Social enterprises, social value and job creation in Cape Town
- Authors: Amm, Kathryn Leigh
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Job creation -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9036 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1260 , Job creation -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Description: Social enterprises are organisations which seek to meet social needs whilst generating their own financial returns. They are becoming increasingly important in South Africa as their approach is not dependent on philanthropy and is therefore largely self-sustainable. Meeting social needs can happen in many ways, but bottom up approaches, which are driven by the poor through providing access to satisifers for fundamental needs are becoming increasingly important. The impact which social enterprises have is not clearly understood and is seldom measured. There is a need to develop tools which are able to portray the social value of these impacts. This study seeks to explore the impact of three social enterprises in Cape Town. The study focuses on the social value of job creation, a pressing need across South Africa, and a social return common to all three enterprises. The study found that a primary concern for staff was job security and earning a decent wage, and without this as a starting point other social returns are minimised. Camaraderie and a sense pride are two important social returns which are also produced. The study also showed that producing social returns must be an intentional activity, and involves a process of negotiation and understanding the needs and values of different stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Amm, Kathryn Leigh
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Job creation -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9036 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1260 , Job creation -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa -- Cape Town , Economic development -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Cape Town
- Description: Social enterprises are organisations which seek to meet social needs whilst generating their own financial returns. They are becoming increasingly important in South Africa as their approach is not dependent on philanthropy and is therefore largely self-sustainable. Meeting social needs can happen in many ways, but bottom up approaches, which are driven by the poor through providing access to satisifers for fundamental needs are becoming increasingly important. The impact which social enterprises have is not clearly understood and is seldom measured. There is a need to develop tools which are able to portray the social value of these impacts. This study seeks to explore the impact of three social enterprises in Cape Town. The study focuses on the social value of job creation, a pressing need across South Africa, and a social return common to all three enterprises. The study found that a primary concern for staff was job security and earning a decent wage, and without this as a starting point other social returns are minimised. Camaraderie and a sense pride are two important social returns which are also produced. The study also showed that producing social returns must be an intentional activity, and involves a process of negotiation and understanding the needs and values of different stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Staff turnover at selected government hospitals
- Authors: Mdindela, Sindiswa Victoria
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Personnel management , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9382 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1191 , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Personnel management , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that impact on staff turnover and strategies that organisations can use to curtail staff turnover. To achieve this goal the following procedure was followed. An overview of theories related to staff turnover was conducted to identify what staff turnover is. Also the consequences of staff turnover, the classification and measurement of staff turnover and the broad theoretical explanation of staff turnover were investigated. The current brain drain experienced in the medical field was explored. A literature study was also conducted focusing on individual, job, organisational and environmental factors that influence staff turnover and strategies that managers can utilise to reduce staff turnover. Interviews were conducted with the chief executive officer and one doctor at Hewu hospital. Interviews were also conducted among senior nurses. An empirical study was undertaken to determine individual, job, organisational and environmental factors that impacted on staff turnover among doctors and nurses at Bisho and Hewu Hospitals. The strategies that were utilised at these hospitals to retain doctors and nurses were also investigated. Suggestions were made for addressing factors that could impact on staff turnover among doctors and nurses and strategies that could be utilised to retain staff. These strategies include: Getting people off to a good start, Create a great environment with bosses whom people respect, Share information, Give people as much autonomy as they can handle and Challenge people to stretch. iii Staff turnover is an issue that many South African organisations are currently facing and an issue that is especially affecting the medical field. Various factors, especially job and organisational factors, are not adequately addressed and these could lead to a high rate of staff turnover. It is clear that organisations should have a human resource strategic plan in order for them to effectively select, retain, train and develop employees. Health Care organisation could use the strategies identified in this study as a mechanism to benchmark how well they manage staff turnover. It is therefore important that the management of hospitals should strive to identify the underlying causes of labour turnover in their organisations and formulate strategies to address the problem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Mdindela, Sindiswa Victoria
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Personnel management , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9382 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1191 , Labor turnover -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hospitals -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Personnel management , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employee motivation -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that impact on staff turnover and strategies that organisations can use to curtail staff turnover. To achieve this goal the following procedure was followed. An overview of theories related to staff turnover was conducted to identify what staff turnover is. Also the consequences of staff turnover, the classification and measurement of staff turnover and the broad theoretical explanation of staff turnover were investigated. The current brain drain experienced in the medical field was explored. A literature study was also conducted focusing on individual, job, organisational and environmental factors that influence staff turnover and strategies that managers can utilise to reduce staff turnover. Interviews were conducted with the chief executive officer and one doctor at Hewu hospital. Interviews were also conducted among senior nurses. An empirical study was undertaken to determine individual, job, organisational and environmental factors that impacted on staff turnover among doctors and nurses at Bisho and Hewu Hospitals. The strategies that were utilised at these hospitals to retain doctors and nurses were also investigated. Suggestions were made for addressing factors that could impact on staff turnover among doctors and nurses and strategies that could be utilised to retain staff. These strategies include: Getting people off to a good start, Create a great environment with bosses whom people respect, Share information, Give people as much autonomy as they can handle and Challenge people to stretch. iii Staff turnover is an issue that many South African organisations are currently facing and an issue that is especially affecting the medical field. Various factors, especially job and organisational factors, are not adequately addressed and these could lead to a high rate of staff turnover. It is clear that organisations should have a human resource strategic plan in order for them to effectively select, retain, train and develop employees. Health Care organisation could use the strategies identified in this study as a mechanism to benchmark how well they manage staff turnover. It is therefore important that the management of hospitals should strive to identify the underlying causes of labour turnover in their organisations and formulate strategies to address the problem.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Strategies to equip females for managerial positions
- Authors: Smailes, Chanél
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Women executives -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8696 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1095 , Women executives -- South Africa
- Description: The study was concerned with identifying both organisational and personal strategies utilised by females in managerial positions within South Africa. From an analysis of both primary and secondary data, it was concluded that executive women in South Africa are utilising personal strategies more extensively than relying solely on organisational strategies to facilitate them to managerial positions and the respondents therefore deemed these personal strategies to have a greater impact than that of the organisational strategies. Both organisations and individuals would benefit from this study as the study brings to the fore the lack of organisational strategies utilised by organisations within South Africa, as well as highlighting those strategies found most beneficial by executive women as having the greatest impact on their careers. This indication would allow for organisations to efficiently invest in those strategies having the most impact on female executives’ careers. Individual women at non-management or junior management levels could integrate the personal strategies highlighted in this study as being most effective into their career development plans. By ensuring both organisations and women together are working to equip females for managerial positions, both organisational and personal performance of South African female managers will be maximized.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Smailes, Chanél
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Women executives -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8696 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1095 , Women executives -- South Africa
- Description: The study was concerned with identifying both organisational and personal strategies utilised by females in managerial positions within South Africa. From an analysis of both primary and secondary data, it was concluded that executive women in South Africa are utilising personal strategies more extensively than relying solely on organisational strategies to facilitate them to managerial positions and the respondents therefore deemed these personal strategies to have a greater impact than that of the organisational strategies. Both organisations and individuals would benefit from this study as the study brings to the fore the lack of organisational strategies utilised by organisations within South Africa, as well as highlighting those strategies found most beneficial by executive women as having the greatest impact on their careers. This indication would allow for organisations to efficiently invest in those strategies having the most impact on female executives’ careers. Individual women at non-management or junior management levels could integrate the personal strategies highlighted in this study as being most effective into their career development plans. By ensuring both organisations and women together are working to equip females for managerial positions, both organisational and personal performance of South African female managers will be maximized.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The cultural determinants of success in Indian owned family businesses
