UWCScholar

This repository serves as a digital archive for the preservation of research outputs from the University of the Western Cape

Communities in UWCScholar

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 11

Recent Submissions

The tripartite free trade agreement among the EAC, COMESA & SADC as an approach to foster regional integration in Africa - a critical analysis
(Univesity of the Western Cape, 2011) Roggendorf, Armin; Lenaghan, Patricia
The Tripartite Free Trade Agreement among the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) was announced in October 2008. It aims to serve two goals. First it complements the broader objectives of the African Union to establish the African Economic Community by 2034 latest. Second it aims to foster intra-regional trade within Africa which is, in parts, still insignificant. Therefore, this thesis will critically analyse the legal and rational frameworks within which the new Free Trade Area aims to operate. Moreover, this thesis will consider the challenges that interfere with fostering regional integration by analysing product categories that are excluded (sensitive products) and by identifying selected non-tariff obstacles to trade.
The value of positive psychological capital in predicting desirable and undesirable attitudes and behaviours at work
(Univesity of the Western Cape, 2011) Van Der Schyff, Tasneem; Jano, Rukhsana
Due to the competitive nature of the industry, retail organizations thrive on enhanced performance and the leverage of competitive advantage. In order for organizations to develop and sustain competitive advantage, human resource strategies should be formulated considering the factors that are highly unique and valuable, context specific, hard to imitate, and non-substitutable (Youssef & Luthans, 2007). In other words, in order to remain competitive, organizations need to focus on enhancing the value of their human resources in order to improve the ultimate psychological health of the organization (Toor & Offori, 2010). Psychological capital has gained prominence as an important construct on organizational behaviour research. Psychological capital is rooted in the theory of positive organizational behaviour which focuses on what is right with individuals and building on strengths. PsyCap recognizes the value of positively oriented human-resource strengths and psychological capacities that can be measured and developed in order for organizations to truly thrive under the pressures oftoday's workplace (Luthans & Youssef, 2004).
The impact of downsizing on remaining employees in the organisation (food industry) in the Western Cape
(Univesity of the Western Cape, 2013) Sayed, Zakira; Heslop, Karl
There has been a new wave of global downsizing in the early 2000's due to the proliferation of employees in the previous years. A question can be posed; to what extent have organizations yet to adopt a policy framework for ensuring a balance of procedural on the one hand and efficiency imperatives on the other (Chew & Howitz, 2002). Organisational downsizing has become an important issue recently affecting individuals and the economy of businesses. A "purposeful reduction in the size of an organization workforce" defines downsizing focusing on people and ensuring a lean philosophy (Cameron, Freeman, & Mishra, 1991). Companies all over the world have used a strategy of downsizing to improve employee competitiveness, organisational effectiveness, profitability, efficiency and to reduce the size of their workforce. Regardless of the reasons given for downsizing it have profound repercussions on all the functions in the organization. Due to the various social and institutional constraints as well as organisational and human research procedures firms follow, the effects of downsizing differ from resource and market based strategies. The rationale of the study is to determine to what extent downsizing affects the remaining employees within an organisation with respect to trust, communication, loyalty, employee commitment and career advancement opportunities.
English as a barrier to learning for isiXhosa speaking foundation phase learners in the Western Cape
(Univesity of the Western Cape, 2013) Salie, Maimona; Moletsane, Mokgadi
This study focuses on the use of English as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) and its impact on the language development of English second language (ESL) IsiXhosa-speaking learners. Although there are a variety of approaches to second language acquisition (SLA), the findings of this study are understood in terms of Krashen's Monitor Model and Cummins's Developmental Interdependence Hypothesis framework. Key factors identified in the study include the language policy of the school, the language awareness of educators, the role of language attitudes in gaining literacy proficiency, and learning barriers that prevent isiXhosa-speaking foundation phase learners from performing academically. This study is a qualitative case study which includes educators, parents and learners as research participants. The purpose of the research is to establish whether, because isiXhosa-speaking foundation phase learners receive their education in a language other than their primary language, namely in English, they are confronted by learning barriers which prevent them from performing academically.
Regsinstellings en di e reg aan die Kaap van 1806 tot 1834
(University of the Western Cape, 1984) van der Merwe, Petrus Johannes; Visagie, Gerrit G.
Die doel van hierdie verhandeling is om die regspleging en die reg aan die Kaap van 1806 tot 1834 te ondersoek. Daar is op die aanvangsdatum 1806 besluit nie aileen omdat dit 'n nuwe bedeling na die tweede Britse besitname van die Kaap ingelei het nie, maar ook omdat die regsgeskiedenis vanaf die begin van die volksplanting aan die Kaap tot 1806 reeds deeglik deur prof. G. G. Visagie nagevors is in sy baanbrekerswerk Regspleging en die reo aan die K aap van 1652 tot 1806. Die huidlge verhandeling sluit af by die datum 1834 aangesien dit die datum is van die inwerkingtreding van die tweede Regsoktrooi. Tussen 1806 en 1834 het daar, wat die regswese aan die Kaap betref, spreekwoordelik gesproke oneindig baie water in die see gevloei. Die veranderinge wat die regsinstellings, en daarmee saam ook die reg wat deur hierdie liggame toegepas is, gedurende hierdie tydperk ondergaan het, kan egter nie in vacuo beoordeel word nie.