NMMU business school alumni satisfaction factors with the MBA program
- Authors: Bosman, Jeremy Maurice
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Business schools -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Master of business administration degree , Students -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14686 , vital:27822
- Description: In a fast-paced dynamic world, the key to success lies in the ability to accept change and to rapidly respond to demands placed by ever increasing competitive environments. In business, the impact of products and services in meeting or exceeding customer’s expectations in such environments is measured by customer satisfaction and the importance thereof cannot be downplayed, thus providing management with a metric that guides and augments change. Subsequently, these dynamic competitive forces are pushing sectors such as Higher Education into the realm of service industries, where stakeholders such as students and alumni are viewed as customers. Correspondingly, measuring their satisfaction has become important as this provides strategic insight, whilst enhancing academic programmes and the student experience. The purpose of this research study was to identify the factors that determined satisfaction with the MBA programme as viewed by students and the alumni of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Business School. Furthermore, it advanced the field of stakeholder theory by identifying alumni as a key stakeholder in business schools. Consequently, the research was exploratory and consisted of quantitative and literature components where hypotheses were developed and relationships between factors analysed, in addition to the literature reviewed. The literature introduced key concepts to this study, such as alumni as stakeholder, alumni satisfaction, satisfaction with the MBA programme, measuring alumni satisfaction, MBA alumni networks and alumni communication. The factors that determined alumni satisfaction were identified by means of a statistical analysis of the data collected by the research instruments. Correspondingly, the findings indicate various factors determine satisfaction with the independent variables highlighted in this study, which are the Facilities, the MBA Programme, the Social Experience, the NMMU Business School Alumni Chapter, the NMMU Business School brand and Communication. Furthermore, it was established that there is a significant link between Social Experience, the NMMU Business School Alumni Chapter, the NMMU Business School Brand, Communication and Alumni Satisfaction.As services industries such as Higher Educational Institutions get exposed to competitive pressure, customer satisfaction comes to the fore and there are certain factors that need to be addressed to enhance satisfaction. Subsequently, this study highlights this pressure and satisfaction levels can certainly be improved by the institution across all the independent variables identified, especially in areas such as the NMMU Business School Alumni Chapter and Communication. Consequently, the NMMU Business School, for the first time have metrics to identify the factors that determine satisfaction with the MBA programme as viewed by their alumni and resultantly can strategically benefit by taking the views of their most important stakeholder into account.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Online consumers’ product purchasing behaviour, advertising and involvement in fashion consumption in South Africa
- Authors: De Vos, Tania
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Electronic commerce Retail trade -- South Africa -- Management , Purchasing Consumer behavior -- South Africa Clothing trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46295 , vital:39544
- Description: While store-based fashion retailing continues to be the prevailing channel for South Africans, the country’s consumers are increasingly engaging with products online. It should be noted that online fashion purchasing behaviour does not necessarily follow the traditional consumer behaviour of the brick-and-mortar retailing environment. Therefore, ecommerce organisations are required to investigate the determinants of customer online shopping engagement among their market segments. With an improved understanding of the consumer’s online purchase behaviour, pure-play fashion retailers can create useful and successful online shopping strategies to attract new and potential customers. Thus, the future market for this industry as well as factors influencing online behaviour must be investigated and improved upon. This research study aimed to present a general overview and analysis of how online fashion consumption can grow and be sustainable in South Africa. This was accomplished by identifying various key factors contributing toward online fashion consumption and purchasing behaviour, in creating an attractive online shopping environment, whilst generating more customers, building customer loyalty and increasing competitiveness. As in any retail business, customer satisfaction is the key component for online fashion success. The purpose of this study was to execute a novel assessment of online consumers’ product purchasing behaviour, as well as advertising and involvement in fashion consumption in the South African context. To achieve this purpose, an in-depth literature review and a positivistic research investigation were conducted. The selected method was the most appropriate approach to achieve the research objectives by answering the research questions as well as to test the proposed hypotheses in relation to The Perceived Success of Online Fashion Consumption (dependant variables). As mentioned, the study involved a deductive approach of the positivistic paradigm to identify online purchasing motivation and factors that can assist with indicating what the pure-play fashion interface needs to deliver to stay competitive and increase market presence. This research study is considerably valuable as data from 16087 respondents from the participating pure-play fashion retailer have been recorded and the results indicated that the proposed hypotheses were all supported, thus reporting a significant relationship and positive influence on the perceived success of online fashion consumption.