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Access status: Open Access ,
Children’s ministry of pentecostal and charismatic congregations in mangaung township: a practical theological investigation
(University of the Free State, 2024) Maphalla, Lefu Tefo; Schoeman, W. J.
Children’s Ministry of Pentecostal congregations in Mangaung Township faces many challenges that include a lack and/or inadequate infrastructure and shortage of trained personnel, especially regarding how to work with children. Children’s ministry is a collaborative effort between parents, teachers, children and congregations. In this collaborative effort, parents are the primary role players and must be recognized as such. However, all these stakeholders have to work in tandem for the ministry to achieve its desired outcomes. The thrust of the study was to determine the challenges of volunteer workers/teachers regarding children’s ministry, the understanding of the pastors regarding the ministry, the current practices of children’s ministry, the role of different stakeholders in the ministry and what would be the requirements for an effective children’s ministry. The study was both a theoretical and empirical study. Relevant literature was studied to understand the roles of different stakeholders or role players in children’s ministry and normative practices of congregations. It used qualitative research study. It also used empirical methods that included participatory action research methodologies to collect data. Observations and reflections on the practices of children’s ministry were done, as well as indepth interviews with ministry teachers and pastors of the congregations. Focus group interviews with parents augmented this. The ATLAS.Ti 2023 software package was used to analyze the data. The study made the following main findings: the ministry challenges are a lack of resources, mainly in the form of buildings/facilities, a shortage of teachers and a lack of support by the parents. The practices of the ministry are singing, teaching the Word of God, memory of verses, drama, sketches and plays. It thus made the following recommendations to improve it: first, there must be a vision and mission for the ministry and provide a budget to support the vision and mission. Second, recruit, train and retain teachers. Third, invite parents to the ministry, theologically ground them to understand their responsibility, and train, equip and support them with materials. Fourth, build relationships with them. Fifth, the children should be given an opportunity to make inputs regarding the running of the ministry and also to serve both in the ministry and congregation. Congregations should be intergenerational. Moreover, the ministry ought to be taken seriously by the leadership of the congregations and the parents. This could be achieved by appointing a person with a certain level of authority in the congregation to oversee the activities of the ministry.
Access status: Open Access ,
Integrated grassland fire danger assessment for Golden Gate Highlands National Park using geospatial techniques
(University of the Free State, 2023) Mofokeng, Dipuo Olga; Adelabu, Samuel Adewale
Grasslands are key to the earth’s system and provide crucial ecosystem services. However, the global degradation of grassland ecosystems is increasing at an alarming rate, and fire is regarded as one of the major drivers of degradation. Fire has been an integral evolution factor of grassland ecosystems, key in shaping and maintaining grassland’s ecological functioning. With global changes such as anthropogenic climate changes that alter fire regimes, fire is perceived as a destructive factor associated with negative impacts on the environment, society and economy. Moreover, there is numerous evident showing that over the past several decades and predicted to continue, average temperature area rising, predicted to continue, rainfall patterns are changing, resulting in more frequent and longer lasting drought across all ecosystems; protected and grassland areas are becoming progressively more challenging with threat to biodiversity and tourism operations and activities due to bush-encroachment, fauna and flora and species losing their natural inhabitant and competition, destroy tourism infrastructure and alter the attractiveness of tourist destination and loss of revenue and landscape ecosystem services. Integrated fire risk assessment systems provide an integral approach to fire prevention and control and mitigate the negative impacts of fire. Fire danger assessment, as one of the components of integrated fire risk assessment, is regarded as an extremely challenging endeavour owing to the confluence of factors that influence fire ignition and fire behaviour. Most global fire danger systems and indices are based on meteorological data, do not consider fire causes and have limited spatio-temporal dimensions of fire drivers or switches; therefore, they are deemed outdated and inadequate in accuracy and validating estimation of fire danger. Numerous methods have been employed to quantify the complex interrelation between fire switches and fire occurrence to estimate fire danger or susceptibility with different precision outcomes, thence, the prediction accuracy