A framework of macroeconomic factors to be considered when evaluating commercial real estate development in sub-Saharan Africa
- Authors: Lawson, Stephen
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Commercial real estate -- Development -- Sub-Saharan Africa , Real estate investment -- Sub-Saharan Africa Macroeconomics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40072 , vital:35745
- Description: Sub-Saharan Africa as a region is one with great potential given the positive demographic trends experienced in recent history, trends expected to continue into the future. The factors contributing to this positive demographic trend include, improved healthcare, education and life expectancy, all of which have contributed to a younger and growing population. The younger and growing population, the majority of which are located within the working age group, have resulted in high rates of urbanisation as the populous move from traditional rural areas to more urbanised areas and cities in search of greater opportunities, employment, and ultimately, better quality of life. The positive population growth and urbanisation trends exhibited in the region provide an opportunity to the role players in industry and commerce, as they seek to take advantage of the growing consumer base. Accordingly, commercial real estate developers active within the region have an opportunity to satisfy the growing needs of the market given the low levels of commercial real estate stock available in the region. However, historically the region has served as a poor investment destination for commercial real estate given the dynamic and occasionally volatile political, economic and legal environments. The opportunity presented to commercial real estate developers as a result of the positive demographic trends is met with large scale risks in the form of a dynamic and ever-changing macroeconomic environment within the region. To ensure the success, profitability and longevity of their commercial real estate developments, active real estate developers and in pursuit of commercial real estate development in sub-Saharan Africa need to approach the opportunities in a cautious and informed manner. The purpose of the study is to develop a framework which will identify a common set of macroeconomic factors and associated variables in order to assist South African real estate developers in the identification, mitigation and management of macroeconomic risks when evaluating commercial real estate in sub- Saharan Africa. A frame of reference was developed on the PESTEL Analysis in order to identify factors within the macroeconomic environment, following which a literature-driven framework was developed after an extensive literature review process, which identified macroeconomic risk variables associated with each of the factors identified. The literature-driven framework was then tested through a series of semi-structured interviews, which comprised five suitably qualified and experienced respondents who are real estate developers currently active in pursuit of commercial real estate development in sub-Saharan Africa and are currently employed by or own a real estate development organisation. Following the data analysis of the respondent interviews, a proposed framework was developed which detailed the macroeconomic factors and associated variables to be considered when evaluating commercial real estate development in sub-Saharan Africa, by providing a ranked scale of relevance for the variables associated with the respective macroeconomic risk factors identified. The development of the proposed framework is intended to assist South African real estate developers in the identification, mitigation and management of macroeconomic risks when evaluating the development of commercial real estate in sub-Saharan Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2019
A profile for a successful MBA candidate at the NMMU Business School
- Authors: Mafani, Mzilindile Claudius
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Business schools -- Admission , Universities and colleges
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8702 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1009509 , Business schools -- Admission , Universities and colleges
- Description: The objective of the study is to investigate and compare the 2010 first year intake students’ profile, for the NMMU Business School MBA programme with their module success rate against success indicators derived from previous literature and the SHL tests results in order to compile a conceptual framework as a guide to analyse the database used. The MBA success indicators, as provided in previous literature, were analysed by addressing the following: The psychometric tests as predictors of success; Age as a predictor of success; Cultural background as a predictor of success; Work experience as a predictor of success; and, Educational background as a predictor of success. The NMMU Business School MBA students’ historical data were used as a database for this study. The module pass rates were collated as part of the database, which included the students’ biographical information. The results of the SHL test battery used as the entrance test for admission could not be obtained as the information is regarded as confidential given that the nature of the assessment data requires certain training qualifications from users; and SHL South Africa was approached to collaborate on this study. SHL South Africa performed the statistical analysis and provided these for interpretation and use in the study. The study revealed that more than half of the NMMU MBA candidates did not complete the programme in the minimum prescribed period, as only 40.5 percent of the candidates completed successfully all modules in this period, and 52 percent of them were in the 30 -39 years-age category. It also revealed that 78.1 percent of those that had successfully completed the programme were males compared with the 21.9 percent of females that completed the course. The study showed that in the 59.5 percent of those that were not successful, 40.4 percent were females compared to 59.6 percent of unsuccessful males in the same sample. Although the pass rates ranged above 75 percent, only one module had the full sample writing the examination, and the lowest core module had 67percent candidates writing the examination. The current entrance process is recommended with improvements to increase the pass rates, throughputs, and to allow for a stricter analysis of the entrance test results.