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Plasma gasification for converting municipal solid waste to energy
- Authors: Serage, Noah Magonagone
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Recycling (Waste, etc.) -- South Africa Refuse and refuse disposal -- South Africa , Energy conversion -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20266 , vital:29166
- Description: In South Africa most of the municipal solid waste is currently removed and taken to land fill sites for engraving. A very small percentage of this is recycled due to lack of exploration of alternative means of further processing. In 2011 approximately 108 million tonnes of waste, mostly being general waste was generated in South Africa. Ninety eight (98) million tonnes of this waste was disposed of at landfill sites (The Department of Environmental Affairs [DEA], 2012). Environmental engineers are finding municipal solid waste management to be a challenge, similarly do the city planners and local administration. The main reason being the difficulty brought about by the complexity in composition of the waste material, no availability of waste minimization technologies and the scarcity of land for landfill sites and their environmental impact (Lal & Singh, 2012). Anyaegbunam (2013) recommend that there is a disposal technique that can convert most of the landfill waste at reduced amount of money to what is being paid on other disposal techniques nowadays, regardless of its form or composition and produce an excess of clean energy, and that technique is called Plasma Gasification which carries a high capability of being economically efficient. According to Young (2010), plasma arc Gasification is a high-temperature pyrolysis process whereby the organics of waste solids (carbon-based materials) are converted into syngas. The syngas can also be sent to gas turbines or reciprocating engines to produce electricity. Few of these plants exist in the world, however there is none in South Africa due to municipal budgetary constraints and lack of evidence for return on investment. Gasification can be described as a thermo-chemical process wherein carbonaceous or carbon-rich feed stocks, for instance tree trimmings or biomass, coal, and petro-coke are transformed into a complex gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide (and smaller quantities of carbon dioxide and other trace gases) under high pressure, oxygen exhausted, strong heat and/or steam environments (SRS Energy Solutions, 2016) The problem of electricity shortages continues to increase and communities are unable to cope with the continuous rising electricity bills. It is forecast that electricity demand will grow by approximately 85% and thereby reaching 31 700TWH (terawatt hours) in the year 2035. This growth rate is anticipated at an annual rate of 2.4% of which the economic and population growth will be the driving force, while on the other hand the daily increase of waste at landfill sites poses many problems with regards to the lifespan of the landfill in case green technological disposal processes are not introduced.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Revitalisation of the informal township economy in Mdantsane
- Authors: Dyantyi, Unathi Sisikelelwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Informal sector (Economics) -- South Africa -- Mdantsane Economic development -- South Africa -- Mdantsane
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15611 , vital:28276
- Description: The main focus of this study was to perform an assessment of viable and sustainable means of creating a vibrant and sustainable economy in the Mdantsane Township. In order to perform the assessment objectives were formulated which aimed at assessing whether the informal small business sector of Mdantsane was generating wealth and livelihoods for the people running them. The study also looked at whether the informal business sector is a preferred option by most South Africans or people in the townships would rather seek employment. A number of data collection methods were used in completing this study such as literature reviews and a semi-structured questionnaire. The study revealed that Local Economic development can be implemented in the townships in order to assist in stimulating a vibrant local township economy. The study also revealed that the central focus of Local Economic Development is to support the development, growth and retention of private or co-operative enterprises. The survey conducted in the study further revealed that most businesses in the township are driven by necessity in order for them to start their businesses mainly due to unemployment. These businesses all agreed on the significant role that Local Economic Development can play in assisting township entrepreneurs and communities to grow and prosper.