is still debated. However, most of these studies focused on northern hemisphere forest fires; therefore, grassfire research is limited, particularly in the African and Latin American grassland ecosystem. This study, therefore, developed an integrated grassland fire danger assessment model in a protected Afromontane grassland ecosystem, the Golden Gate Highland National Park (GGHNP) as the study area, taking into account all four fire drivers adapting the fire danger assessment component of the framework for fire risk assessment. Geospatial technology such as remote sensing (RS), geographical information system (GIS), Google Earth Engine (GEE) and Climate Engine (CE) were used to evaluate the spatial and temporal variation of the fire drivers. Lightning is a well-known natural fire ignition source and has been used as the proxy for such, and is inadequately represented in fire ignition models due to lack of quantitative spatial pattern on flash density. The study developed the Lightning Hazard Map (LHM) from 11-year lightning strikes data (2007 – 2017) using GIS spatial analytic techniques (hotspot analysis, Global Moran I and spatial autocorrelation analysis). The results revealed December, 15:00 and 17:00 as the month and hours with the highest lightning activity, respectively. Clustering was observed throughout the year, except in July and the early to late morning hours at 06:00, 08:00 and 09:00 South African Standard Time (SAST). The clustering of lightning strikes at the park is at a distance of about 1.2 km. This connotes that strikes clustered with other strikes are not likely to strike an individual specific location from the centre of the cluster of strikes much beyond a circle with a radius of 1.2 km. While clusters starting at 2 km to 8 km. Forty-nine (49%) and 16% of the study area was found to be highly to extremely prone to lightning-caused fire. Humans cause 90% of fires globally through land clearing and agricultural activities, however, most of the fire danger systems do not consider the temporal dimension of human-caused fire ignition. The study temporal modelled and evaluated the human behaviour as an agent of human-caused fires using distance from roads and tourist infrastructure (INFRA) as indicators using 11-year fire occurrence data. The results showed that INFRA and roads influenced all models at different times. The INFRA had influence during weekend days (Saturday and Friday) of both winter and spring seasons, while ROADS had influence during weekday (Monday to Friday) of both seasons. The inaccuracy of most fire danger systems and indices often lies in the coarse spatial resolution data, particularly at the landscape scale. Using the GEE platform, this study developed a data fusion method termed “Blend-then-Index” (BI) by blending indices from Sentinel-2 and MODIS sensors to a 10 m spatial resolution to estimate the degree of grass curing (DoC). Grass curing is the transformation of live fuel to dead fuel component of the fuel bed and is one of the crucial input parameters for the grassland fire danger system or index, also inadequately represented in fire danger assessment systems due to sparse measurement systems which are too expensive and time-consuming, data scarcity and inaccessible. The results revealed September, February and May as the months with the highest, lowest and onset of degree of curing, respectively. Based on grass curing, over 80% of the study area was prone to fire danger. The results showed that over 90% of fire points fell under grass curing maps’ (GCMs) high and extreme fire danger. Moreover, the study revealed an inverse correlation between grass curing indexes (GCIs) and precipitation and soil moisture. Owing to this precision, the “BI” data fusion method was used in the study to measure other fuel factors. Finally, the study developed prediction fire danger map models taking into consideration the relationship between the confluence of fire drivers and fire danger and 20 variables were selected. Namely: LHM, proximity from road, infrastructure, rivers, GCI, global vegetation moisture index (GVMI), vegetation condition index (VCI), bare soil index (BSI), soil bulk density, coarse fragments, soil moisture content, total plant available water holding capacity (TAWCP) elevation, aspect, slope, topographic positioning index (TPI), topographic ruggedness index (TRI), topographic water index (TWI), land surface temperature (LST) and wind speed. All the models showed that almost 85% of the study area is prone to fire, ranging from low to extremely dangerous. In comparing the best-performing models in predicting fire danger, the results revealed trade-off between statistical and machine learning methods. Decision trees (DT) showed high precision on model fit and success rate (ROC/AUC value of 0.93, 0.96 and 0.50); however, it was outperformed by weight of evidence (WoE) (0.83, 0.82 and 0.7) in predictive rates. Other models, frequency ratio (FR) (0.92, 0.95 and 0.66) for model-fit, success rate and predict rate validation, logistic regression (LR) (0.63, 0.64 and 0.59), random forest (RF) (0.91, 0.94 and 0.53), support vector machine (SVM) (0.63, 0.64 and 0.59). The WoE method showed robust performance in all three accuracy assessments (model