Continuous professional development for medical sales representatives: a needs assessment
- Authors: Heleta, Jade Lana
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Career development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46366 , vital:39576
- Description: Employees in any industry need to continuously update their skills in order to be knowledgeable and competitive. Conducting a needs assessment plays an instrumental role in ensuring that continuous professional development (CPD) training is relevant to the target audience. In many organisations, however, CPD training programmes are often planned and delivered without a comprehensive needs assessment first being undertaken. This was a quantitative study that used a descriptive survey design and an online survey tool for data collection and analysis. Using an all-inclusive sample, the purpose of this study was to explore and describe CPD needs of medical sales representatives at an international medical devices company that operates in South Africa. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Research findings are depicted in frequencies, percentages, tables and figures. The findings of the study reveal specific training needs of the respondents and the shortcomings of the existing CPD offerings. The findings show that the CPD training offered by the company under study is mostly product specific and about sales. The respondents have highlighted that they would like to see more practical training to be incorporated into the CPD training programmes. It was also noted that the respondents would like to provide more input into the training programmes that are being offered by the company under study. The study has also identified areas where the company can improve in order to make these CPD training opportunities a more satisfying, educational and developmental experience for the employees. While the study focuses on one company, findings are relevant for other similar companies, as well as companies in other industries, since CPD at the workplace is a necessity in any competitive business environment or industry in order to increase productivity, sales, staff retention and customer satisfaction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Heleta, Jade Lana
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Career development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46366 , vital:39576
- Description: Employees in any industry need to continuously update their skills in order to be knowledgeable and competitive. Conducting a needs assessment plays an instrumental role in ensuring that continuous professional development (CPD) training is relevant to the target audience. In many organisations, however, CPD training programmes are often planned and delivered without a comprehensive needs assessment first being undertaken. This was a quantitative study that used a descriptive survey design and an online survey tool for data collection and analysis. Using an all-inclusive sample, the purpose of this study was to explore and describe CPD needs of medical sales representatives at an international medical devices company that operates in South Africa. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Research findings are depicted in frequencies, percentages, tables and figures. The findings of the study reveal specific training needs of the respondents and the shortcomings of the existing CPD offerings. The findings show that the CPD training offered by the company under study is mostly product specific and about sales. The respondents have highlighted that they would like to see more practical training to be incorporated into the CPD training programmes. It was also noted that the respondents would like to provide more input into the training programmes that are being offered by the company under study. The study has also identified areas where the company can improve in order to make these CPD training opportunities a more satisfying, educational and developmental experience for the employees. While the study focuses on one company, findings are relevant for other similar companies, as well as companies in other industries, since CPD at the workplace is a necessity in any competitive business environment or industry in order to increase productivity, sales, staff retention and customer satisfaction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Causes of road projects’ delays: a case of Blantyre
- Authors: Mwamvani, Henry Duncan John
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Management , Engineering -- Management Project management Building -- Planning Building -- Superintendance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41719 , vital:36575
- Description: The Construction Industry (CI) is recognised as a formidable sector that has the potential of facilitating the growth and development of a nation’s economy by providing the necessary infrastructure that is required to spur the growth of other industries. In many countries, such as Malawi, the city councils (CCs) also influence the implementation and management of such infrastructure as mandated by the Malawi Local Government Act (1998). Successful projects should be implemented in such a manner that completion of the projects is within the golden triangle of cost, time and quality. This implies that projects are completed within the planned budget, stipulated time and specified quality. City Councils in Malawi, however, face various challenges in their implementation of infrastructure projects leading to delayed project completion, resulting in extended project implementation periods. This study aimed at finding the causes of road projects construction delays in Blantyre City Council, (BCC) which is one of the four CCs in Malawi, the second largest and the commercial capital. The study followed a qualitative research method using a case study approach. This study combined in-depth, face-to-face interviews of identified stakeholders with general routine work observations and project document gathering to collect the primary data while secondary data was obtained from books, research journal articles, government documents, unpublished theses, some international organisation reports, general internet information and other academic related sources of relevant information. The participants included council representatives (council service committee chairperson, secretariat management staff), contractors’ representatives and consultants’ representatives. The participants were chosen using a non-probability sampling method of purposive and snowball selection, targeting their involvement in the previous and/or the current project implementation cycles. The study also involved visiting some of the ongoing and completed projects and collecting project photographs. The findings from the case study revealed challenges the council faced due to a shortage of engineers in conducting detailed proposed projects surveys resulting in incomplete project scope definition (detailed designs) on some projects, before the procurement of contractors as the major cause of project construction delays. Other factors that were identified were: service providers delaying the removal of existing public utility infrastructure from project sites, inclement weather and the client delays in issuing instructions to the contractors during the implementation of the projects. Another factor was the shortage of construction equipment and construction materials by some contractors. Based on the research findings, the main recommendation is to increase the number of technical employees, especially engineers and other key technical staff such as quantity surveyors by improving the employees’ conditions of service. Improving the service conditions will attract and retain the right quality and quantity of technical employees to undertake the management of the construction projects. Alternatively, all positions for professionals who are deemed as scarce or hard to maintain could be placed on a contract basis, renewable after a period of two to three years. This would be able to attract those professionals who are ready to offer their expertise for a certain period but may not necessarily want to work until the government mandatory retirement. This will be in addition to the engagement of external project consultants to assist in project management, which the council started implementing in 2017. As for the delay in the removal of utility services infrastructure on proposed project sites, the client needs to commence with the process early in the planning and procurement process before handing over the project sites to the contractors. General contractor delay causes can be minimised by raising the selection criteria of contractors to flush out as well as black-listing incompetent contractors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Mwamvani, Henry Duncan John