- Authors: Adams, Leigh Christie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- Management , Indian business enterprises , Small business -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8543 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1258 , Family-owned business enterprises -- Management , Indian business enterprises , Small business -- Management
- Description: Family owned businesses play a vital role in the economy of a country, therefore their sustainability and succession is a topic that requires adequate research and analysis. This is required to determine the impact and contribution at a socioeconomic level and future development of the family owned business. Within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area previous research has been conducted analysing the above with regard to Greek family businesses. There is a little evidence to suggest similar studies have been conducted on Indian owned family businesses, specifically businesses operating at a third generation level. This research will therefore analyse Indian owned family businesses that are at a minimum level of third generation within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. The purpose is to investigate whether there is any specific cultural attributes of the Indian culture which have contributed to their success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Adams, Leigh Christie
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- Management , Indian business enterprises , Small business -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8543 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1258 , Family-owned business enterprises -- Management , Indian business enterprises , Small business -- Management
- Description: Family owned businesses play a vital role in the economy of a country, therefore their sustainability and succession is a topic that requires adequate research and analysis. This is required to determine the impact and contribution at a socioeconomic level and future development of the family owned business. Within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area previous research has been conducted analysing the above with regard to Greek family businesses. There is a little evidence to suggest similar studies have been conducted on Indian owned family businesses, specifically businesses operating at a third generation level. This research will therefore analyse Indian owned family businesses that are at a minimum level of third generation within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan area. The purpose is to investigate whether there is any specific cultural attributes of the Indian culture which have contributed to their success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The current state of Black female empowerment in the construction industry measured against broad-based Black economic empowerment scorecard
- Authors: Podges, Joan Winnifred
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Women executives -- South Africa , Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa , Women, Black -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employment -- South Africa , Women-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8675 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1161 , Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Women executives -- South Africa , Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa , Women, Black -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employment -- South Africa , Women-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
- Description: The Government of South Africa has placed a lot of emphasis on economic growth and the involvement of Black people in the mainstream of the economy. The implementation of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) created opportunities for direct empowerment of Black females in ownership and management. The Construction Industry is being challenged to increase the number of Black females in management and ownership levels. Due to the nature of the Industry, only a small population of females considers Construction as a career option. The Industry has also lost a significant number of skilled Engineers and is experiencing a shortage of skilled managers in Middle and Senior Management Levels. The research problem questioned the current state of empowerment for Black women in the Construction Industry as measured against the B-BBEE Scorecard. The literature review focused on the requirements of the B-BBEE scorecard and Construction Charter. The second phase focused on gender equality and the achievements of women in Construction. The research design was done by using questionnaires to the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (Safcec) members in the Eastern Cape. The research design and survey aimed to determine the status of empowerment in the Construction Industry. With reference to both the literature review and the empirical findings the state of female empowerment can be determined. Therefore iv recommendations and opportunities for further research in this regard can be identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Podges, Joan Winnifred
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Women executives -- South Africa , Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa , Women, Black -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employment -- South Africa , Women-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8675 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1161 , Women -- Employment -- South Africa , Women executives -- South Africa , Business enterprises, Black -- South Africa , Women, Black -- South Africa , Sex discrimination in employment -- South Africa , Women-owned business enterprises -- South Africa
- Description: The Government of South Africa has placed a lot of emphasis on economic growth and the involvement of Black people in the mainstream of the economy. The implementation of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) created opportunities for direct empowerment of Black females in ownership and management. The Construction Industry is being challenged to increase the number of Black females in management and ownership levels. Due to the nature of the Industry, only a small population of females considers Construction as a career option. The Industry has also lost a significant number of skilled Engineers and is experiencing a shortage of skilled managers in Middle and Senior Management Levels. The research problem questioned the current state of empowerment for Black women in the Construction Industry as measured against the B-BBEE Scorecard. The literature review focused on the requirements of the B-BBEE scorecard and Construction Charter. The second phase focused on gender equality and the achievements of women in Construction. The research design was done by using questionnaires to the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (Safcec) members in the Eastern Cape. The research design and survey aimed to determine the status of empowerment in the Construction Industry. With reference to both the literature review and the empirical findings the state of female empowerment can be determined. Therefore iv recommendations and opportunities for further research in this regard can be identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The development of best practice guidelines that will assist small businesses planning
- Authors: Kemp, John Morne
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Small business-- Finance , New business enterprises -- Finance , New business enterprises -- Planning , Business planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8799 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016153
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to provide a planning guideline for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) to assist them to plan more effectively and be sustainable in their businesses. A guideline for planning is needed, as planning is one of the most difficult activities a business owner needs to undertake. Yet it is essential to do because, before taking action, you must know where you are going and how to get there. Well-developed plans can assist the business owner to interest banks and/or investors to invest in the business, guide the owner in operating the business, give direction to and motivate employees, and provide an environment to attract customers and prospective employees. To become an effective business owner, one must look ahead. Planning, which is the process of setting objectives and devising actions to achieve those objectives are imperative to be sustainable in business. The findings of the literature survey clearly highlights the reasons why a business owner needs to plan and provide a guideline how to plan. It was found in the empirical study that Standard Bank rate the SMME market as a very valuable part of their business. The SMME market has a benefit to various departments within the bank, not only the SMME business market. The empirical study also found that not every entrepreneur that holds a business plan is successful. Many reasons for this exist. One aspect that was identified, is that the wrong idea was implemented. The empirical study revealed that in all respondents agreed that planning forms an integral part of the entrepreneurs business. The empirical study found that a business plan will assist the entrepreneur to be sustainable in their business, only if a thorough feasibility study was conducted. The respondents agreed that the feasibility study, will either support or contradict the assumptions made in the business plan, this will assist the entrepreneur to decide to either continue or end the business activity. It was found that the entrepreneur, with especially a financial expert should be involved when a business planning is undertaken. Other experts in the various business arenas should also be requested to assist with the setting up of the business plan.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Kemp, John Morne
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Small business-- Finance , New business enterprises -- Finance , New business enterprises -- Planning , Business planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8799 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1016153