fit, success and prediction rates). and therefore, based on that, the study suggests a hybrid approach of statistical and machine learning methods for improving the accuracy of fire danger prediction. Furthermore, based on the WoE model, almost 53% of the park is highly prone to fire, observably concentrated in the southern, south-western and eastern parts. The study revealed that the geospatial techniques used are effective and can effectively model fire danger. The results also revealed that the study area’s fire regime was fuel-driven and caused by lightning and humans. This suggests that a fire management strategy should be based on a fuel management strategy that considers the local fuel conditions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify and determine the thresholds of fuel conditions (fuel load, fuel moisture content, and other fuel characteristics in relation to fire ignition and fire behaviour). This study assists in meeting sustainable development goal including SDG 15, i.e., life on land including protection of natural landscape and biodiversity, and conservation of mountainous ecosystems.
Access status: Open Access ,
Evaluating environmental factors & fire disturbance influencing species diversity in a mountainous protected area
(University of the Free State, 2023) Munyai, Nthabeliseni; Adelabu, Samuel Adewale; Ramoelo, Abel
Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) is a unique conservation area occurring at the interface of three Biomes, i.e., Grassland, Nama karoo, and thicket. Grassland is the least protected biome in South Africa, with only approximately 2% of the biome being protected. It is estimated that 60% of the Grassland biome has been permanently transformed, while as little as 15% remains natural Grassland. Majority of the remaining natural Grassland is highly fragmented, and most is poorly managed. Grasslands and savannas are shaped by several factors, including climate change and fire. Fire plays a crucial role, particularly in influencing the structure and composition of vegetation which does have an influence on ecosystem functionality. Globally, there is a noticeable increase in the abundance of woody plants observed in Grasslands and savannas. This change in plant functional types has been ascribed to several factors, including reduced fire frequency, intense grazing pressures and elevated atmospheric CO2. Although several ecological studies have explored different aspects of vegetation within MZNP, there still exists a considerable knowledge gap regarding the driving factors that influence this vegetation. Soil is a vital environmental factor that influences ecosystem processes and the distribution and characteristics of plant communities. The relationship between plant productivity and species richness is a fundamental focal point in community ecology, as it provides the basis for understanding plants’ responses or adaptive strategies. The main objectives of this study were 1. To determine the influence of fire on woody/shrub plant species richness, diversity, and composition. 2. To determine the influence of fire on grass species richness, diversity, and composition. 3. To determine the influence of environmental factors on the species diversity and richness.4. To determine the effects of absence and presence of Fire on Woody species recruitment in a mountainous grassland. This was done using satellite imagery; the park’s fire history was c between 2000 and 2020. Eighty plots (approximately 20 × 20 metres; >100 metres apart) were laid out purposively across the different fire regimes. Vegetation data was obtained using the step-point method. Biomass measurement was collected using a disc pasture meter on the transects. Environmental data except the rainfall data were extracted for each sample site using Quantum GIS 2.18.0 (Las Palmas de G.C.). All layers applied in the QGIS used the geographic coordinate system WGS84 and EPSG:4326 as spatial reference. This was done using Worldclim which allows the extraction of raster values to points. There was no significant difference in both species’ richness and diversity in burned and unburned sites (p>0.05) There was a significant difference in species cover for the Type B fire (2010 and 2019) compared to the Site A fire (2002 and 2010) fire. The unburned site had higher moribund material and unpalatable grasses than the burned area. The results show that the absence of fire for a prolonged period changes woody species cover in Grassland. Only one of the soil properties, soil pH, influenced plant biomass. Although soil nutrients are highly important in plant biomass production, it was found their influences on Above Ground Biomass (AGB) and plant to be insignificant. The study’s main findings indicate that the chemical properties of soil (nitrogen and soil organic carbon) significantly impacted species richness and diversity and that clay and sand content (i.e., soil texture) positively affected species diversity. In contrast, the physical properties of soil (silt) did not affect plant species richness and diversity. Nitrogen showed an inversely proportional relationship with species richness. Sand content was the only physical property of soil which positively affected species diversity.
