Browsing by Author "Boshoff, Stephanus Cornelius"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Knowledge utilisation in the South African wine industry
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-12) Boshoff, Stephanus Cornelius; Mouton, Johann; Stellenbosch University. Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The use of knowledge that is based on scientific research plays an important role in the development and international competitiveness of a country’s wine industry. In order for South Africa to effectively compete with other wine industries in the global market, and to ensure that it produces quality wines that can satisfy consumer demands and expectations, it needs to use the best of current research knowledge available. However, it is unknown to what extent South African winemakers are using knowledge based on scientific research, as well as where and how winemakers obtain knowledge, and how new knowledge is treated against the backdrop of a winemaker’s own experience and existing practice knowledge. The study, which addressed these broad questions, included a literature overview as well as a web-based survey of 210 winemakers in South Africa. Interviews were also conducted with six winemakers and three wine consultants. On the basis of the literature the key notions of “knowledge” and “utilisation” were unpacked. Knowledge was interpreted as either factual (know-that) or practical (know-how), and utilisation as a typology consisting of instrumental, conceptual, symbolic and persuasive utilisation. Insights from a body of literature not typically associated with winemaking, namely evidence-based medicine (EBM) and knowledge translation (KT), were also incorporated in the study. The study not only examined the frequency of using knowledge sources but also the relative importance of the different knowledge sources and the underlying structure of the sources (i.e. which sources group together). The results unequivocally showed that practical knowledge (i.e. knowledge that is exhibited in practice and which finds expression as moments of “common sense”, intuition, gut feeling etc.) is considered by many winemakers as extremely important for their winemaking. Opinions of fellow-winemakers also appeared to be an important knowledge source as about 46% of winemakers said that they seek advice from colleagues at least once a month and 57% rated these as of extreme importance for winemaking. Knowledge sources that are codified and publicly available, such as Wynboer in the industry-based WineLand magazine as well as the internet and winemaking textbooks and manuals, have grouped together and were considered as relatively important by winemakers. Overall the study produced evidence of the widespread use of scientific research findings, particularly conceptual use of research. The latter refers to a better understanding of certain aspects of winemaking that is based on scientific research. In addition, the elements of practical knowledge have also been explored within the context of winemaking. Additional insights were provided with regard to the relationship between practical and factual knowledge as well as the relationship between different conceptions of knowledge use, and how knowledge sources relate to knowledge use. The findings and subsequent insights generated undoubtedly apply beyond studies of the knowledge use of winemakers. Lastly, a key output of the study was to develop a normative model of knowledge uptake for winemakers. The proposed model combines practical knowledge and research-based factual knowledge in a single knowledge product destined for uptake by winemakers, in order to close the knowledge-to-practice gap.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Voorspellers van die verhoudingskwaliteit van gay mans
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1995-03) Boshoff, Stephanus Cornelius; Le Roux, J. A.; Kotze, H. F.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary objectives of the present research were to predict the quality of relationships of gay male couples, as well as those of the members of the couples, on the basis of chosen variables. These chosen variables were taken along an ecological framework, which took into account variables from a personal, psychological, interpersonal and social context. Five variables received wide coverage in the present research: The sexual behavioural status of the relationship, sex role self-concept, sex role behaviour, perceived social support from family and friends, and passing. Partner-homogamy was also an important variable in the present research. This resulted in differences in the chosen variables within couples being used to predict the quality of the relationships of gay male couples. A sample of 30 couples was obtained through advertisements in the local gay press. The sample comprised mostly middle and high-class whites who had been involved in well-functioning, long-lasting (:t 8 years) relationships and who had lived together. Each couple received by mail two identical sets of measuring instruments - one for each member of the couple - to complete independently from the other. The measuring instruments, which were all self-reporting scales, were the Biographical and Personal Questionnaire, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Bern Sex Role Inventory, the Shared Decision Making Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Being Known to Distant Others Scale, the Being Known to Significant Others Scale, and the Desire to Pass Scale. Results were obtained through statistical analysis with both the couples (N = 30) and the partners (N = 60) as the unit of analysis. When the respective results are viewed together, the most important correlates of the quality of relationships were an increase in the length of the relationship, a female self-concept among both partners, the viewing of shared decision making within the relationship, and overtly maintaining a gay lifestyle, together with partner-homogamy with regard to a female self-concept, perceived social support from friends, and the level of overtness concerning sexual preferences. Furthermore, it was important that psychological masculinity had to be vested in one member of the couple only. The most important predictors of the quality of well adjusted relationships were an increase in the length of the relationship, a female self-concept among both partners, the viewing of shared decision making in the relationship, little perceived social support from friends and family, and maintaining an overt gay lifestyle, together with the homogamy of partners towards perceived social support from friends, being known as gay to significant others, and the view of shared decision making in the relationship respectively. Furthermore, it was important that one of the members had to have previous experience of gay relationships. The greatest limitation of the present research was the small sample which resulted in low statistical power. The research has, however, made a contribution by shedding light on the functioning of gay male couples within the South African context.