RESEARCH VULNERABILITY: AN ILLUSTRATIVE CASE STUDY FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN MINING INDUSTRY

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
LYN HORN
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
The South ◽  
Illustrative Case Study

scholarly journals Using Qualitative System Dynamics Analysis to Promote Inclusive Livestock Value Chains: A Case Study of the South African Broiler Value Chain

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soledad Cuevas Garcia-Dorado ◽  
Kevin Queenan ◽  
Bhavani Shankar ◽  
Barbara Häsler ◽  
Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
South African ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
The South ◽  
Entry Points

Livestock value chains globally are increasingly dualistic, with integrated market-leaders co-existing with comparatively disadvantaged small producers who, nevertheless, support rural livelihoods and food access, and can also contribute to more resilient supply chains. The South African broiler value chain provides a highly illustrative case study. The purpose of this study is to identify potential leverage points for policy intervention to support small and emerging producers in the South African broiler value chain, and to discuss the strengths and limitations of system dynamics approaches to promote inclusive food value chains. This study develops a causal loop diagram (CLD) based on semi-structured stakeholder interviews and policy documents. The main challenges, key variables and causal relationships between them are systematically identified. Variables are coded, generalised and graphically represented, and entry points for intervention and their links to existing policies are mapped. The challenges faced by smallholders in the context of our study can be characterised, using a CLD, as a set of interlinked and reinforcing dynamics which perpetuate existing disadvantages and reinforce duality in the value chain. Key policy entry points have been identified that could be targeted by a coordinated policy package, including: Direct support for infrastructure investment and input access through grants, subsidies or other policies; credit and liquidity provision for day-to-day expenses; creation of aggregation mechanisms for both inputs and outputs; regulations or initiatives that directly target the relationship of farmers with the commercial segment to improve access to day-old-chicks and, finally, training in business and technical skills. Although most of these interventions have been addressed at some point, implementation has been fragmented, failing to fully consider their complementary nature, thus undermining effectiveness. Existing approaches to consensus building and stakeholder participation in system dynamics research can present challenges when it comes to engaging with complex policy processes and issues of conflict of interest that are relevant in the context of smallholder promotion and equitable food systems, but there are promising avenues for addressing. Despite some methodological challenges, we find that there is considerable scope for system dynamics approaches to inform policy for smallholder promotion, even in contexts characterised by complex policy processes.

scholarly journals STEPS TO IMPROVE LOGBOOK COMPLIANCE FOR DIESEL REBATES: A PROCESS-DRIVEN APPROACH

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-134
Author(s):  
Refilwe Ngwaku ◽  
Janine Pascoe ◽  
Jan Vosloo ◽  
Jean van Laar
Keyword(s):  
Data Quality ◽  
South African ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
The South ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Data Reporting ◽  
Data Measurement

Diesel accounts for up to 46 per cent of mining operations costs. In 2001, the Customs and Excise Act was amended to allow rebates for qualifying diesel users. The rebate aims to protect the international competitiveness of the South African mining industry. One of the key requirements for the diesel rebate is to submit logbooks that are compliant; however, the mining industry is struggling to maintain accurate logbook verification. Failure to comply with logbook requirements has prevented eligible mines from benefitting from the rebate. This paper presents a stepwise methodology to support the values reported in logbooks and submitted to the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The methodology focuses on four issues of data quality: data measurement, data verification, data traceability, and data reporting. With this approach, 151 errors were identified and corrected in a case study. A compliant logbook is shown to be the first step towards improved diesel management.

Systemic Unsustainability as a Threat to Democracy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Felicetti
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Sustainability Transition ◽  
Ways Of Thinking ◽  
Illustrative Case Study ◽  
New Research

Resilient socioeconomic unsustainability poses a threat to democracy whose importance has yet to be fully acknowledged. As the prospect of sustainability transition wanes, so does perceived legitimacy of institutions. This further limits representative institutions’ ability to take action, making democratic deepening all the more urgent. I investigate this argument through an illustrative case study, the 2017 People’s Climate March. In a context of resilient unsustainability, protesters have little expectation that institutions might address the ecological crisis and this view is likely to spread. New ways of thinking about this problem and a new research agenda are needed.

The Effects of Teaching Reflection Diaries on In-Service High School Teachers in Japan

Relay Journal ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 80-99
Author(s):  
Naoya Shibata
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Teachers ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Teaching Beliefs ◽  
Experienced Teacher ◽  
Female Teachers ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Illustrative Case Study

Although teaching reflection diaries (TRDs) are prevalent tools for teacher training, TRDs are rarely used in Japanese secondary educational settings. In order to delve into the effects of TRDs on teaching development, this illustrative case study was conducted with two female teachers (one novice, and one experienced) at a Japanese private senior high school. The research findings demonstrated that both in-service teachers perceived TRDs as beneficial tools for understanding their strengths and weaknesses. TRDs and class observations illustrated that the novice teacher raised their self-confidence in teaching and gradually changed their teaching activities. On the other hand, the experienced teacher held firm teaching beliefs based on their successful teaching experiences and were sometimes less willing to experiment with different approaches. However, they changed their teaching approaches when they lost balance between their class preparation and other duties. Accordingly, although teachers’ firm beliefs and successful experiences may sometimes become possible hindrances from using TRDs effectively, TRDs can be useful tools to train and help teachers realise their strengths and weaknesses.

Opera and the South African Political

2019 ◽  
pp. 289-311
Author(s):  
Christopher Ballantine
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Singing Voice ◽  
The South ◽  
Sociopolitical Context ◽  
Creating Meaning ◽  
Empirical Means

Christopher Ballantine’s focus is on timbre, in particular the timbre of the singing voice, and how this combines with the imagination to create meaning. His investigation is largely philosophical; but the growth in popularity of opera in post-apartheid South Africa provides empirical means for Ballantine to indicate this powerful but analytically neglected way of creating meaning in the performance of music. His case study shows how timbre can produce musical experiences that have a particular, and often surprising, resonance. Through interviews with leading figures in South African opera, Ballantine demonstrates that timbre is a vital wellspring of imagined meaning; it should especially be seen thus if we seek to understand the singing voice in a sociopolitical context such as that of South Africa during and after apartheid.

Country of origin branding: an integrative perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roderick J. Brodie ◽  
Maureen Benson-Rea
Keyword(s):  
Country Of Origin ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Business Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Meaning ◽  
Value Propositions ◽  
Illustrative Case Study ◽  
Strategic Perspective

Purpose A new conceptualization of the process of country of origin (COO) branding based on fresh theoretical foundations is developed. This paper aims to provide a strategic perspective that integrates extant views of COO branding, based on identity and image, with a relational perspective based on a process approach to developing collective brand meaning. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review of the literature on COO branding and geographical indicators is undertaken, together with a review of contemporary research on branding. Our framework conceptualizes COO branding as an integrating process that aligns a network of relationships to co-create collective meaning for the brand’s value propositions. Findings An illustrative case study provides empirical evidence to support the new theoretical framework. Research limitations/implications Issues for further research include exploring and refining the theoretical framework in other research contexts and investigating broader issues about how COO branding influences self and collective interests in business relationships and industry networks. Practical implications Adopting a broadened perspective of COO branding enables managers to understand how identity and image are integrated with their business relationships in the context of developing collective brand meaning. Providing a sustained strategic advantage for all network actors, an integrated COO branding process extends beyond developing a distinctive identity and image. Originality/value Accepted consumer, product, firm and place level perspectives of COO branding are challenged by developing and verifying a new integrated conceptualization of branding.

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