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- Date Issued: 2017
South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economy: skills availability implications
- Authors: Myeki, Pumla Qamisa
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Environmental economics -- South Africa , Environmental policy -- Developing countries Sustainable development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14157 , vital:27437
- Description: South Africa together with the rest of the world have been caught up in a new policy wave of developing policies that support the move towards sustainable, low-carbon and climate resilient economies. However, like any other transition, the social and economic impact of the new policy initiative towards a low-carbon economy is not yet fully understood, both in short- and long-term. While it is clear that the low carbon agenda presents major opportunities in terms of job creation, improved standard of living levels, improved resource consumption patterns as well as economic benefits. It also presents challenges, given the level of education and lack of skills for the installation, construction and operation of many technologies during the process of retrofitting the existing plants as well as infrastructures associated with the new low carbon agenda. The primary objective of this research study is to explore implications of skills availability in order to gain better understanding into the nature, extent and severity of skills shortage impact on the transition to a low-carbon economic future. The research study has revealed that shortage of skills may have a negative impact on the progress of the envisaged South Africa’s transition to a low-carbon economic growth trajectory. However, to varied factors, the study could not clearly articulate the nature, extent and severity of the skills shortages impact on the transition to a low-carbon economic future. These factors may include but not limited to the following: The concept of low-carbon economy is still a new concept with no universally agreed on definition, thus; leading uncertainties with regards to what it entails as well as policy dilemmas; Low-carbon economy is cross-cutting and cannot be clearly defined as a sector. With no clear sectorial boundaries it is difficult to plan for low-carbon economy sector; Skills shortage is chronic and is persistent but due to the fragmented and non-coherent approach by South African government when dealing with skills development. There are a number of reports by different departments on skills shortages but these reports do not talk to each other making it difficult to articulate at national level the nature, extent and severity of the challenge, due to scattered research. This research study has recommended some initiatives that the government of South Africa can consider in order to deal with uncertainties surrounding the low-carbon economy as well as the nature, extent and severity of skills shortages in South Africa. The study also suggested some possible future research interests that need to be pursued in order to develop useful data for decision makers both in the low-carbon economy and skills shortage space.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Strategies for advancing women into executive management positions
- Authors: Dlamini, Patricia Dollane
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Women executives -- South Africa Success in business -- South Africa , Sex role in the work environment -- South Africa Management -- Social aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15005 , vital:28112
- Description: Problem: In South Africa, women have not always had opportunities in society or the workplace due to historical discriminatory political and socio-economic policies and practices, including apartheid (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, 2011). Gender disparity at the top echelons of organisations is still prevalent, and the South African business landscape is not different despite progressive legislation promulgated in the late 90s when the democratic government took over. Aim of the study: The aim was to identify challenges faced by women when attempting to advance into executive positions and strategies that could assist them in this respect. Method: A literature study was conducted to establish what work had already been done in the field of gender studies and advancement of women in the corporate world. For the empirical study an interpretivist paradigm with a qualitative research approach was adopted. Interviews were conducted with ten women who were members of the Port Elizabeth branch of the Businesswomen's Association of South Africa (BWASA) and who were categorised as hopeful, emerging or already in executive positions. They were asked about the challenges they were facing or had experienced and the strategies that assisted or could assist them in advancing to an executive position. They were also asked to provide critical incidents with the view of enriching the data and gaining a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. Results: Gender-insensitive organisational policies, an unsupportive organisational culture and unknown barriers in selection emerged as key challenges experienced by the participants. Facilitative strategies that emerged included a supportive corporate culture, family support, an enabling supervisor and affiliation to professional bodies. Conclusion: Whilst a large pool of work has been done on the advancement of women, gender equality in corporate South Africa remained a challenge. This challenge should be addressed from a corporate, personal and professional perspective. Recommendations: An integrated organisational approach to this phenomenon is required which should include appropriate company policies, a supportive organisational culture and enabling supervisors. In addition, women should garner the support that their families provide and they could greatly benefit from affiliating to professional bodies.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Strategies to improve the representation of black women in senior levels within the South African banking industry