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Construction industry -- Management , Engineering -- Management Project management Building -- Planning Building -- Superintendance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41719 , vital:36575
- Description: The Construction Industry (CI) is recognised as a formidable sector that has the potential of facilitating the growth and development of a nation’s economy by providing the necessary infrastructure that is required to spur the growth of other industries. In many countries, such as Malawi, the city councils (CCs) also influence the implementation and management of such infrastructure as mandated by the Malawi Local Government Act (1998). Successful projects should be implemented in such a manner that completion of the projects is within the golden triangle of cost, time and quality. This implies that projects are completed within the planned budget, stipulated time and specified quality. City Councils in Malawi, however, face various challenges in their implementation of infrastructure projects leading to delayed project completion, resulting in extended project implementation periods. This study aimed at finding the causes of road projects construction delays in Blantyre City Council, (BCC) which is one of the four CCs in Malawi, the second largest and the commercial capital. The study followed a qualitative research method using a case study approach. This study combined in-depth, face-to-face interviews of identified stakeholders with general routine work observations and project document gathering to collect the primary data while secondary data was obtained from books, research journal articles, government documents, unpublished theses, some international organisation reports, general internet information and other academic related sources of relevant information. The participants included council representatives (council service committee chairperson, secretariat management staff), contractors’ representatives and consultants’ representatives. The participants were chosen using a non-probability sampling method of purposive and snowball selection, targeting their involvement in the previous and/or the current project implementation cycles. The study also involved visiting some of the ongoing and completed projects and collecting project photographs. The findings from the case study revealed challenges the council faced due to a shortage of engineers in conducting detailed proposed projects surveys resulting in incomplete project scope definition (detailed designs) on some projects, before the procurement of contractors as the major cause of project construction delays. Other factors that were identified were: service providers delaying the removal of existing public utility infrastructure from project sites, inclement weather and the client delays in issuing instructions to the contractors during the implementation of the projects. Another factor was the shortage of construction equipment and construction materials by some contractors. Based on the research findings, the main recommendation is to increase the number of technical employees, especially engineers and other key technical staff such as quantity surveyors by improving the employees’ conditions of service. Improving the service conditions will attract and retain the right quality and quantity of technical employees to undertake the management of the construction projects. Alternatively, all positions for professionals who are deemed as scarce or hard to maintain could be placed on a contract basis, renewable after a period of two to three years. This would be able to attract those professionals who are ready to offer their expertise for a certain period but may not necessarily want to work until the government mandatory retirement. This will be in addition to the engagement of external project consultants to assist in project management, which the council started implementing in 2017. As for the delay in the removal of utility services infrastructure on proposed project sites, the client needs to commence with the process early in the planning and procurement process before handing over the project sites to the contractors. General contractor delay causes can be minimised by raising the selection criteria of contractors to flush out as well as black-listing incompetent contractors.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
An assessment of the nature and implementation of markerting strategies of selected Eastern Cape Non-Government Organisations
- Authors: Madinda, Ncumisa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8849 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020114
- Description: This dissertation is an assessment of the nature and implementation of marketing strategies of selected Eastern Cape non-government organisations. Poverty alleviation and service delivery remain the major focus of the South African government, after nineteen years of democracy (post-apartheid era). One of the civil societies that is key in working with the government in alleviating poverty and looking after the interests of the poor and marginalised individuals within the society is non-government organisations (NGOs). NGOs are organisations that are voluntary, independent, not-for-profit, and not self-serving in aims and related values. In August 1995, NGOs moved very quickly to establish the South African NGO Coalition (Sangoco). This was as a result of the Non-Profit Organisations Act 1997. Government reorganised the political environment for NGOs. They were provided with access to the fourth chamber of the National Economic Labour and Development Council, - the country's premier corporatist-style consensus-building agency, - on condition that such representation occurs through a single body. Sangoco now serves as a representative umbrella body for approximately 6,000 affiliated NGOs. Sangoco's primary role is that of advancing the interests of the poor. It is also concerned with developing an enabling environment for the NGO sector and providing an arena for mutual monitoring. Even though the Non-Profit Organisations Act opened the doors for NGOs to raise funds freely and also obtain allowances from the government, the bureaucratisation and commercialisation of NGOs made it almost impossible to access these funds, hence, most NGOs today are closing down. A literature review was conducted to determine what theory reveals about strategic marketing for profit organisations. Furthermore, how the marketing principles that are used in businesses can be implemented to ensure sustainability of non-profit organisations. The empirical study was conducted through questionnaires and interviews with the management of the NGOs. In Chapter 4 of this study findings are presented and in Chapter 5 recommendations are made. Further studies can be conducted to determine some of the areas that the NGOs can improve on, in order to run an effective and efficient non-profit organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Madinda, Ncumisa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Branding (Marketing) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Economic assistance -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8849 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020114
