in ons land?” In die Noordwes Provinsie het die tussenbeidetreding van die NRO’s soos bv, die Tsibogang Christelike Aksiegroep, welke gestig was in 2002 met sy hoofkantoor in Lomanyaneng, Mafikeng, ‘n belangrike rol gespeel in die bystand van weeskinders en waar kinders as hoof van ‘n huishouding staan. Tsibogang is ‘n interkerklike organisasie, welke opereer in die Sentrale Distrik (Ngaka Modiri Molema Distrik Munisipaliteit) van die Noord-wes Provinsie. Die nuutste projek van Tsibogang Christelike Aksiegroep is “Godisang Wees Sorg Projek”. Dit bestuur ‘n gerekenaariseerde databasis met meer as 1000 wees-en kwesbare kinders. Die organisasie besoek verkillende huis in die “statte”, neem weeskinders en die kinders wie as hoof staan van huishouding na die Departement van Binnelandse Sake om geregistreer te word vir geboortesertifikaate, en staan ook daardie ouer persone by wie aansoek wil doen vir identiteitdokumente as ook vir kinderwelsyn toelae. Daar is tans 12.1 miljoen Vigs weeskinders in Sub-Sahara Afrika alleen welke gelyk is aan 80% van die wereldse kinders wie wees gelaat is deur VIGS. Dit op sigself is te veel vir enige gemeenskap om meet e handel met ‘n tradisionele uitgangspunt, wat nog van ‘n gemeenskap wat kwyn weens VIGS. (http://www.orphansknowmore.com/the-statistics). In elk geval, neem die problem steeds toe en UNAIDS(2004) voorspel dat die getal weeskinders teen 2010 meer as 25 miljoen in die Sub-Sahara Afrika streek sal wees. In Suid Afrika was daar as 1.2 miljoen VIGS wesies in 2005, (www.Avert.org/aids orphans.htm) en 83 000 huishoudings van wie kinders die hoof is

IMPACT OF SOCIAL NETWORK SITES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL OUTCOMES IN THE WORK-PLACE: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

This paper reports on a systematic review of the evidence into the impacts of social network site usage on individual workplace outcomes. Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. SNS use in the workplace has been found to be positively associated with job satisfaction, job performance, innovative behaviour, employee engagement, and knowledge sharing, with knowledge sharing the most supported workplace outcome. The evidence does not support SNS use as being associated with negative behaviour like absenteeism and turnover intentions. Evidence of effects on behavioural outcomes such as presenteeism, organisational citizenship behaviour, and psychological outcomes such as employee involvement were limited. Results have implications for SNS usage policies in the workplace. Avenues for future work are provided

E-Government: Challenges and Opportunities in Botswana

Abstract Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges encountered in e-government implementation, as well as the potential opportunities available in the context of Botswana society. Design/methodology/approach -A detailed examination and analysis of Botswana&apos;s published e-government vision and strategy is presented, together with a review of other relevant literature. Findings -The findings and implications of this study reveal Botswana is still lagging behind in utilizing information and communication technologies for delivering government services online. Practical implications -An understanding of the current status of e-government in Botswana can help policy makers in the country pursue development of the public sector organizations on the one hand, and would be of importance for Botswana&apos;s economic future success on the other. Originality/value -This is believed to be the most up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of Botswana&apos;s plans and assessment of its level of readiness for delivery of e-government services

Analysis of HIV-1 Assembly on Intracellular Plasma Membrane-connected Compartments of Primary Human Macrophages

In primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), HIV assembles on complex intracellular plasma membrane-connected compartments (IPMCs). Currently, it is unclear whether, in addition to assembly at IPMCs, HIV uses the cell surface of MDM, as viruses that bud at the cell surface may dissociate and be lost from the samples. As the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery is required for the final scission events that release assembled virus from the plasma membrane, this question was addressed by depleting the ESCRT components Tsg101 and ALIX, or generating mutant HIV-1 strains defective in recruiting the ESCRT machinery, to arrest HIV budding and visualise all budding events. Using siRNA, ALIX and Tsg101 were depleted efficiently in MDM. Although the effects on virus release were minimal, Tsg101 had a greater effect than ALIX for HIV release in MDM. In the second approach, I generated mutants (HIV-1 PTAP−, YP−, PTAP−YP−, Δp6) defective in recruiting the ESCRT machinery, by mutating the sequences that bind Tsg101 and ALIX. The mutants were characterised on HEK 293T cells, and the release of PTAP−, PTAP−YP− and Δp6 was inhibited. Analysis by electron microscopy (EM) showed that the mutants indeed produced arrested viruses. As the mutants are defective in release, I developed a method to rescue HIV-1 PTAP− and PTAP−YP− viruses for infecting MDM. The cells were infected with the rescued mutants, and analysed using immunofluorescence and EM. By confocal microscopy, 77% of the cells had viruses in the IPMCs. Using EM, immature viruses were found predominantly (97%) in the IPMCs. Estimates of membrane area revealed enrichment of HIV in the IPMCs. This study provides the first conclusive evidence that HIV is targeted to IPMCs in MDM. This may shield the virus from immune surveillance during virus assembly, with potential impact on cell-to-cell transmission and disease progression

The Use of Cyber Ranges in the Maritime Context

A good defensive strategy against evolving cyber threats and cybercrimes is to raise awareness and use that awareness to prepare technical mitigation and human defence strategies.  A prime way to do this is through training.  While there are already many sectors employing this strategy (e.g., space, smart buildings, business IT) maritime has yet to take advantage of the available cyber-range technology to assess cyber-risks and create appropriate training to meet those risks.   Cyber security training can come in two forms, the first is so security professionals can raise their awareness on the latest and most urgent issues and increase defence skill levels.  The second form is directed at non-security professionals (e.g., ship builders, crew) and the general public, who are just as affected by cyber threats but may not have the necessary security background to deal with the issues.  Conducting training programmes for both requires dedicated computing infrastructure to simulate and execute effective scenarios for both sets of trainees.  To this end, a cyber range (CR) provides an environment for just that.  The purpose of this paper is to use studies on the concept of cyber ranges to provide evidence on why the maritime sector should embrace this technology for maritime-cyber training, and envision how they will provide maritime training and risk assessment to combat tomorrow’s threats.</jats:p

AN ANALYSIS OF THE PREFERENTIAL PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS: A CASE STUDY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS, PRETORIA (SOUTH AFRICA)

ABSTRACT The aim of the study is to explore and investigate if the current method of procurement is cost efficient, that is, whether or not it results in government having Introduction The research investigates the current procurement practices within the Department of Communications and whether such practices are cost appropriate or result in additional or unnecessary procurement expenses. This chapter provides a framework and basis for conducting the study by demonstrating the focus of and the reasons for conducting the study. In particular, this chapter introduces the study by delineating the background to the problem along with the primary problem statement. The aim, objectives, and primary research questions to be addressed in conducting this study are subsequently discussed, followed by an indication of the significance of the study