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- Date Issued: 2012
A strategic entrepreneurial model to develop females for tourism related businesses
- Authors: Mazubane, Ewart Mphilisi
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Businesswomen -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-employed women -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Women-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Entrepreneurship -- Women -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Bed and breakfast accommodations -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8574 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1188 , Businesswomen -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Self-employed women -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Women-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Entrepreneurship -- Women -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Bed and breakfast accommodations -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Since the inception of the new dispensation, entrepreneurship has been identified as one of the key enablers of economic participation. For this reason the government has established strategic institutions and mandated them to promote entrepreneurship in the country with the aim of increasing economic participation and entrepreneurial activities. One of the key and the fastest growing industries that have been identified as needing attention with regards to increasing participation of the women entrepreneurs is the tourism industry. There is now a noticeable growth of women entrepreneurs in this industry. They are found running bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) and conducting tours in urban areas as well as townships and rural areas. This is further evident if one looks at the value chain in the tourism sector. However, women entrepreneurs that are found in this sector are facing specific challenges that hinder their progress towards achieving sustainable businesses, especially those running or intending to run B&B businesses. Some of these challenges are sector related and some are just inherent to pursuing an entrepreneurial journey. The participation of women in the mainstream of entrepreneurship presents unique challenges as well. Women were never allowed to participate fully in the entrepreneurial activities. The latter still contributes to the challenges faced by women in their journey towards developing and operating sustainable businesses irrespective of the industry in which they operate in. Based on the above discussion, the main problem statement of this study is: To develop a strategic entrepreneurial model to enable female entrepreneurs to operate sustainable B&B businesses in the tourism industry.
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- Date Issued: 2009
An analysis of the potential for the marketing of ostrich meat in S.A
- Authors: Wessels, Philippus Lodewikus
- Date: 2003
- Subjects: Ostriches -- South Africa , Ostrich products industry -- South Africa , Meat industry and trade -- South Africa , Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10930 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/202 , Ostriches -- South Africa , Ostrich products industry -- South Africa , Meat industry and trade -- South Africa , Marketing
- Description: The research program addressed in this study was to do an analysis of the potentials of the marketing of ostrich meat in the South African market. Being the world leader in the ostrich industry, the research’s emphasis was to establish reasons why the meat industry does not explore the South African meat market. To achieve this object, a literature study to determine the key components of the current situation was undertaken and used as a theoretical model to analyse the current situation in the market as well as in the ostrich industry. In addition to the literature study, an empirical study was conducted to identify some critical issues that have an influence on the potential of the domestic market. The survey method used, based on the key components gained from the literature study, consisted of an in-depth scan of the macro-environment and thorough investigation of the target industry. The investigation involved using the Internet and World Wide Web, print media, personal interviews and telephonic interviews. The result of the literature study was finally combined with the results of the empirical study and some recommendations were made. The recommendations were applicable to the ostrich industry in so far that implementing some plans for the meat industry can have serious consequences for the other products of the ostrich industry
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- Date Issued: 2003
An application of the choice experiment method to estimate willingness-to-pay for and guide management on estuarine recreational services
- Authors: Lee, Deborah Ellen
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Estuaries -- South Africa , Estuarine mitigation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8864 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020239
- Description: Among the world‘s ecosystems, estuaries have the highest total economic value per hectare. They are dynamic coastal biomes that provide a host of different goods and services to the surrounding terrestrial and aquatic environments and the people who utilise them. These goods and services include, inter alia, nursery areas for marine organisms, harvested natural resources (such as fish, shell-fish, bait organisms, reeds and mangroves), flood attenuation, water purification, nutrient and sediment sinks, waste disposal, transport, aesthetic beauty and areas for swimming, boating and fishing. Assessing the condition of estuaries is difficult as their state can change depending on what is being measured. Assessments have been carried out on the health of estuaries in South Africa with the results of these studies being used as inputs to the process of assessing the minimum water supply requirements for each estuary (ecological reserve) in order to maintain or improve its functionality. These ecological reserve requirements are assigned using Resource Directed Measures (RDM). These measures, however, have been criticised for being highly complex and too costly to implement for all South African estuaries within a reasonable time period. Another concern is that the levels of demand for recreational goods and services provided by the estuary are not taken into account when assessing estuarine value. It is important to understand that the use of estuaries for recreational purposes is inextricably linked to their health and sound ecological functioning. Although South African estuaries have been quite well buffered from impacts until only very recently, their use and pressures have escalated faster than what conservation authorities and policy makers have been prepared for over the last couple of decades. There is thus mounting pressure on estuaries as recreational outlets, which, in turn, has led to their functional deterioration as well as deterioration in the quality of the recreational experience as a whole. One implication for management is that more and more trade-offs have to be made in an attempt to balance the conservation and recreational use of estuaries.