- Authors: Peacock, Brenda Thandiwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Women bankers -- South Africa Bank management -- Women -- South Africa , Women executives -- South Africa Leadership in women -- South Africa Minorities -- Employment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/19695 , vital:28936
- Description: The main purpose of this qualitative research study was to investigate strategies to improve the representation of black females in senior levels within the South African banking industry. This was done through investigating the challenges that black women face in their career advancement within the banking industry and the strategies which currently exist and can be implemented to improve this representation. In as much as the research is aimed at seeking strategies to improve black women representation in senior positions, it also seeks to understand the barriers experienced by black women in different levels within the industry as these levels serve as a pipeline for senior management. This problem was addressed through answering the research objectives. The research objectives were achieved through conducting a literature review to explore the existing research topic and conducting an empirical study. Empirical evidence was obtained through conducting semi-structured interviews with seven black women who are currently working in the banking sector. Semi-structured interviews were used due to the target population being specific to black women as well as the need to acquire in-depth knowledge from black women of their experiences in climbing the corporate ladder in the sector. The key findings of the research found that the participant’s perception was that black women were at the bottom, that black women were displaying behaviours that were inhibiting their progress to senior positions. The study also found that black women struggled to advance to senior positions due to different challenges that they encountered. The study is finalised by the participants providing recommendations in terms of how the representation of black women could be improved.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Successful delivery of an online higher education course: a quantitative management framework
- Authors: Burger, Dimitri
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Decision making -- Mathematical models Management -- Mathematical models , Management science Distance education -- South Africa -- Computer-assisted instruction Education, Higher
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14785 , vital:27850
- Description: South Africa has been experiencing several challenges regarding access to higher education, quality of higher education, effectiveness of higher education course delivery, and funding for higher education. In the higher education sector, the bulk of the burden is placed on traditional higher education institutions, most notably universities, in providing higher education to a growing youth base in dire need of education that supports their individual learning needs. With these challenges facing traditional universities, online higher education provided by both public sector higher education institutions and private sector education providers can act as a valuable alternative and solution to access for some of the population. Online education and face-to-face education differ considerably in how they deliver courses to students. Many have argued that these differences are in some cases attributable to strengths in face-to-face education and drawbacks or limitations in online education, large enough that they should serve as the criteria for selecting the former over the latter as the better mode of delivery. While there have been examples of online programmes that have failed to deliver courses successfully by underutilising or misusing the tools and techniques available, there are positive examples where these programmes perform equally as well as face-to-face courses. The defining difference is ultimately and often the management of these courses’ resources, activities, people, processes, and practices. Considering the above, and with examination of the available literature, a conceptual and theoretical framework was constructed and a quantitative research study was undertaken to prove the significant correlational relationships between elements of course delivery and a management framework to govern those elements. The sample consisted of 115 students from a postgraduate degree programme presented in two formats, online and on-campus. The findings provide evidence of significant relationships between the core functions of management as well as between aspects of course delivery, such as opportunities for interaction, opportunities for feedback, and course content in achieving learning outcomes for students and contributing to engagement. The findings also indicate positive perceptions from students in relation to the delivery of the courses.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Supplier development for competitive advantage in manufacturing small medium enterprises
- Authors: Makumbila, Louis Boy
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Competition -- South Africa Small business -- South Africa -- Management , Business planning -- South Africa Industrial management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18102 , vital:28576
- Description: Competitive advantage is crucial for a business to be sustainable, yet many small- and medium-sized enterprises are not engaging in supplier development in order to achieve a competitive advantage. This empirical study was conducted on a sample of 64 small- and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing industry in Kempton Park, Gauteng. The factors that influence engagement in supplier development were analysed to assess whether supplier development can lead to competitive advantage and other benefits. The findings indicate that supplier development can create and improve competitive advantage, as well as lead to other benefits. Four factors were found to have a relationship with supplier development, and therefore could influence the decision to take part in supplier development. Small- and medium-sized enterprises can use tools such as supplier development in order to be competitive and have an advantage over their competitors. The awareness of operational performance measures, competitive advantage, judgment of the absence or existence of trust, and a buyer’s relative power can all influence participation in supplier development.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Sustainable tourism opportunities for Mauritius