Access status: Open Access ,
Assessing current and future rangeland resources using remote sensing in Vhembe district, South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2023) Nuwarinda, Henry; Adelabu, Samuel; Ramoelo, Abel
In the Vhembe Biosphere and its surroundings, the problem of natural resource change and biodiversity loss has become an urgent issue. The region is highly dependent on biodiversity resources to meet basic needs for fuelwood, building materials and livestock feed. However, these resources are threatened by ongoing land degradation. Traditional methods of data collection like direct and indirect personal interviews, using questionnaire or an interpreter have proven time-consuming and cumbersome. To address these challenges, this study explores the potential of remote sensing technology to identify key indicators of natural resources, including vegetation cover (i.e., trees, grasses, and shrubs). This study aimed to assess the condition and changes of natural resources in the Vhembe Biosphere and its immediate surroundings. Understanding these changes is crucial in biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management. We investigated the factors driving these changes, particularly those related to vegetation cover, a critical factor for ecosystem change or biodiversity loss in Vhembe Biosphere region. Socio-economic factors influence on biodiversity loss were investigated together with the complicated interplay between socio-economic conditions and environmental factors about biodiversity loss. The study used quantitative research approach to achieve its objectives. A comprehensive analysis of South Africa's national land cover dataset, compiled from multi-year Landsat-5 and Sentinel-2 imagery, served as the central data for assessing changes in natural resources. In addition, a detailed investigation of the factors responsible for these changes was carried out using generalized linear models to identify the most critical factors contributing to vegetation cover change. Socio-economic parameters such as education, employment and income levels were studied to understand their impact on biodiversity loss in the Vhembe Biosphere. Finally the study investigated the dynamic relationship between socio-economic factors and environmental variables and their role in biodiversity loss. The study revealed the complex relationship between human activities and natural factors in shaping changes in natural resources. The results showed that land use activities, especially bush encroachment, directly threaten natural resource change. At the same time, climate variables were found to be a significant driver exacerbating these changes, further highlighting the complicated interplay between human activities and environmental influences. In addition, the educational level of the population had a significant impact on biodiversity, highlighting the need for conservation education and outreach to curb the exploitation of biodiversity resources. The findings underscore the need for a multidisciplinary approach to biodiversity loss that includes scientific measures to reduce the negative impacts of human activities and natural forces. In particular, we highlighted the importance of strategies to mitigate and adapt to unpredictable patterns of climate change. Awareness raising and conservation education in communities around the Vhembe Biosphere were identified as critical elements in promoting positive conservation values and behaviour. In addition, the sharing of indigenous and local knowledge together with scientific knowledge was seen as an effective approach to addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss and developing effective climate change mitigation strategies. This study has explored the complexity of natural resource changes and causes of biodiversity loss in the Vhembe Biosphere and surrounding areas. It has highlighted the interplay of human activities and environmental factors as the main drivers of natural resource change, emphasizing the role of land use and climate change. It has also highlighted the significant influence of education and socio-economic conditions on biodiversity. These findings highlight the multidimensional nature of biodiversity loss and its causes and underscore the need for comprehensive and integrative strategies to address this problem. The study makes several recommendations for dealing with biodiversity loss in the region. First and foremost, we suggest that scientific measures like environmental education and awareness, conservation and restoration, sustainable resource management, and climate change mitigation be taken to mitigate the impact of human activities and environmental factors on natural resources. Strategies to adapt to unpredictable climate change should be developed and implemented. Promoting education and awareness of surrounding communities on biodiversity conservation is crucial to promote positive values and behaviour. Promoting the sharing of indigenous and local knowledge together with scientific knowledge can enhance the diversity of perspectives and integrated approaches to addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss and developing effective mitigation strategies. This study serves as a foundation for future research on biodiversity loss and its management in Vhembe biosphere and similar regions. Further studies could explore a more comprehensive examination of the interactions between human activities and biodiversity, as well as innovative conservation strategies specific to the Vhembe Biosphere and similar regions.