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to provide a planning guideline for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) to assist them to plan more effectively and be sustainable in their businesses. A guideline for planning is needed, as planning is one of the most difficult activities a business owner needs to undertake. Yet it is essential to do because, before taking action, you must know where you are going and how to get there. Well-developed plans can assist the business owner to interest banks and/or investors to invest in the business, guide the owner in operating the business, give direction to and motivate employees, and provide an environment to attract customers and prospective employees. To become an effective business owner, one must look ahead. Planning, which is the process of setting objectives and devising actions to achieve those objectives are imperative to be sustainable in business. The findings of the literature survey clearly highlights the reasons why a business owner needs to plan and provide a guideline how to plan. It was found in the empirical study that Standard Bank rate the SMME market as a very valuable part of their business. The SMME market has a benefit to various departments within the bank, not only the SMME business market. The empirical study also found that not every entrepreneur that holds a business plan is successful. Many reasons for this exist. One aspect that was identified, is that the wrong idea was implemented. The empirical study revealed that in all respondents agreed that planning forms an integral part of the entrepreneurs business. The empirical study found that a business plan will assist the entrepreneur to be sustainable in their business, only if a thorough feasibility study was conducted. The respondents agreed that the feasibility study, will either support or contradict the assumptions made in the business plan, this will assist the entrepreneur to decide to either continue or end the business activity. It was found that the entrepreneur, with especially a financial expert should be involved when a business planning is undertaken. Other experts in the various business arenas should also be requested to assist with the setting up of the business plan.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The economic contribution of trout fly-fishing to the economy of the rhodes region
- Authors: Gatogang, Ballbo Patric
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Trout fishing -- South Africa , Rainbow trout fisheries , Fishery management -- Economic aspects , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fly-fishing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8991 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/919 , Trout fishing -- South Africa , Rainbow trout fisheries , Fishery management -- Economic aspects , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fly-fishing -- South Africa
- Description: Approximately 24 alien fish species, equivalent to 9 percent of all South African freshwater fish species, were introduced and established into South African waters during the 19th and 20th Centuries (Skelton, 2001). Of the 24 species introduced, the Rainbow trout and the Brown trout have over time become South Africa's most widely spread and used freshwater fish species (Bainbridge, Alletson, Davies, Lax and Mills, 2005). The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, no.10 of 2004 has, however, cast considerable doubt on the future of trout as a food source and a recreational fishing resource in South Africa. More specifically, Section 64 of the Act has the following aims: “(a) to prevent the unauthorized introduction and spread of alien species and invasive species to ecosystems and habitats where they do not naturally occur; (b) to manage and control alien species and invasive species to prevent or minimize harm to the environment and to biodiversity in particular; and (c) to eradicate alien species and invasive species from ecosystems and habitats where they may harm such ecosystems or habitats.” The uncertainty surrounding the future of trout in South Africa is mainly underpinned by aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act. Regarding the eradication of trout and in keeping with aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act, three remarks can be made. First, there exists a paucity of published studies which offer validated proof of the impacts which may be ascribed entirely to the introduction of alien trout in South Africa, since no pre-stocking assessments were conducted (Bainbridge et al., 2005). Second, the elimination of trout is feasible in a few limited closed ecosystems, such as small dams, but is highly impractical and untenable from an environmental and cost perspective where open and established river systems are concerned (Bainbridge et al., x 2005). More specifically, there are no efficient or adequate eradication measures which may be used in wide-ranging open ecosystems, which selectively target alien fish species. Moreover, most, if not all, measures have the potential to cause considerable adverse impacts on indigenous aquafaunal species. Finally, the elimination of trout could undermine the tourism appeal of many upper catchment areas in South Africa. The trout fishing industry is well established and is a source of local and foreign income, as well as a job creator in the South African economy (Bainbridge et al., 2005; Hlatswako, 2000; Rogerson, 2002). In particular, the industry provides a two-tier service: first, in food production at the subsistence as well as commercial levels, and second, as an angling resource. Recreational angling, including fly-fishing for trout, is one of the fastest growing tourism attractions in South Africa. Furthermore, the trout fishing industry is sustained and underpinned by a considerable infrastructure consisting of tackle manufacturers and retailers, tourist operators, professional guides, hotels, lodges and B&Bs. The economic case for the trout fishing industry in South Africa has, however, not been convincingly made. The economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing is priced directly in the market place by expenditures made by fly-fishers, and indirectly in property values, which provide access to fly-fishing opportunities. The benefit of trout and trout fly-fishing can also be valued through non-market valuation techniques. Non-market valuation is used to calculate values for items that are not traded in markets, such as environmental services. There are several non-market valuation methods available to the researcher, namely those based on revealed preference and those based on stated preference. The former includes the hedonic pricing method and the travel cost method, while the latter includes the contingent valuation method and the choice modelling method. Of the available non-market valuation techniques, the travel cost method is the most suitable method for determining the value of trout and the trout fishing industry because travel cost is often the main expenditure incurred. xi The aim of this study is threefold: first, to value the economic contribution of trout and trout fly-fishing to the Rhodes region, North Eastern Cape; second, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project that entails the rehabilitation and maintenance of trout streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to increase their trout carrying capacity by 10 percent; third, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project aimed at eradicating trout from streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to prevent trout from harming the indigenous yellowfish habitat. The first aim was achieved by applying the travel cost method, whereas the second and third aims were achieved by applying the contingent valuation method. The study aimed to provide policy makers with information regarding the value of trout fishing in the Rhodes region, so as to create an awareness of the economic trade-offs associated with alien fish eradication. Through the application of the travel cost method, the consumer surplus per trout fly-fishermen was estimated to be R19 677.69, while the total consumer surplus was estimated to be R13 774 384.40. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to rehabilitate trout habitat was estimated to be R248.95, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R199 462.20. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to eradicate alien trout from the Rhodes region rivers and streams was estimated to be R41.18, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R28 829.36. This study concludes that trout and trout fly-fishing make a valuable economic contribution to the Rhodes region. The extent of the economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing services in the Rhodes region should be carefully considered in any stream management project.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Gatogang, Ballbo Patric
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Trout fishing -- South Africa , Rainbow trout fisheries , Fishery management -- Economic aspects , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fly-fishing -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:8991 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/919 , Trout fishing -- South Africa , Rainbow trout fisheries , Fishery management -- Economic aspects , Fishery management -- South Africa , Fly-fishing -- South Africa
- Description: Approximately 24 alien fish species, equivalent to 9 percent of all South African freshwater fish species, were introduced and established into South African waters during the 19th and 20th Centuries (Skelton, 2001). Of the 24 species introduced, the Rainbow trout and the Brown trout have over time become South Africa's most widely spread and used freshwater fish species (Bainbridge, Alletson, Davies, Lax and Mills, 2005). The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, no.10 of 2004 has, however, cast considerable doubt on the future of trout as a food source and a recreational fishing resource in South Africa. More specifically, Section 64 of the Act has the following aims: “(a) to prevent the unauthorized introduction and spread of alien species and invasive species to ecosystems and habitats where they do not naturally occur; (b) to manage and control alien species and invasive species to prevent or minimize harm to the environment and to biodiversity in particular; and (c) to eradicate alien species and invasive species from ecosystems and habitats where they may harm such ecosystems or habitats.” The uncertainty surrounding the future of trout in South Africa is mainly underpinned by aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act. Regarding the eradication of trout and in keeping with aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act, three remarks can be made. First, there exists a paucity of published studies which offer validated proof of the impacts which may be ascribed entirely to the introduction of alien trout in South Africa, since no pre-stocking assessments were conducted (Bainbridge et al., 2005). Second, the elimination of trout is feasible in a few limited closed ecosystems, such as small dams, but is highly impractical and untenable from an environmental and cost perspective where open and established river systems are concerned (Bainbridge et al., x 2005). More specifically, there are no efficient or adequate eradication measures which may be used in wide-ranging open ecosystems, which selectively target alien fish species. Moreover, most, if not all, measures have the potential to cause considerable adverse impacts on indigenous aquafaunal species. Finally, the elimination of trout could undermine the tourism appeal of many upper catchment areas in South Africa. The trout fishing industry is well established and is a source of local and foreign income, as well as a job creator in the South African economy (Bainbridge et al., 2005; Hlatswako, 2000; Rogerson, 2002). In particular, the industry provides a two-tier service: first, in food production at the subsistence as well as commercial levels, and second, as an angling resource. Recreational angling, including fly-fishing for trout, is one of the fastest growing tourism attractions in South Africa. Furthermore, the trout fishing industry is sustained and underpinned by a considerable infrastructure consisting of tackle manufacturers and retailers, tourist operators, professional guides, hotels, lodges and B&Bs. The economic case for the trout fishing industry in South Africa has, however, not been convincingly made. The economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing is priced directly in the market place by expenditures made by fly-fishers, and