- Authors: Ternel, Maeva
- Date: 2017
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/6118 , vital:21046
- Description: Sustainable Tourism (ST) integrates governance, economic, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions of tourism in tourism development and management. Growing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) concerns suggest that traditionally, tourism tends to corrupt the very resources it needs to thrive, and thus its sustainability over the long haul has become of general concern. However, despite the vast and extensive literature dedicated to ST, including preeminent journals providing both a theoretical base and reliable empirical evidence to the subject, the concept of sustainability in tourism remains somehow at its embryonic stage, especially in the case of a small island developing state (SIDS). The research occurred within the context of the destination (Mauritius), with however, a focus on five sizeable Mauritian hotel groups. With tourism being one of the pillars of the Mauritian economy, this research intended to explore the different repercussions of such an industry. The aim of the research was to determine to what extent tourism’s operations and development, was appropriately managed in Mauritius by assessing the country’s current tourism situation relating to sustainability and identifying priority areas for intervention. This, was done using different tools, including the United Nations World Tourism Organisation's framework, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council's guidelines and the Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale. The contribution this research intended to make was to suggest sustainable tourism opportunities and make recommendations for the tourism sector and its stakeholders for the island of Mauritius. Overall, the research concluded that despite the increased importance of ST, the need for Managed Tourism (MT) and the formulation of general principles and guidelines, tourism governance; poverty reduction; and the sustainability of the natural and cultural environment were identified as areas of particular need and should be considered with high priority for intervention/action.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The contribution of reward systems to enhance employee engagement
- Authors: Liberty, Chantel Karen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Incentives in industry -- South Africa Employee motivation -- South Africa , Compensation management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18608 , vital:28691
- Description: Increasing competition within the freight transportation market in South Africa has intensified the need for rail industries to identify ways in which to enhance their competitiveness within this market. One of the most important challenges for organisations’ operating in this market is to deliver goods on time, while meeting the needs of customers, at the lowest possible cost. If such organisations are to remain competitive, it may be required of them to shift their focus to their employees. Research has shown that employees render organisations’ with sustainable competitive advantage, more specifically, it has shown that engaged employees surpass disengaged employees. The distinguishing factor for organisations’ in the search of competitive advantage would therefore be an engaged workforce. The primary research objective of this study was to investigate contribution of reward systems to enhanced employee engagement within Transnet Engineering (TE) in Swartkops, Port Elizabeth. A theoretical overview was conducted to evaluate different definitions, engagement theories and factors of reward systems which contribute to enhanced employee engagement. An empirical study was conducted by means of a survey with a questionnaire as data collecting tool. The purpose of the structured questionnaire was to validate the findings obtained from the theoretical overview and to assess employees’ perceptions of reward systems and engagement. Recommendations were made based on the findings of the literature and empirical study. These recommendations will assist the organisation in understanding how reward systems can be used to enhance employee engagement, so that a competitive advantage can be achieved within the freight transportation market.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The determinants of service delivery success in local government: the case of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Terblanche, Venessa Hayley
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Municipal services -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Local government -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Government productivity -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Performance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20774 , vital:29388
- Description: Section 153 of the Constitution of South Africa (RSA, 1996) states that “a municipality must structure and manage its administration, budgeting and planning process to give priority to the needs of the community and to promote the social and economic development of the community”. Despite this mandate placed on local government, De Wet and Moseki (2015, p. 61) write that insurgent South Africans engage in violent protests against continued “municipal ineffectiveness in service delivery, poor responsiveness to citizens’ grievances, and a conspicuous consumption entailed by a culture of self-enrichment on the part of councillors and staff”. The Department of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA ) (2014) identify huge service delivery backlogs, poor communication and accountability relationships with communities, corruption and fraud, poor financial management and insufficient municipal capacity as a result