Access status: Open Access ,
An investigation of a strategy for the vaccination of free ranging chickens against newcastle disease in Qwa-Qwa, South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2002) Thekisoe, Matlhahane Molifi Oriel; Mbati, Peter A.
The primary aim of this study was to develop a strategy to control Newcastle disease in free ranging village chickens using the Nobilis® ND Inkukhu vaccine (Intervet South Africa). The study was conducted at Thibella village in Qwa-Qwa district of the eastern Free State province of South Africa, from April 2001 - October 2002. Three different routes of vaccination ( administration via eye-drop, drinking water and feed) were investigated and the most efficient route was determined. Haemagglutination inhibition test was conducted frequently after revaccinations in order to measure the antibody status of village chickens after immunisation against Newcastle disease. The study also sought to determine intervals for re-vaccinations. Trial challenges were conducted to determine the efficacy of the vaccine using a South African isolate of velogenic Newcastle disease virus. A questionnaire survey was also conducted to determine perceptions and knowledge on vaccines by free ranging chicken owners. The eye-drop vaccination route produced the highest haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titres ranging between 2.7 and 4.4, followed by drinking water vaccination route with HI titres ranging between 2.3 and 4.0. The lowest titres were from the feed vaccination route where HI titres ranged between 1.6 and 3.0. Following the trial challenge experiment, the entire control group died on the 3ʳᵈ and 4ᵗʰ day after infection. However 70 % of the chickens immunized with the Nobilis® ND Inkukhu vaccine by using either the eye-drop or drinking water route survived the trial challenge. Only 20 % of the chickens from the group immunized through the feed route survived the trial challenge. Evidently both the eye-drop and drinking water vaccination routes were efficient in preventing infection of Newcastle disease virus. The efficiency of the vaccine using either of the routes can be enhanced by having boosts at 3-month intervals on the first year of a vaccination campaign and then at 6-month intervals on the second year onwards. From the questionnaire survey, 96 % of the owners mentioned that the indigenous name in Sesotho for Newcastle disease is 𝗠𝗼𝗸𝗼𝗶𝘆𝗼. The questionnaire also revealed that outbreaks occur mainly in spring months between August and October. The majority of the respondents indicated that they would prefer to vaccinate their flocks using the drinking water route. They also proposed that extension officers should be involved in the vaccination exercises. It was evident that in the majority of households in Qwa-Qwa women were the ones who were primarily responsible for taking care of the chickens. It will be valuable in the future if village communities in Qwa-Qwa were educated in the control of poultry diseases, in particular on Newcastle disease. Through workshops and seminars, and also by assisting in vaccination programs, extension officers in rural areas can play a critical role in the growth of free ranging poultry farming in poor rural communities in South Africa.