indirectly in property values, which provide access to fly-fishing opportunities. The benefit of trout and trout fly-fishing can also be valued through non-market valuation techniques. Non-market valuation is used to calculate values for items that are not traded in markets, such as environmental services. There are several non-market valuation methods available to the researcher, namely those based on revealed preference and those based on stated preference. The former includes the hedonic pricing method and the travel cost method, while the latter includes the contingent valuation method and the choice modelling method. Of the available non-market valuation techniques, the travel cost method is the most suitable method for determining the value of trout and the trout fishing industry because travel cost is often the main expenditure incurred. xi The aim of this study is threefold: first, to value the economic contribution of trout and trout fly-fishing to the Rhodes region, North Eastern Cape; second, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project that entails the rehabilitation and maintenance of trout streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to increase their trout carrying capacity by 10 percent; third, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project aimed at eradicating trout from streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to prevent trout from harming the indigenous yellowfish habitat. The first aim was achieved by applying the travel cost method, whereas the second and third aims were achieved by applying the contingent valuation method. The study aimed to provide policy makers with information regarding the value of trout fishing in the Rhodes region, so as to create an awareness of the economic trade-offs associated with alien fish eradication. Through the application of the travel cost method, the consumer surplus per trout fly-fishermen was estimated to be R19 677.69, while the total consumer surplus was estimated to be R13 774 384.40. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to rehabilitate trout habitat was estimated to be R248.95, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R199 462.20. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to eradicate alien trout from the Rhodes region rivers and streams was estimated to be R41.18, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R28 829.36. This study concludes that trout and trout fly-fishing make a valuable economic contribution to the Rhodes region. The extent of the economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing services in the Rhodes region should be carefully considered in any stream management project.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The effectiveness of succession planning in SARS enforcement Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Erasmus, Lynne
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Executive succession , Manpower planning , Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8669 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1208 , Executive succession , Manpower planning , Strategic planning
- Description: This research study addressed the importance of succession planning for the organisations’ survival, which depends on the continuous supply of competent, experienced and well trained managers. It addresses the problem of determining the strategies that can be used by SARS Enforcement Port Elizabeth to manage succession planning effectively. To achieve this objective a comprehensive literature study was performed to determine the views on various succession planning models. The literature review serves as a model in the development of a guideline for SARS Enforcement Port Elizabeth management to manage succession planning. An interview was conducted with the Human Resource Manager and Middle management from the various departments who were requested to complete a questionnaire in order to determine the current practices of succession planning. The questionnaire was developed in accordance with the findings from the research. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the relevance of the study to the problem questions and to evaluate whether the questionnaire will be easily understood. The answers of the respondents were analysed and compared to the findings of the literature study. The information obtained from the literature study and from the respondents resulted in various recommendations and conclusions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Erasmus, Lynne
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Executive succession , Manpower planning , Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8669 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1208 , Executive succession , Manpower planning , Strategic planning
- Description: This research study addressed the importance of succession planning for the organisations’ survival, which depends on the continuous supply of competent, experienced and well trained managers. It addresses the problem of determining the strategies that can be used by SARS Enforcement Port Elizabeth to manage succession planning effectively. To achieve this objective a comprehensive literature study was performed to determine the views on various succession planning models. The literature review serves as a model in the development of a guideline for SARS Enforcement Port Elizabeth management to manage succession planning. An interview was conducted with the Human Resource Manager and Middle management from the various departments who were requested to complete a questionnaire in order to determine the current practices of succession planning. The questionnaire was developed in accordance with the findings from the research. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the relevance of the study to the problem questions and to evaluate whether the questionnaire will be easily understood. The answers of the respondents were analysed and compared to the findings of the literature study. The information obtained from the literature study and from the respondents resulted in various recommendations and conclusions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The factors that hinder the overall equipment effectiveness at Ford Struandale Engine Plant
- Authors: Qweleka, Sazile
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Total productive maintenance -- South Africa , Industrial equipment -- Maintenance and repair -- Planning , Plant maintenance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8673 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1163 , Total productive maintenance -- South Africa , Industrial equipment -- Maintenance and repair -- Planning , Plant maintenance -- Management
- Description: This treatise investigates the underlying factors that are hindering the improvement of Overall Equipment Effectiveness at the Ford Struandale Engine Plant. In January of 2008 the Ford Motor Company announced plans to invest more than R1.5 billion to expand operations for the production of Ford's next-generation compact pickup truck and the PUMA diesel engine. Ford will use the investment to expand operations both in Silverton for the production of 75 000 units of a new bakkie and in Port Elizabeth for 220 000 units of its new-generation PUMA diesel engines (http://www.autoblog.com /2008/01/31/ford-to-invest-209m-in-south-africa-for-new-ranger-pickup/). Only five Ford plants globally will be producing the PUMA engine (Turkey, UK, Thailand, Argentina and South Africa – Ford Struandale Engine Plant). The Ford Struandale Engine Plant will be the only plant which will have the I4 assembly, I5 assembly and 3C (Crank, Cylinder Block, and Cylinder Head) machining and the expectations of operating in a lean environment is high. The management team at the Ford Struandale Engine Plant needs to understand what the underlying factors that are hindering the improvement of Overall Equipment Effectiveness of the plant or, in other words, they need to be informed of the total benefits of TPM. A literature review was conducted to determine what the theory reveals about Overall Equipment Effectiveness, the three factors of OEE (Availability, Performance Efficiency, and Quality), the influence of Six Big Losses on each of the factors and the role of Total Productive Maintenance in improving OEE by eliminating these Six Big Losses. A Ford literature study was conducted to reveal the current literature being applied at Ford. This was then followed by an empirical survey conducted within the Ford Struandale Engine Plant. In addition, a task team formed to analyse the current maintenance operating strategy. Finally, the findings from discussions with the task team, the empirical survey, Ford Struandale Engine Plant literature survey and a general literature survey were amalgamated to draw conclusions relating to the Ford Struandale Engine Plant. These conclusions indicate what the underlying factors are that are hindering the improvement of Overall Equipment Effectiveness of the Ford Struandale Engine Plant facilities and equipment. Then recommendations are made as to how the Ford Struandale Engine Plant can improve the Overall Equipment Effectiveness of its facilities and equipment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Qweleka, Sazile
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Total productive maintenance -- South Africa , Industrial equipment -- Maintenance and repair -- Planning , Plant maintenance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8673 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1163 , Total productive maintenance -- South Africa , Industrial equipment -- Maintenance and repair -- Planning , Plant maintenance -- Management
- Description: This treatise investigates the underlying factors that are hindering the improvement of Overall Equipment Effectiveness at the Ford Struandale Engine Plant. In January of 2008 the Ford Motor Company announced plans to invest more than R1.5 billion to expand operations for the production of Ford's next-generation compact pickup truck and the PUMA diesel engine. Ford will use the investment to expand operations both in Silverton for the production of 75 000 units of a new bakkie and in Port Elizabeth for 220 000 units of its new-generation PUMA diesel engines (http://www.autoblog.com /2008/01/31/ford-to-invest-209m-in-south-africa-for-new-ranger-pickup/). Only five Ford plants globally will be producing the PUMA engine (Turkey, UK, Thailand, Argentina and South Africa – Ford Struandale Engine Plant). The Ford Struandale Engine Plant will be the only plant which will have the I4 assembly, I5 assembly and 3C (Crank, Cylinder Block, and Cylinder Head) machining and the expectations of operating in a lean environment is high. The management team at the Ford Struandale Engine Plant needs to understand what the underlying factors that are hindering the improvement of Overall Equipment Effectiveness of the plant or, in other words, they need to be informed of the total benefits of TPM. A literature review was conducted to determine what the theory reveals about Overall Equipment Effectiveness, the three factors of OEE (Availability, Performance Efficiency, and Quality), the influence of Six Big Losses on each of the factors and the role of Total Productive Maintenance in improving OEE by eliminating these Six Big Losses. A Ford literature study was conducted to reveal the current literature being applied at Ford. This was then followed by an empirical survey conducted within the Ford Struandale Engine Plant. In addition, a task team formed to analyse the current maintenance operating strategy. Finally, the findings from discussions with the task team, the empirical survey, Ford Struandale Engine Plant literature survey and a general literature survey were amalgamated to draw conclusions relating to the Ford Struandale Engine Plant. These conclusions indicate what the underlying factors are that are hindering the improvement of Overall Equipment Effectiveness of the Ford Struandale Engine Plant facilities and equipment. Then recommendations are made as to how the Ford Struandale Engine Plant can improve the Overall Equipment Effectiveness of its facilities and equipment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The feasibility of starting a dating company in South Africa