of lack of scarce skills as some of the priority areas impacting hardest on the municipality’s ability to function as a well-performing municipality. Mpofu and Hlatywayo (2015) report that poor performance by workers in local government has been established as one of the major issues affecting the efficient provision of municipal services by municipalities. It thus follows that the performance and conduct of municipal employees need to be improved in order to improve the delivery of basic services to the communities they are to serve. Hanyane and Naidoo (2015) hold the view that without proper service delivery, the achievement of good governance and the effective use of public resources will remain elusive. The primary objective of this study was to contribute to improving the levels of service delivery at a selected municipality by identifying which factors the employees of the municipality consider most effective in improving their levels of service delivery within the organisation. A questionnaire was structured and used to conduct a survey with 65 middle-level managers, senior-level supervisors, middle-level supervisors and operational staff.The study concluded that talent management and retention strategies were the only independent variable that proved to have a significant positive relationship with service delivery within the selected municipality.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The determinants of tender opportunities in consulting engineering firms in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Viljoen, Dirk Johannes
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Tender offers (Securities) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Consulting engineers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Engineering firms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14102 , vital:27426
- Description: Management of an engineering consultancy unit in the Eastern Cape Province is concerned about the costs incurred by project managers and specialist engineers pursuing tender opportunities that are not feasible. Annual losses in this unit due to unsuccessful tenders amounts to R2,5 million annually, which equates to about 12% of the revenue generated by the unit. The aim of the research study is to assist the consulting engineering firm by investigating and identifying the key determinants for making the decision of whether to bid on a particular tender opportunity. The study includes an assessment of relevant literature, academia and text to investigate key factors that could influence the decision to bid on tenders from which research questions and appropriate theories were drawn. Based on the research questions and theories that emanated from the literature, the study also includes the assessment of primary data through the administration of a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire is empirically analysed within the positivistic research paradigm through the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made based on the findings of the administered questionnaire.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The effectiveness of the strategic decision-making process in an automotive multinational company
- Authors: Naidoo, Kushen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Strategic planning Decision making , Automobile industry and trade
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50055 , vital:41997
- Description: Strategic decision-making has become a crucial part of running an organisation as a result of globalisation. When large multinational companies grow over time there will need to be an emphasis on making effective strategic decisions in order to operate the multinational successfully. Currently most of the strategic decisions are made at the parent company within ABC Automotive. The aim of this study was to determine what decisions could be made by the local subsidiary instead of decisions being made at the parent company. The objective of this paper was compiled in order to investigate the effectiveness of the strategic decision-making process within an automotive multinational company by gathering relevant information through specified communication channels. This study follows a case study format of ABC Automotive based in South Africa. The study focuses on describing the decision-making process in an automotive multinational company with an emphasis on centralised and decentralised strategic decision-making processes. This is supported by defining the steering department of the automotive multinational company under the study called ABC Automotive. From the literature reviewed this study focusses on main strategic key decisions which are; financial; production; marketing; operational; employment; personnel; and research and development. The study is then concluded with recommendations made by the researcher based on the literature review and the empirical study. The recommendations include the description of which decisions ABC Automotive is able to make at the local subsidiary as opposed to decisions being made at the parent company.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of companies overlooking organisational culture when partnering with outsourced service providers
- Authors: Ngece, Unathi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Corporate culture Contracting out
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20031 , vital:29068