Access status: Open Access ,
Change management in the asset creation department of Eskom Northern Cape operating unit
(University of the Free State, 2023) Molala, Hudson; Hendriks, Christoffel
The objective of the study was to explore the impact of change management within the Eskom Northern Cape Operating Unit (NCOU) in the Asset Creation Department and develop recommendations to the organisation on how best to implement change management in future. Despite changes in its external and internal environment, Eskom’s founding values have remained the same, which include supplying constant electricity without interruption across the country. The company’s inability to supply electricity has led to various challenges, including high debt ratio, low staff morale, corruption, unsustainable business methods, poor operational performance, overstaffing in certain areas, deteriorating reputation, poor financial management, as well as declining customer satisfaction. The study found that change management has placed pressure on the current employees who have to work with limited resources, affecting their morale, productivity, and workload. If these challenges are not addressed effectively, they would have a direct negative impact on Eskom’s NCOU operational targets, namely to supply constant electricity and maintain the existing electrical infrastructure. A quantitative research methodology was adopted in this study. A questionnaire was developed for the NCOU employees which covered a range of aspects concerning change management. Various sets of questions dealt with the uncertainty during the change management process, for example, whether the employees had been offered early retirement packages, whether they had been retrenched, and whether new or existing vacancies had been filled on time or not. The study also investigated the impact of change management with regard to its time frames, employees’ responsibilities, skills and educational level, principles and methods of communication, the transparency of the process and whether employees were engaged on the changes or not. The findings showed that, at an organisational level, change management might have led to loss of productivity, loss of experienced employees, reduced performance, and increased workload among the remaining employees and a loss of confidence in management. On an individual level, the impact was found to be low morale, uncertainty about the future of the organisation, increased anxiety and stress, and other health and awareness issues. On the opposite side, some participants agreed that there was clear and effective communication, the company followed the relevant policies and procedures, and employees were engaged on the outcomes of the process. The overall assessment revealed that the change management process was not managed properly and there is a room for improvement as highlighted in the recommendations. Although many employees had clarity about their roles and responsibilities, they felt discouraged and were unsure about their future with Eskom. This, in turn, led to a loss of productivity. Therefore, Eskom should put measures into place that can provide more certainty to employees and limit potential loss of production. As a result of the duration of the change management process, employees began to lose confidence in management, which may lead to many unintended consequences, such as a loss of control over the process by the management. Again, reasonable and realistic time frames would strengthen the trust in the employee–employer relationship, as well as having clear goals and direction.
Access status: Open Access ,
Evaluating the impact of Enterprise Supplier Development by the mining companies on Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2023) Mokwena, Faith Tumelo; Madikane, Thandekile
The study, "Evaluating the impact of Enterprise Supplier Development by mining companies on SMEs in South Africa," examines the effectiveness of ESD programmes implemented by mining companies in accordance with the BBBEE policy and the South African Mining Charter. Determining the effectiveness of these ESD programmes in enhancing the performance and capacities of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) in South Africa's mining sector is the primary objective of the research. The study gathered data from 41 SMEs registered in ASSMANG's supplier and enterprise databases using a survey-based descriptive technique. These companies provided insightful details about their experiences with the ESD initiative. The research's primary conclusions are as follows: Programmes for Enterprise Sustainability (ESD) improve SMEs' efficacy, growth, competitiveness, and financial position while also assisting managers and owners in their personal and professional development. The study also identifies a variety of challenges that SMEs face, the most important being financial constraints. Financial constraints, issues with market access, and legislative obstacles are further challenges. ESD effectiveness is influenced by a wide range of factors, including market dynamics, organisational, social, legal, and economic factors. The study concludes that even though SMEs in the mining industry benefit from ESD programming, further growth is still necessary. It suggests improvements like focused campaigns, increased funding, legal assistance, specialist training, and tactical modifications to boost ESD's effectiveness. By addressing specific problems that SMEs face and offering tactical adjustments, these recommendations aim to enhance the growth of SMEs in South Africa's mining sector. Thus, when taking into account South Africa's economic growth and the empowerment of SMEs in the mining sector, this study gives significant insights and helpful recommendations that are notable.