- Bezuidenhout, Jacques Du Mont
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Jacques Du Mont
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Online dating -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8686 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1114 , Online dating -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of the research is to determine the feasibility of starting a dating company, which focuses specifically on the South African market. Further sub problems were defined as follow: • Which South Africans would use a dating service, that is, who will be the main customers? • Is there specifically identifiable information that can help to recognise customers? Or can a profile be created for to identify customers? • How much are the customers willing to pay? • Does or can technology play a role in in courtship? The role of technology was investigated, in which it was found that globalisation affects everyone. One of the core factors that caused many other technologies to evolve from it, is the Internet. The intranet was a natural evolution from the Internet, which is normally specific to a company. A further literature survey was conducted to gain an understanding of dating companies globally and locally, to gain an understanding of the subject, which was used to create a questionnaire. The questionnaire reached a 120 participants, with 52 participants responding, which relates to a response rate of 43.3 percent. The questionnaire produces 37 variables, which were correlated, and as a result it was recommended that it is feasible to start a dating company in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Jacques Du Mont
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Online dating -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8686 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1114 , Online dating -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of the research is to determine the feasibility of starting a dating company, which focuses specifically on the South African market. Further sub problems were defined as follow: • Which South Africans would use a dating service, that is, who will be the main customers? • Is there specifically identifiable information that can help to recognise customers? Or can a profile be created for to identify customers? • How much are the customers willing to pay? • Does or can technology play a role in in courtship? The role of technology was investigated, in which it was found that globalisation affects everyone. One of the core factors that caused many other technologies to evolve from it, is the Internet. The intranet was a natural evolution from the Internet, which is normally specific to a company. A further literature survey was conducted to gain an understanding of dating companies globally and locally, to gain an understanding of the subject, which was used to create a questionnaire. The questionnaire reached a 120 participants, with 52 participants responding, which relates to a response rate of 43.3 percent. The questionnaire produces 37 variables, which were correlated, and as a result it was recommended that it is feasible to start a dating company in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The impact of employee engagement on the business success of Johnson controls Uitenhage
- Authors: Muller, Roger Joseph
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Employee motivation -- South Africa , Organizational commitment -- South Africa , Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa , Employee loyalty -- South Africa , Success in business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8681 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1137 , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Organizational commitment -- South Africa , Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa , Employee loyalty -- South Africa , Success in business -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate the influences, outcomes and degree of employee engagement, as it relates to business success of Johnson Controls. The research was conducted by questionnaire using a sample of 120 employees of Johnson Controls Uitenhage Plant. The sample represents 45 percent of the total population of 267 employees. The study discusses certain key influences of engagement - the degree to which employees are engaged and the resultant outcomes of employee engagement. The result of the study proves that communication, leadership behaviours, policies, practices, recognition and rewards are real factors influencing engagement. The study also validated that productivity, safety, customer satisfaction, employee retention and quality are outcomes of engagement. A strong relationship was found to exist between employee engagement and business success. The study also found that a strong relationship exist between leadership behaviours, policies and procedures, and recognition and rewards. Communication was found to have no relationship with employee engagement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Muller, Roger Joseph
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Employee motivation -- South Africa , Organizational commitment -- South Africa , Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa , Employee loyalty -- South Africa , Success in business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8681 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1137 , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Organizational commitment -- South Africa , Management -- Employee participation -- South Africa , Employee loyalty -- South Africa , Success in business -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate the influences, outcomes and degree of employee engagement, as it relates to business success of Johnson Controls. The research was conducted by questionnaire using a sample of 120 employees of Johnson Controls Uitenhage Plant. The sample represents 45 percent of the total population of 267 employees. The study discusses certain key influences of engagement - the degree to which employees are engaged and the resultant outcomes of employee engagement. The result of the study proves that communication, leadership behaviours, policies, practices, recognition and rewards are real factors influencing engagement. The study also validated that productivity, safety, customer satisfaction, employee retention and quality are outcomes of engagement. A strong relationship was found to exist between employee engagement and business success. The study also found that a strong relationship exist between leadership behaviours, policies and procedures, and recognition and rewards. Communication was found to have no relationship with employee engagement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The impact of retirement planning and education on retiree's UFE satisfaction
- Authors: Prinsloo, Harold
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Retirement -- South Africa , Retirement -- South Africa -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8674 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1162 , Retirement -- South Africa , Retirement -- South Africa -- Planning
- Description: Employees who plan for retirement can contribute meaningfully towards building a sustained quality of life during retirement. The lack of pre-retirement planning and education, however, “weakens” an individual’s life satisfaction. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the impact retirement planning and education has on retiree’s UFE satisfaction and to determine overall individual quality of life. This research firstly discusses retirement, or the prospect of giving up work. The research study points to the fact that an overwhelming amount of research shows that retirement, as a social phenomenon cannot be understood except in the context of work, because the meaning of retirement is largely an outgrowth of the meaning of work. The study further suggests that the transition from work to retirement can be eased through planning. Beginning to plan for retirement several years before retirement is anticipated is helpful. The study points to quality of life as a multi-dimensional concept that refers to an individual’s overall life satisfaction and total well-being. The findings discussed in Chapter Five indicate a reasonable level of retirement planning and education amongst retiree’s who participated in the survey. Recommendations from the study indicated a need for individual counseling during retirement planning and education workshops.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Prinsloo, Harold
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Retirement -- South Africa , Retirement -- South Africa -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8674 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1162 , Retirement -- South Africa , Retirement -- South Africa -- Planning
- Description: Employees who plan for retirement can contribute meaningfully towards building a sustained quality of life during retirement. The lack of pre-retirement planning and education, however, “weakens” an individual’s life satisfaction. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the impact retirement planning and education has on retiree’s UFE satisfaction and to determine overall individual quality of life. This research firstly discusses retirement, or the prospect of giving up work. The research study points to the fact that an overwhelming amount of research shows that retirement, as a social phenomenon cannot be understood except in the context of work, because the meaning of retirement is largely an outgrowth of the meaning of work. The study further suggests that the transition from work to retirement can be eased through planning. Beginning to plan for retirement several years before retirement is anticipated is helpful. The study points to quality of life as a multi-dimensional concept that refers to an individual’s overall life satisfaction and total well-being. The findings discussed in Chapter Five indicate a reasonable level of retirement planning and education amongst retiree’s who participated in the survey. Recommendations from the study indicated a need for individual counseling during retirement planning and education workshops.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The impact of service quality perceptions on the service delivery of a financial aid office at a metropolitan university
- Authors: Gallant, Brian