- Description: An organisation‟s primary purpose is to be profitable as well as having the ability to sustain that profitability in a sometimes volatile environment. When businesses are able to achieve this they may have the ability to always be a step ahead of their competitors. It is therefore critical to structure an organisation in such a way that yields positive results. Outsourcing a part of a business is not new phenomenon and is practised by a number of organisations. Outsourcing is a strategy that business undertake in order to cost save, for better performance and quality as well as having a higher degree flexibility. However organisations fail to consider a critical factor when outsourcing which is organisational culture. A strong culture in the organisation is often intangible and this would keep competitors guessing why the organisation is so profitable. When highlighting culture as one of the most critical factors prior to embarking on outsourcing may ensure a smoother integration and transition between the parent organisation and the outsourced partner. The purpose of this study is to assist organisations to consider organisational culture as one of the most critical factors prior to embarking on outsourcing. This will enable the organisation to understand the compatibility of the two companies which will ultimately determine the success or failure of the business. The aim is to investigate the impact of organisational culture on organisational performance, leadership, employee performance and organisational culture as a source of competitive advantage. An empirical study conducted in the literature produced a sample size of 63 employees from a multinational firm in the Eastern Cape region. The data assists in understanding if there is a culture or not and how it has impacted on the performance of the organisation. The main findings and recommendations to management are presented in the study should companies embark on outsourcing initiatives they need to consider organisational culture as one of the critical factors in order to ensure that they are successful for decades to come.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of leadership on talent retention: exploring gender and generational cohort’s psychological contract issues
- Authors: Vasi, Lee-Anne
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Age and employment -- South Africa , Leadership -- South Africa -- Management Employee retention -- South Africa Organizational commitment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20066 , vital:29101
- Description: If the early nineties were concerned about a “rapidly changing business environment,” business in the twenty first century should be deeply paranoid about the future of business as we know it (Pieterse et al., 2009, p.1). Both global and national political factors has impacted the economy to epidemic negative heights. For companies to survive, its leadership requires a strand of resilience that sustains operations like never before. This can only be reached through the workforce. The question can thus be asked, how does one optimally use the gifting of each employee to impact the sustained operation of the organisation? The aim of this study is to determine the impact of leadership on talent retention: exploring gender and generational cohort’s psychological contract issues. The target population for the study consisted of 711 (n) employed South African executive MBA professionals within various industry sectors, namely, Management, Finance, Engineering, Information Technology and Accounting sectors, dispersed at various levels within their respective organisations, representing various Provinces, predominantly from the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng. 55 percent were male respondents and 45 percent were female respondents. 34% of the respondents’ age group were located in the category Generation-Y (respondents aged 25 – 34 years) and 30% of the respondents’ were located in the category Generation-X (respondents aged 35 – 44 years). The results showed that job insecurity was not statistically significantly related to employee engagement and turnover intention. Leadership empowerment behaviour contributed statistically significantly to employee engagement and low turnover intention. The research populations’ current experience depicts strong opportunities for personal development and work satisfaction, with moderate financial fulfilment. There is furthermore a strong relationship between leadership and retention.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of leadership on talent retention: exploring gender and generational cohort’s psychological contract issues
- Authors: Vasi, Lee-Anne
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Age and employment -- South Africa , Leadership -- South Africa -- Management Employee retention -- South Africa Organizational commitment -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/20077 , vital:29096
- Description: If the early nineties were concerned about a “rapidly changing business environment,” business in the twenty first century should be deeply paranoid about the future of business as we know it (Pieterse et al., 2009, p.1). Both global and national political factors has impacted the economy to epidemic negative heights. For companies to survive, its leadership requires a strand of resilience that sustains operations like never before. This can only be reached through the workforce. The question can thus be asked, how does one optimally use the gifting of each employee to impact the sustained operation of the organisation? The aim of this study is to determine the impact of leadership on talent retention: exploring gender and generational cohort’s psychological contract issues. The target population for the study consisted of 711 (n) employed South African executive MBA professionals within various industry sectors, namely, Management, Finance, Engineering, Information Technology and Accounting sectors, dispersed at various levels within their respective organisations, representing various Provinces, predominantly from the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng. 55 percent were male respondents and 45 percent were female respondents. 34% of the respondents’ age group were located in the category Generation-Y (respondents aged 25 – 34 years) and 30% of the respondents’ were located in the category Generation-X (respondents aged 35 – 44 years). The results showed that job insecurity was not statistically significantly related to employee engagement and turnover intention. Leadership empowerment behaviour contributed statistically significantly to employee engagement and low turnover intention. The research populations’ current experience depicts strong opportunities for personal development and work satisfaction, with moderate financial fulfilment. There is furthermore a strong relationship between leadership and retention.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of Retail Distribution Review (RDR) on the South African financial planning industry