Access status: Open Access ,
Human resource selection process at an energy- generating organisation
(University of the Free State, 2023) Mokoena, Maserame Sarah; Markham, Lyle
This research study looked at the human resource selection process within the energy-generating organisation. The focus was to ensure that the right people are placed in the right positions and possess the essential educational qualifications, competencies and abilities to carry out their duties in a proper manner. Human resource selection is crucial as the success of the business is dependent on whether the selection of personnel was made in an appropriate manner. While in the selection process, the participants are required to go through various stages to enable them to be adequately vetted for the role, it is equally important to ensure that there is no impartiality in the process. The study aimed to assess the challenges impacting an effective human resource selection process. It also focused on the advantages of optimising the interview process and simplifying tasks. This study investigated employees’ observations of the selection process within the energy-generating organisation and the effectiveness in selecting, appointing and retaining the right skills. A qualitative research method was used to collect and analyse data. Using a semi-structured interview method, the researcher obtained information from the participants who are experts in their areas and have been involved in human resource selection to understand what is required to improve the process in the energy-generating organisation. The data was collected using open-ended questions. This type of interview was meant to cover all areas of concern and give participants a chance to give their input and express their thoughts and opinions on what they consider important in the selection process. The findings from this study will contribute to the existing literature and assist in developing and implementing selection strategies and automation of the human resource selection process where agility can be utilised to seamlessly mirror manual time-consuming tasks.
Access status: Open Access ,
Antecedents of employee motivation at the Perishable Products Export Control Board in South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2023) Mkhungo, Sbongiseni; Delport,Marthinus
The study aimed to identify predictors of employee motivation at the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB). The study's objectives were to determine, using structural equational modelling, whether a relationship exists between employee motivation (dependent variable), job characteristics and supervisor support at the PPECB. The study also sought to determine, employing ANOVA, whether statistically significant differences exist in employee motivation across regions at PPECB. The study utilised an ex post facto correlational research design to test the relationships between the variables. The target population were full-time and temporary PPECB employees, and a non-probability convenience sampling was used. The Job Characteristic Scale (JCS), Work Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation Scale (WEIMS) and perceived Supervisory Support Scale (PSSS) measurement instruments were used to collect data. A sample of n = 275 completed the questionnaire. Psychometric properties of the measurement scales utilised in the questionnaire were examined through item and factor analysis. All measurement scales yielded satisfactory reliability coefficients. Furthermore, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was utilised to evaluate the structural model. The close fit null hypothesis was rejected, and it was revealed that the proposed model provided a permissible explanation of the relationships between the variables. From the findings, autonomy, experiencing meaningfulness, and supervisory support affected employee motivation, while feedback did not significantly affect employee motivation. The secondary objective investigates the data that did not support differences in motivation levels across regions/divisions. The study recommends that job characteristics and supervisory support be considered in the planning and designing of employees’ jobs. Increased freedom in decision-making and job rotation were cited as ways Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) could increase employees’ motivation.
Access status: Open Access ,
Challenges facing family owned SMES In Bloemfontein
(University of the Free State, 2023) Mcapu, Ntombizanele; Peters, M. J.
Family businesses are important drivers of the economy. They are important tools in promoting employment, equal share and access to the same share of a country's national income, economic stability, and the overall stimulation of economic development. However, the majority of these businesses do not survive to the third generation of the family. Considering their role in the economy, it is important to investigate the underlying challenges that threaten their existence. Their failure rate portrays a bleak picture of the SME sector's potential to contribute meaning full to the economy, improving standards of living and eradicating poverty. The core motivation of the study was to identify challenges facing family owned SMEs in Bloemfontein. This objective was supported by the secondary objectives. These secondary objectives sought to understand the unique complex nature of family businesses. They seek to analyse the benefits of family owned businesses and their contribution to the economy. The objectives of this study also aimed to analyse the negative impact the family owned businesses have on the economy. The research also looked at how the identified challenged can be overcome to mitigate their negative impacts. To effectively conduct the study and achieve the set objectives, the qualitative approach was employed. The study targeted 12 participants from family businesses with different organisational structures. The study used purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews were carried out to collect data from the participants. The study findings revealed that family businesses have their own unique set of challenges. This is because they seek to balance family dynamics from various generations while keeping up with undiluted founding members‟ values and entrepreneurial spirit. Therefore, the recommendations highlighted by the study are that family businesses should strive to draw a clearly defined line between the family and the business. This can be achieved by embracing external perspectives and having a board of non-family members. This board will not work as a blood hound, but as a watch dog to ensure order.