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Student aid -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Finance , Student loans -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/955 , Student aid -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Finance , Student loans -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Greater access to education for many South Africans is inextricably linked to the development of the country and its collective ability to deal with the many socio– economic challenges it presently faces. The availability of financial aid at Higher Education Institutions to support financially needy and academically deserving students as part of a comprehensive programme to address the need for skills development, socio–economic backlogs and imbalances that exist in the country is supported by various Government Departments, private donors and Higher Education Institutions. Financial Aid Offices responsible for the distribution of both public and private donor funding, face various challenges at South African universities in their endeavours to render quality service and prompt service delivery to their clients, the students who are the recipients of this funding. The present study attempts to identify the most important service quality dimensions relevant to effective and efficient service delivery in the Financial Aid Office at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Furthermore, this study aims to assess the performance of the Financial Aid Office to provide possible recommendations with a view to improving service delivery at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Against this background, the primary objective of this study is to measure financial aid students’ perceptions of service quality with a Financial Aid Office at a Higher Education Institution and estimate the effect these perceptions have on service delivery. All bursary and loan awardees from 2008, that is, only students who were successful in their financial aid applications for 2008, were invited to collect and complete a questionnaire at the Financial Aid Office at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. v The measuring instrument used was a self-administered, structured questionnaire divided into two sections. Section A measured service quality perceptions of the Financial Aid Office of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Section B measured personal data of the respondents. A total of 500 questionnaires was distributed of which 228 were returned, yielding a final sample of 204 that could be statistically analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the empirical results. Overall, the results show that respondents were, by and large, satisfied with the service rendered by the Financial Aid Office at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Thus, perceptions of the five service quality dimensions measured in this study were favourable, implying that respondents did not have any major problems with the present service offering of the Financial Aid Office. It is important to note that while these results indicate favourable perceptions of service quality of the Financial Aid office at one point in time, they will not necessarily be permanent. The Financial Aid Office must therefore ensure that it continues to build on this valuable strength. Specifically, the Financial Aid Office should continue delivering this level of quality of service and concentrate on improving the service quality of the items in the questionnaire with the lowest mean scores. Service quality is an important construct and needs to be assessed in Financial Aid Offices to ensure the desired outcome of producing more graduates, especially from financially needy and academically deserving backgrounds. Students, as customers, deserve the best service, as they would expect from any other service provider such as a bank or a supermarket. The strengths of this Financial Aid Office can serve to assist other universities in providing a positive student experience through the delivery of a quality service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Gallant, Brian
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Student aid -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Finance , Student loans -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8711 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/955 , Student aid -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Education, Higher -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Finance , Student loans -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Greater access to education for many South Africans is inextricably linked to the development of the country and its collective ability to deal with the many socio– economic challenges it presently faces. The availability of financial aid at Higher Education Institutions to support financially needy and academically deserving students as part of a comprehensive programme to address the need for skills development, socio–economic backlogs and imbalances that exist in the country is supported by various Government Departments, private donors and Higher Education Institutions. Financial Aid Offices responsible for the distribution of both public and private donor funding, face various challenges at South African universities in their endeavours to render quality service and prompt service delivery to their clients, the students who are the recipients of this funding. The present study attempts to identify the most important service quality dimensions relevant to effective and efficient service delivery in the Financial Aid Office at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Furthermore, this study aims to assess the performance of the Financial Aid Office to provide possible recommendations with a view to improving service delivery at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Against this background, the primary objective of this study is to measure financial aid students’ perceptions of service quality with a Financial Aid Office at a Higher Education Institution and estimate the effect these perceptions have on service delivery. All bursary and loan awardees from 2008, that is, only students who were successful in their financial aid applications for 2008, were invited to collect and complete a questionnaire at the Financial Aid Office at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. v The measuring instrument used was a self-administered, structured questionnaire divided into two sections. Section A measured service quality perceptions of the Financial Aid Office of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Section B measured personal data of the respondents. A total of 500 questionnaires was distributed of which 228 were returned, yielding a final sample of 204 that could be statistically analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the empirical results. Overall, the results show that respondents were, by and large, satisfied with the service rendered by the Financial Aid Office at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Thus, perceptions of the five service quality dimensions measured in this study were favourable, implying that respondents did not have any major problems with the present service offering of the Financial Aid Office. It is important to note that while these results indicate favourable perceptions of service quality of the Financial Aid office at one point in time, they will not necessarily be permanent. The Financial Aid Office must therefore ensure that it continues to build on this valuable strength. Specifically, the Financial Aid Office should continue delivering this level of quality of service and concentrate on improving the service quality of the items in the questionnaire with the lowest mean scores. Service quality is an important construct and needs to be assessed in Financial Aid Offices to ensure the desired outcome of producing more graduates, especially from financially needy and academically deserving backgrounds. Students, as customers, deserve the best service, as they would expect from any other service provider such as a bank or a supermarket. The strengths of this Financial Aid Office can serve to assist other universities in providing a positive student experience through the delivery of a quality service.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The impact of shiftwork on productivity
- Authors: Njela, Clive Jonathan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Shift systems , Labor productivity , Shift systems -- Psychological aspects , Job satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1299 , Shift systems , Labor productivity , Shift systems -- Psychological aspects , Job satisfaction
- Description: Shiftwork is common in the private sector but not exclusive from the public sector like nursing. In order to secure a continuous operation, and optimization of equipment, businesses introduced shiftwork. The author wanted to test certain hypotheses to better understand the impact of shiftwork. In this research the author first embarked on a theoretical study into shiftwork and its associated problems, which include the impact on productivity, the impact on the employer’s attitude towards the work, the impact on the family life, the impact on social life, the impact on physical health and the psychological effects. Thereafter, an empirical study was conducted to ascertain to what extend shiftwork affects productivity and the life of the employees. The data was then analysed to explain the impact of shiftwork and productivity. Lastly, recommendations were made based on the research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Njela, Clive Jonathan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Shift systems , Labor productivity , Shift systems -- Psychological aspects , Job satisfaction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8661 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1299 , Shift systems , Labor productivity , Shift systems -- Psychological aspects , Job satisfaction
- Description: Shiftwork is common in the private sector but not exclusive from the public sector like nursing. In order to secure a continuous operation, and optimization of equipment, businesses introduced shiftwork. The author wanted to test certain hypotheses to better understand the impact of shiftwork. In this research the author first embarked on a theoretical study into shiftwork and its associated problems, which include the impact on productivity, the impact on the employer’s attitude towards the work, the impact on the family life, the impact on social life, the impact on physical health and the psychological effects. Thereafter, an empirical study was conducted to ascertain to what extend shiftwork affects productivity and the life of the employees. The data was then analysed to explain the impact of shiftwork and productivity. Lastly, recommendations were made based on the research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The influence of selected elements of service quality provided by Chinese fine-dining restaurants in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Zhao, Feng
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Quality control , Restaurants -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9339 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1088 , Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Quality control , Restaurants -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: A good understanding of customer expectations is very important to service providers. Since the Chinese first came to South Africa and started their restaurant businesses. Chinese fine-dining restaurants have become more and more popular. Identifying the customer expectations and Chinese fine-dining restaurant owner perceptions will help Chinese service providers to understand better the restaurant businesses. To ensure the development of the Chinese restaurant business in South Africa, it is very important to understand what South African customers want, whether there are differences between the Chinese restaurant owner perceptions of the service quality and South African customer expectations of the service quality. This would depend on the customers’ preferences, and provide a positive contribution to customer decision-making. Therefore, it is essential to understand and identify what is customer expectations are, what the management perceptions are and the differences between them. 5 In order to achieve the objectives of the research, the following approach was followed: Factors that influence the customer expectations and management perceptions are explained. Five factors used to measure the service quality of Chinese fine-dining restaurants are identified, namely reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, tangibility. The responses to the questionnaire were collected and analysed to determine the extent to which factors are both important to customer expectations and management perceptions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Zhao, Feng
