University of South Africa

About: University of South Africa is a education organization based out in Pretoria, South Africa. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Population. The organization has 8478 authors who have published 19960 publications receiving 237688 citations. The organization is also known as: Unisa.

Informal retailing through home-based micro-enterprises: The role of spaza shops

Abstract: The informal trade sector constitutes an important part of the South African economy, with estimated sales of R32 billion in 2002. Its emergence is largely attributed to the divergence between the growth in population, especially the urban population, and employment growth in the formal economy. Growth of informal enterprises, especially in the retail sector, is also thriving on the demand of less affluent households, whose household needs for unsophisticated and affordable products are aptly supplied by the informal sector. The aim of this article is to focus on one of the prominent sub-sectors of informal retailing, namely spaza or tuck shops, defined as small retail businesses which operate from a residential stand or home. Particular attention is paid to the size, role and characteristics of spaza trade in South Africa, which is estimated to account for nearly 3 per cent of South Africa's retail trade.

Three approaches as pillars for interpretive information systems research: development research, action research and grounded theory

Abstract: This paper addresses practical approaches and models, based on the paradigm of the 'interpretivist school', to operationalise research in information systems. The study overviews research paradigms and some current issues in IS research, then describes, discusses and illustrates three approaches, namely, development research, action research, and grounded theory, advocating them as proposed pillars for interpretive IS research. With the present emphasis on user-centricity and empowerment of previously technologically-disenfranchised domains, inquiry processes emanating from the social sciences and humanities are relevant to IS, particularly with relation to interactive systems to bridge the digital divide and for the design and development of emerging technology. Each of the approaches suggested has an underlying theoretical framework and reflective methods, and can serve as a model to guide the research process, offering a unifying thread, cohesion and internal consistency to a research study.

Adsorbents and removal strategies of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from contaminated water bodies

Abstract: In the past few decades, there has been a rapid growth in the number of published articles that have focused on the environmental monitoring of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This is due to their extensive usage for the treatment of various diseases such as arthritis, musculo-skeletal pain and other various acute pains, because of their availability over the counter without a medical prescription. NSAIDs consumption is followed by excretion through fecal matter and urine which increases their concentration in the aquatic environment. Review articles focusing on the occurrence, fate, and removal of pharmaceuticals in the water environment have been reported. This review focusses on adsorbents and various ways of NSAIDs reduction in the environment that include activated carbon, ligninolytic enzymes, graphene-based adsorbents, molecularly imprinted polymers, electrochemical methods, sonochemical processes and photocatalytic degradation. The applicability of each adsorbent in removing NSAIDs from environmental surface water are deliberated in this review. Generally, it is observed that many adsorbents and processes are yet to be investigated for removal of NSAIDs in the large scale such as wastewater treatment plants. Other remedial approaches such as constructed wetlands have shown great potential for elimination of NSAIDs in wastewater effluent and are also discussed in this review. Also, the attainments and challenges, as well as views for future studies, are outlined and discussed in the current review.

CO2 emission thresholds for inclusive human development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract: We provide policy-relevant critical masses beyond which, increasing CO2 emissions negatively affects inclusive human development. This study examines how increasing CO2 emissions affects inclusive human development in 44 Sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2000-2012. The empirical evidence is based on Fixed Effects and Tobit regressions. In order to increase the policy relevance of this study, the dataset is decomposed into fundamental characteristics of inclusive development and environmental degradation based on income levels (Low income versus (vs.) Middle income); legal origins (English Common law vs. French Civil law); religious domination (Christianity vs. Islam); openness to sea (Landlocked vs. Coastal); resource-wealth (Oil-rich vs. Oil-poor) and political stability (Stable vs. Unstable). All computed thresholds are within policy range. Hence, above these thresholds, CO2 emissions negatively affect inclusive human development.