- Authors: Faul, Charmaine Hester
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Financial planning industry -- South Africa Financial services industry -- South Africa , Financial services industry -- Law and legislation -- South Africa Corporate governance -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15193 , vital:28177
- Description: The Retail Distribution Review (RDR) was introduced by the Financial Services Board (FSB) to change the distribution and remuneration practices in the financial services industry in an attempt to ensure that clients receive fair treatment when purchasing financial products. The FSB aims to ensure that clients are sold products which are suitable for their financial needs and objectives; that clients receive appropriate advice which is not biased and not subject to product supplier influence in particular and that there is full transparency in the sales process. The current distribution of financial products and some financial advisor remuneration models are noted as contributing factors to the poor outcomes of current product selling practices. The impact of RDR on the sustainability of the South African financial services industry and advisor force is expected to be substantial, especially in terms of advisor remuneration, the reduction in qualified experienced advisors and a growing advice gap. This study reviewed the research conducted in the UK and Australia where RDR has been implemented and the impact thereof on the financial planning industry in these countries. This study aimed to determine if the South African advisors have started changing their business models to ensure that they are ready for the implementation of RDR and to reduce the impact of RDR on their practices. An environmental scan was conducted in order to identify and understand other factors specific to the South African context which will impact the financial services industry in the future. Research was conducted via online questionnaires as well as personal interviews to determine the perception of clients pertaining to the trustworthiness and professionalism of financial advisors and what they perceive as value in terms of financial planning, their knowledge of RDR and the changing environment. Industry experts were given the opportunity to share their views regarding the impact of RDR on the industry as well as their proposals in terms of the implementation and roll-out of RDR.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The impact of world class manufacturing implementation at element 6, Springs
- Authors: Maqutyana, Sakumzi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Industrial management -- South Africa , Production management -- South Africa Manufacturing processes -- South Africa Competition -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/18540 , vital:28662
- Description: The manufacturing environment is competitive and the competitiveness manifests itself in the market place. On the other hand, the customers are demanding a range of high quality products at low costs. Organisations pursue, and obtain, competitive advantage by abandoning the outdated traditional manufacturing methods and practising comprehensive approaches, such as World Class Manufacturing (WCM), which enable effective and efficient internal processes. These will, in turn, ensure that customer demands are met or exceeded. The challenge lies in measuring the effectiveness of the implementation of such a WCM approach. This paper provides an overview of the effective World Class Manufacturing measuring metrics, as implemented at Element Six South Africa. There are common KP’s that are recommended in the literature as being the ones that measure the impact of WCM in an organisation. To establish this, a survey was conducted using the employees of Element Six at Springs. The reason for selecting this company is because it has been on a world class journey for the past five years. Three groups of employees, made up of shop-floor employees, general staff and management, were targeted. From the distributed questionnaires, a total of 40 questionnaires were received. The empirical results from these variables showed no difference in their means when it comes to the measured KPI’s.
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- Date Issued: 2017
The influence of a leader’s perceived organisational politics on employee behaviours and the moderating effect of cultural intelligence
- Authors: Pienaar, Stephanus De Wet
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Leadership -- South Africa Business and politics -- South Africa , Organizational behavior Diversity in the workplace
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14488 , vital:27663
- Description: Modern day workforces are governed by political environments which are a precursor to the formation of perceptions that are generated by employees regarding their leader’s political activities. These perceptions include the views that leaders more often than not indulge in self-seeking political behaviour. Employees who are forced to deal with these politically charged environments often find that their perceptions dictate their respective behaviours as their ethical beliefs and values are continuously challenged by leaders who abuse their authority in an attempt to promote personal gain. South Africa is known for its diverse workforce and tense political environments and cultural intelligence is an aspect that could well enhance the employee / employer relationship. It is felt that a leader’s cultural intelligence could be instrumental in moderating employee perceptions of organisational politics and their respective behaviours. It is against this backdrop that an empirical study was formulated by making use of a hypothetical model for the purposes of extrapolating evidential data required to draw conclusions and make recommendations to leadership regarding the impact that perceptions of organisational politics might have on employee behaviours and to test whether or not cultural intelligence has a moderating effect on these relations.
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- Date Issued: 2017