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Quality control , Restaurants -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9339 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1088 , Hospitality industry -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Quality control , Restaurants -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: A good understanding of customer expectations is very important to service providers. Since the Chinese first came to South Africa and started their restaurant businesses. Chinese fine-dining restaurants have become more and more popular. Identifying the customer expectations and Chinese fine-dining restaurant owner perceptions will help Chinese service providers to understand better the restaurant businesses. To ensure the development of the Chinese restaurant business in South Africa, it is very important to understand what South African customers want, whether there are differences between the Chinese restaurant owner perceptions of the service quality and South African customer expectations of the service quality. This would depend on the customers’ preferences, and provide a positive contribution to customer decision-making. Therefore, it is essential to understand and identify what is customer expectations are, what the management perceptions are and the differences between them. 5 In order to achieve the objectives of the research, the following approach was followed: Factors that influence the customer expectations and management perceptions are explained. Five factors used to measure the service quality of Chinese fine-dining restaurants are identified, namely reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, tangibility. The responses to the questionnaire were collected and analysed to determine the extent to which factors are both important to customer expectations and management perceptions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The influence of the electricity distribution restructuring on the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Bukula, Mvuleni Joseph
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Electric power distribution -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Electric power distribution -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Electric power distribution -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8715 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/928 , Electric power distribution -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Electric power distribution -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Electric power distribution -- South Africa
- Description: The objective of this research is to assess the impact to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality due to ongoing Electricity Distribution Industry Restructuring in South Africa as directed by the Electricity Distribution Industry Holdings on behalf of the Department of Minerals and Energy’s adopted Electricity Distribution Blue Print Report of 2001. Literature review of scholarly literature was conducted on privatisation of public utilities that offered an international perspective on experiences of other countries that has undergone similar experiences of restructuring of public assets, the state of Electricity Supply Industry in South Africa with the demonstration of structural financial and physical flows and historical background of the restructuring, proposed future model and strategic plans to achieve the future goals. Research methodology and design was done through combination of the four-research types classification in their order of sophistication except the predictive research, namely exploratory, descriptive, and analytical or explanatory researches with a further inclusion of deductive research. The compilation of data through questionnaires was also employed. Perceptions on internal impact to the NMBM due to electricity services restructuring were solicited from the sample of the top management of the NMBM, the intention was to ensure the economies of scale, greater transparency and competition in terms of service delivery were sustained during and beyond Regional Electricity Distributor establishment. Financial position of NMBM as a critical instrument for its progress has to be protected to ensure it fulfils its constitutional development mandate. The findings of the research were in strong support of ensuring operational financial viability; to meet the legitimate employment, economic and social interest of all employees; development and implementation of change management strategies; and NMBM assuming leading role in the process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Bukula, Mvuleni Joseph
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Electric power distribution -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Electric power distribution -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Electric power distribution -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8715 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/928 , Electric power distribution -- South Africa -- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality , Electric power distribution -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Electric power distribution -- South Africa
- Description: The objective of this research is to assess the impact to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality due to ongoing Electricity Distribution Industry Restructuring in South Africa as directed by the Electricity Distribution Industry Holdings on behalf of the Department of Minerals and Energy’s adopted Electricity Distribution Blue Print Report of 2001. Literature review of scholarly literature was conducted on privatisation of public utilities that offered an international perspective on experiences of other countries that has undergone similar experiences of restructuring of public assets, the state of Electricity Supply Industry in South Africa with the demonstration of structural financial and physical flows and historical background of the restructuring, proposed future model and strategic plans to achieve the future goals. Research methodology and design was done through combination of the four-research types classification in their order of sophistication except the predictive research, namely exploratory, descriptive, and analytical or explanatory researches with a further inclusion of deductive research. The compilation of data through questionnaires was also employed. Perceptions on internal impact to the NMBM due to electricity services restructuring were solicited from the sample of the top management of the NMBM, the intention was to ensure the economies of scale, greater transparency and competition in terms of service delivery were sustained during and beyond Regional Electricity Distributor establishment. Financial position of NMBM as a critical instrument for its progress has to be protected to ensure it fulfils its constitutional development mandate. The findings of the research were in strong support of ensuring operational financial viability; to meet the legitimate employment, economic and social interest of all employees; development and implementation of change management strategies; and NMBM assuming leading role in the process.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The relevance of person-environment fit amongst human resource graduates from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University within the Nelson Mandela Metropole
- Authors: Matthysen, Megan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Environmental psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Students -- Psychological aspects , Students -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9402 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1186 , Environmental psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Students -- Psychological aspects , Students -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This study sought to investigate the relevance of Person-Environment (P-E) fit amongst Human Resource (HR) graduates from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) within the Nelson Mandela Metropole (NMM). A secondary objective of this study was to determine whether P-E fit was a determinant of Human Resource (HR) graduates’ migration. The study comprised a pilot study and main study (n=50). The study was qualitative in nature, but incorporated a quantitative research component to support the qualitative research findings. Results showed that HR graduates from the NMMU perceived P-E fit as important. Immense emphasis was placed on achieving P-E fit by means of finding employment related to Human Resource Management (HRM). The lack of P-E fit, amongst HR graduates, was furthermore revealed as a determinant of graduate migration. HR graduates would relocate to pursue a career in HRM. Implications of the findings are that organisations should use the theoretical knowledge of HR graduates to develop their skills and broaden their practical knowledge. This will secure competent future HR managers for the NMM and help to combat scarce skills migrations from the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Matthysen, Megan
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Environmental psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Students -- Psychological aspects , Students -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9402 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1186 , Environmental psychology -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Students -- Psychological aspects , Students -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This study sought to investigate the relevance of Person-Environment (P-E) fit amongst Human Resource (HR) graduates from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) within the Nelson Mandela Metropole (NMM). A secondary objective of this study was to determine whether P-E fit was a determinant of Human Resource (HR) graduates’ migration. The study comprised a pilot study and main study (n=50). The study was qualitative in nature, but incorporated a quantitative research component to support the qualitative research findings. Results showed that HR graduates from the NMMU perceived P-E fit as important. Immense emphasis was placed on achieving P-E fit by means of finding employment related to Human Resource Management (HRM). The lack of P-E fit, amongst HR graduates, was furthermore revealed as a determinant of graduate migration. HR graduates would relocate to pursue a career in HRM. Implications of the findings are that organisations should use the theoretical knowledge of HR graduates to develop their skills and broaden their practical knowledge. This will secure competent future HR managers for the NMM and help to combat scarce skills migrations from the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of belief systems in entrepreneurship : a Christian perspective
- Authors: Boshoff, Leslie Ian
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Business -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Success in business , Belief and doubt
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8664 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1271 , Business -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Success in business , Belief and doubt