- Description: This dissertation is an assessment of the nature and implementation of marketing strategies of selected Eastern Cape non-government organisations. Poverty alleviation and service delivery remain the major focus of the South African government, after nineteen years of democracy (post-apartheid era). One of the civil societies that is key in working with the government in alleviating poverty and looking after the interests of the poor and marginalised individuals within the society is non-government organisations (NGOs). NGOs are organisations that are voluntary, independent, not-for-profit, and not self-serving in aims and related values. In August 1995, NGOs moved very quickly to establish the South African NGO Coalition (Sangoco). This was as a result of the Non-Profit Organisations Act 1997. Government reorganised the political environment for NGOs. They were provided with access to the fourth chamber of the National Economic Labour and Development Council, - the country's premier corporatist-style consensus-building agency, - on condition that such representation occurs through a single body. Sangoco now serves as a representative umbrella body for approximately 6,000 affiliated NGOs. Sangoco's primary role is that of advancing the interests of the poor. It is also concerned with developing an enabling environment for the NGO sector and providing an arena for mutual monitoring. Even though the Non-Profit Organisations Act opened the doors for NGOs to raise funds freely and also obtain allowances from the government, the bureaucratisation and commercialisation of NGOs made it almost impossible to access these funds, hence, most NGOs today are closing down. A literature review was conducted to determine what theory reveals about strategic marketing for profit organisations. Furthermore, how the marketing principles that are used in businesses can be implemented to ensure sustainability of non-profit organisations. The empirical study was conducted through questionnaires and interviews with the management of the NGOs. In Chapter 4 of this study findings are presented and in Chapter 5 recommendations are made. Further studies can be conducted to determine some of the areas that the NGOs can improve on, in order to run an effective and efficient non-profit organization.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Investigating the relationship between discipline and student performance in the schools of Kwanobuhle township: 'The discipline factor'
- Authors: Vaaltein, Lawana David
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: School discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8310 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020035
- Description: Indiscipline in schools has been so pervasive that in many instances, learning and teaching have become difficult, if not impossible. There are so many reports of indiscipline in schools that school authorities are continuously trying to find solutions to this catastrophic phenomenon. It is believed that the lack of discipline in schools is a major contributing factor to the failure rate and poor performance of learners. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether indiscipline in township schools has a negative impact on the performance of learners in those schools. There are reports that there is an unacceptable and ruinous level of indiscipline therein. The targeted participants in the research are principals and educators from five senior secondary schools of KwaNobuhle Township, Uitenhage. The participants were purposely selected because of their many years of teaching experience and working with learners. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect data from participants. Data collection instruments consisted of interviews done with participants and questionnaires filled in by the aforementioned stakeholders. This evidence showed that there are many learning and teaching hours lost due to direct indiscipline and dealing with discipline. This subsequently renders learning and teaching ineffective. It is obvious that, once teaching and learning is ineffective, this will, definitely result in the poor performance of learners and high rate of failure. The study recommends that serious and urgent steps must be taken to minimize or eradicate the menace of indiscipline in these schools as soon as possible. Indiscipline cannot be ignored or taken lightly because there are already so many other structural misfortunes in the education system that are stumbling blocks to the academic achievements of township learners, namely, socio-economic conditions, crime, drugs, alcohol and unemployment. As long as discipline is a problem in the township schools, learners will perpetuate to perform poorly and the failure rate in these schools will rise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Vaaltein, Lawana David
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: School discipline
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8310 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020035
- Description: Indiscipline in schools has been so pervasive that in many instances, learning and teaching have become difficult, if not impossible. There are so many reports of indiscipline in schools that school authorities are continuously trying to find solutions to this catastrophic phenomenon. It is believed that the lack of discipline in schools is a major contributing factor to the failure rate and poor performance of learners. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether indiscipline in township schools has a negative impact on the performance of learners in those schools. There are reports that there is an unacceptable and ruinous level of indiscipline therein. The targeted participants in the research are principals and educators from five senior secondary schools of KwaNobuhle Township, Uitenhage. The participants were purposely selected because of their many years of teaching experience and working with learners. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect data from participants. Data collection instruments consisted of interviews done with participants and questionnaires filled in by the aforementioned stakeholders. This evidence showed that there are many learning and teaching hours lost due to direct indiscipline and dealing with discipline. This subsequently renders learning and teaching ineffective. It is obvious that, once teaching and learning is ineffective, this will, definitely result in the poor performance of learners and high rate of failure. The study recommends that serious and urgent steps must be taken to minimize or eradicate the menace of indiscipline in these schools as soon as possible. Indiscipline cannot be ignored or taken lightly because there are already so many other structural misfortunes in the education system that are stumbling blocks to the academic achievements of township learners, namely, socio-economic conditions, crime, drugs, alcohol and unemployment. As long as discipline is a problem in the township schools, learners will perpetuate to perform poorly and the failure rate in these schools will rise.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
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