DSpace Repository

Welcome to the NWU Repository, the open access Institutional Repository of the North-West University (NWU-IR). This is a digital archive that collects, preserves and distributes research material created by members of NWU. The aim of the NWU-IR is to increase the visibility, availability and impact of the research output of the North-West University through Open Access, search engine indexing and harvesting by several initiatives.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 18

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Surveying the reputation-regulation interfacein the SABI industry: Perspectives of privatebanking customersRead online:Scan this QRcode with yoursmart phone ormobile deviceto read online.
(Elsevier Ltd., 2024) Murimbika, Samson
Purpose: Bank reputations took a severe knock following the global financial crisis of 2007–2009.To get the global banking industry back on its feet, regulations existing at the time werestrengthened and new ones were introduced. While the industry has come a long way in clawingback its reputation, research on the present state of reputations of some global banks suggests thatthese reputations are still underpinned by national regulators. In the South African context, it isnot clear to what extent bank reputations are underpinned by the reputation of the main bankingregulator: the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). This article looks at perceptions of privatebanking customers to ascertain whether they believe that bank reputations derive from thereputation of the regulator.Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research methodology was applied. Purposivesampling was used to collect data from 111 banking customers using a Likert scale. Fourhypotheses on reputation-regulation relationships were then tested using the non-parametricWilcoxon Signed Rank test.Findings/results: The results show that regulation plays no role in how private bankingcustomers perceive bank reputations.Practical implications: This study highlights that there is little scope for banks to accrue‘reputational rent’ by free riding on the reputation of the regulator. Banks must therefore takesteps to proactively engage in their own reputation building exercises.Originality/value: This research is the first to look at the reputation–regulation interface inthe local banking industry from private banking customers’ perspective. It highlights thateach bank must work hard to build the reputation it desires
Adapted Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm for Multi‑level Thresholding Image Segmentation: A case Study of chest X‑ray Images
(Springer, 2024) Otair, Mohammad; Abualigah, Laith; Tawfiq, Saif; Alshinwan, Mohammad; Ezugwu, Absalom E.; Zitar, Raed Abu; Sumari, Putra
Particularly in recent years, there has been increased interest in determining the ideal thresholding for picture segmentation. The best thresholding values are found using various techniques, including Otsu and Kapur-based techniques. These techniques work well for bilevel thresholding, but when used to find the appropriate thresholds for multi-level thresholding, there will be issues with long calculation times, high computational costs, and the need for accuracy improvements. This work investigates the capability of the Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm to discover the best multilayer thresholding for picture segmentation to circumvent this issue. The leading mathematical arithmetic operators’ distributional nature is used by the AOA method. The picture histogram was used to construct the candidate solutions in the modified algorithms, which were then updated according to the algorithm’s features. The solutions are evaluated using Otsu’s fitness function throughout the optimization process. The picture histogram is used to display the algorithm’s potential solutions. The proposed approach is tested on five frequent photos from the Berkeley University database. The fitness function, root-mean-squared error, peak signal-to-noise ratio, and other widely used assessment metrics were utilized to assess the performance of the suggested segmentation approach. Many benchmark pictures were employed to verify the suggested technique’s effectiveness and evaluate it against other well-known optimization methods described in the literature.
Water conservation by managers at the workplace: Examination of attitudes and behaviour using the theory of planned behaviour
(Elsevier, 2024) Palamuleni, Lobina, Gertrude; Che Nde, Samue; Du Plessis , Yvonne; Bakuwa, Rhoda, Cynthia
Understanding the behavioural drivers of water conservation in public spaces is essential for enhancing the effectiveness of water resources management and water use especially in water scarce environments. This study used the Theory of Planned Behaviour to determine the contributing factors of water conservation attitude and behaviour among managers at work. Data were collected from 72 managers at North-West University – Mahikeng, South Africa through self-administered survey questionnaire. Results showed that behaviour practices of reporting water leakages and closing taps were prevalent among the managers. Furthermore, positive correlations including length of service (r = 0.791); training on water issues (r = 0.542); gender (r = 0.509) and speaking about water conservation (r = 0.091) emerged as significant predictors of a water conservation attitude and behaviour. Promotion of water conservation attitude and behaviour through education and training would have a greater tendency among managers to conserve water at work.
Validating Inertia Assessment Metrics in Distribution Systems with High-RES Penetration
(North-West University (South Africa)., 2024) Frigo, Guglielmo; Negri, Virginia; Mingotti, Alessandro; Rens, Johan; Joubert, Theresa
The role of inertia in distribution networks is rapidly increasing. Many researchers are focused on ways to estimate, measure, and control inertia, as it has become a crucial parameter that provides valuable information for network management. However, the distribution network is not as stable and has many more nodes compared to the transmission network. Additionally, the distribution network is populated with various renewable energy sources. While this brings several advantages, such as reducing fossil fuel-based energy production and adjusting voltage in remote nodes of the network, it also significantly impacts the network's inertia due to the removal of rotating electrical assets in favor of renewable sources. To address this issue, the paper tests a new inertia metric on a section of a real network with significant presence of renewables. This metric, calculated using frequency and power measurements, demonstrates a strong capability to reflect the current state of inertia in the network. The paper concludes with a description of the network under consideration, the instrumentation used, and a brief uncertainty analysis.
Reforming Youthful Offenders: The Case of Diepkloof Reformatory School, 1935-1948
(Historical Association of South Africa, 2024) Modisane, C.
This article explores Alan Paton’s efforts towards turning a prison into a school, the task which he was given by the Union Education Department following numerous debates in parliament in 1934. The aim was to transfer all reformatory institutions for juveniles run by the Department of Prisons, to the Union Education Department. Equally important, this article focuses on Paton’s journey and experiences as the principal of Diepkloof Reformatory School from 1935 to 1948. The focus is on African juvenile offenders since Diepkloof Reformatory was the only reformatory for African boys in the Union and the continent of Africa until the 1960s. The account delves into the day-to-day lives of pupils who were sent to the Reformatory School by the Children’s Courts. Paton, driven by a vision of rehabilitation over punishment, introduced reforms emphasising education, skills training, and self-discipline. The article explores the day-to-day lives of the youth incarcerated at Diepkloof Reformatory, an angle that has received limited attention from historians and reformists. It also extends beyond the reformatory, addressing the release conditions, home suitability, and the struggles some boys experienced in reintegrating into society. Paton's vision to make Diepkloof a place of justice and opportunity faced setbacks, yet his influence left a lasting impact on others who found success after rehabilitation. The article studies primary sources and correspondence to provide an understanding of the rehabilitation efforts Paton made to turn this prison into a school and the recommendations made by the Board of Management towards smooth administration to ensure an effective rehabilitation process for the boys.