- Description: The world needs entrepreneurs now more than ever; fresh thinkers, who spot opportunities and apply their talents to overcome obstacles to make their ideas happen. Entrepreneurs need to reframe the recession as an area of business opportunity for all. They must unleash their innovative ideas around the world and inspire solutions that will tackle issues ranging from poverty, unemployment and climatic change. It is the fundamental precept of the Christian faith that God calls not only ministers and other spiritual workers, but everyone to specific roles in his kingdom. Christian Entrepreneurs must realise that their calling to establish and lead business organisations that are designed to achieve results in the secular world. Christian Entrepreneur Organisations differ from secular businesses because they do business while being led by the Holy Spirit. Christian Entrepreneurship is the return of unfulfilled business leaders to the sense of "calling" enjoyed by fellow laity in the U.S.A. and Western Europe prior to the 20th Century. The goal is to develop a business that blends business excellence and entrepreneurship with Christian Biblical and theological perspectives. This exploratory study investigated the role of the Christian faith in Entrepreneurship and in Entrepreneurial businesses. The study identified some of the Christian business practices and introduced the reader to the different approaches this group of entrepreneurs have to that of the secular business equivalent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Boshoff, Leslie Ian
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Business -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Success in business , Belief and doubt
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8664 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1271 , Business -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Success in business , Belief and doubt
- Description: The world needs entrepreneurs now more than ever; fresh thinkers, who spot opportunities and apply their talents to overcome obstacles to make their ideas happen. Entrepreneurs need to reframe the recession as an area of business opportunity for all. They must unleash their innovative ideas around the world and inspire solutions that will tackle issues ranging from poverty, unemployment and climatic change. It is the fundamental precept of the Christian faith that God calls not only ministers and other spiritual workers, but everyone to specific roles in his kingdom. Christian Entrepreneurs must realise that their calling to establish and lead business organisations that are designed to achieve results in the secular world. Christian Entrepreneur Organisations differ from secular businesses because they do business while being led by the Holy Spirit. Christian Entrepreneurship is the return of unfulfilled business leaders to the sense of "calling" enjoyed by fellow laity in the U.S.A. and Western Europe prior to the 20th Century. The goal is to develop a business that blends business excellence and entrepreneurship with Christian Biblical and theological perspectives. This exploratory study investigated the role of the Christian faith in Entrepreneurship and in Entrepreneurial businesses. The study identified some of the Christian business practices and introduced the reader to the different approaches this group of entrepreneurs have to that of the secular business equivalent.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of performance management in the motivation of employees : a case study
- Authors: Zwane, Themba Lambert
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Performance standards -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8595 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1090 , Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Performance standards -- South Africa
- Description: After a review of the literature relevant to performance management systems both over time and across different types of organizations, this thesis confines its research To a case study of the Role of Performance Management in The Motivation of Employees in an organization. Important insight was gained into the relative importance of the performance management practices to promote desired employee outcomes. In view thereof that a discussion of performance in organizations is incomplete without reference to the construct of organizational culture, this study also provided propositions to prompt further research on the role of performance management in reinforcing a high performance organizational culture. Insightful conclusions were drawn from the results obtained and recommendations are made for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Zwane, Themba Lambert
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Performance standards -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8595 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1090 , Performance -- Management , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa , Employee motivation -- South Africa , Performance standards -- South Africa
- Description: After a review of the literature relevant to performance management systems both over time and across different types of organizations, this thesis confines its research To a case study of the Role of Performance Management in The Motivation of Employees in an organization. Important insight was gained into the relative importance of the performance management practices to promote desired employee outcomes. In view thereof that a discussion of performance in organizations is incomplete without reference to the construct of organizational culture, this study also provided propositions to prompt further research on the role of performance management in reinforcing a high performance organizational culture. Insightful conclusions were drawn from the results obtained and recommendations are made for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The role of strategic supply chain management in liquor retail
- Authors: Oppong, George
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa , Physical distribution of goods -- Management , Retail trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8723 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/895 , Business logistics -- South Africa , Physical distribution of goods -- Management , Retail trade -- South Africa
- Description: The underlying objective of this research was to assess the extent to which an efficient supply chain can help retail businesses; particularly liquor businesses to manage their business risks. The case study firm for the research was Big Daddy’s Group, one of the leading independent liquor distribution and retailing firms in South Africa. In order to achieve the objective of the research, a review of relevant literature was done. It began with literature review of retailing in general, highlighting on the major roles they play and the modern trends in the industry. Afterwards the literature was narrowed down to liquor retailing. This was done to ascertain the unique characteristics of that aspect of retailing including the regulations guiding the industry and the specific business risks in that business. The final part of the literature review was on specific concepts and management models such as value chain, supply chain as well as business risk and its management. The literature highlighted the means by which the retailer creates value for the customer and the inherent risks in the industry. There was the indication of supply chain being a key component of the value creating activities (value chain) of the business, and serving as a tool in mitigating possible risks. The literature provided the theoretical proposition (hypothesis) for the assessment of the case study findings from the Big Daddy’s Group. The data collection exercise was done by means of a questionnaire complimented by personal interview. Due to the nature of the firm, in terms of structure and operations, two persons, with considerable insight into the business, the director and the sales/area manager were interviewed for the exercise. The questions posed were categorised into seven key areas of retail operations such as product range, imports, customer awareness, marketing and advertising, supply chain and human resource. The findings were compared with the theoretical propositions developed in the literature review, and the pattern matching logic technique was used to determine the existence or not of any similar predictions or differences. The risks identified in the findings were analysed with the logic of an efficient supply chain as the mitigating tool. The conclusion was that supply chain management is key to the value creation activities and hence the survival of the business. The recommendation therefore is that the retailer should ensure the efficient management of the supply chain network since it has the potential to reduce the inherent risks in their operations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Oppong, George
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Business logistics -- South Africa , Physical distribution of goods -- Management , Retail trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8723 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/895 , Business logistics -- South Africa , Physical distribution of goods -- Management , Retail trade -- South Africa
- Description: The underlying objective of this research was to assess the extent to which an efficient supply chain can help retail businesses; particularly liquor businesses to manage their business risks. The case study firm for the research was Big Daddy’s Group, one of the leading independent liquor distribution and retailing firms in South Africa. In order to achieve the objective of the research, a review of relevant literature was done. It began with literature review of retailing in general, highlighting on the major roles they play and the modern trends in the industry. Afterwards the literature was narrowed down to liquor retailing. This was done to ascertain the unique characteristics of that aspect of retailing including the regulations guiding the industry and the specific business risks in that business. The final part of the literature review was on specific concepts and management models such as value chain, supply chain as well as business risk and its management. The literature highlighted the means by which the retailer creates value for the customer and the inherent risks in the industry. There was the indication of supply chain being a key component of the value creating activities (value chain) of the business, and serving as a tool in mitigating possible risks. The literature provided the theoretical proposition (hypothesis) for the assessment of the case study findings from the Big Daddy’s Group. The data collection exercise was done by means of a questionnaire complimented by personal interview. Due to the nature of the firm, in terms of structure and operations, two persons, with considerable insight into the business, the director and the sales/area manager were interviewed for the exercise. The questions posed were categorised into seven key areas of retail operations such as product range, imports, customer awareness, marketing and advertising, supply chain and human resource. The findings were compared with the theoretical propositions developed in the literature review, and the pattern matching logic technique was used to determine the existence or not of any similar predictions or differences. The risks identified in the findings were analysed with the logic of an efficient supply chain as the mitigating tool. The conclusion was that supply chain management is key to the value creation activities and hence the survival of the business. The recommendation therefore is that the retailer should ensure the efficient management of the supply chain network since it has the potential to reduce the inherent risks in their operations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009