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- Date Issued: 2012
An investigation of servant leadership within Rhodes University sports clubs
- Authors: Stiebel, Jessica Lee
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1021317
- Description: This research investigates the level of servant leadership within Rhodes University sport clubs. The goals of this research are to assess the perception the club members have of their chairperson and to key identify areas of development. The sport clubs at Rhodes University are partially run by chairpersons who are voted into the position by his or her peers of a sports club. The chairpersons work alongside Rhodes University employees who are a part of the Sports Administration team to oversee the running, scheduling and finances of the club. The sports clubs are representative of Rhodes University and it is the chairperson’s responsibility to ensure the club is lead and run effectively. Robert Greenleaf coined the term servant leader in the 1970s (Greenleaf, 1997). The servant leader is a leader who is driven by his or her followers, as leadership involves a leader serving his or her followers first and foremost (Greenleaf, 1977). The leader takes on a role that is supportive and contributes to their personal as well as their professional achievements (Smith, Montagno and Kuzmenko, 2004). A questionnaire consisting of 27 questions was drafted, of which were four demographic questions. A 5-point Likert Scale was used in order for the participants to respond to the questions. The questionnaire was drawn from a number of questionnaires available in literature on leadership and adapted to suit Rhodes University sports clubs. The questionnaire was distributed personally by the researcher, as well as through an online questionnaire. There were a total of 153 candidates who participated in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The majority of the respondents had the perceptions that their chairperson displayed characteristics of a servant leader. Majority of the participants were in agreement of the questions asked in the questionnaire, which focused on many servant leadership qualities. The results will be handed over to the Head of Sports Administration in order for them to get an idea of their leaders’ characteristics and areas where they can improve upon.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Analysis of the implementation of corporate level strategy in a South Afircan furniture retailer
- Authors: Nkatsha, Thembinkosi Sydney
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Reengineering (Management) , Consolidation and merger of corporations -- South Africa -- Case studies , Organizational change -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:856 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018272
- Description: [Integrative Summary] This study is situated in the complex field of change management, and strategy execution. The study focuses on the corporate level restructuring of Ellerine Holdings Limited (EHL), subsequent to its acquisition by the micro lending financial institution African Bank Investments Limited (ABIL). The interest of the researcher was aroused by the uniqueness of the relationship. This was the first of its kind in a South African context, where a banker owned a furniture retailer. The restructuring was undertaken shortly after the acquisition. This research paper adopted a case study approach, in describing the restructuring initiative that took place in EHL, focusing on the period between January 2008 and the end of 2010/ 11 financial year on the 30th of September 2011. The case captures the significant phases of the restructuring including a background of (1) the protagonist, Toni Fourie (Chief Executive Officer), (2) EHL as the researched company, (3) the industry it operates in, and (4) the case content. Brief teaching notes have been provided to explain the teaching value of the case and to assist with its delivery in the classroom. Attention is drawn to a presentation by the protagonist in November 2011, named 'A CEO Insight' where he gave an overview and insights of the road travelled in restructuring Ellerine Holdings Limited, and more importantly highlights the following about the purpose and nature of the restructuring of the organisation. • A plan to change the way the industry works. • The creation of a profitable, stand-alone retail business through: o The sale of two companies, the closure of two companies and consolidating from thirteen to six brands. o Separating financial services from retail. o Moving the financial services component to African Bank, also a subsidiary of ABIL. o Redesigning the credit model. o Completion of twelve system changes. • Over R600million reduction in cost • A place where people want to work. The restructuring outlined above represents a major shake-up in many aspects of the corporation. The main challenge for Toni Fourie and his team was: how best could they restructure EHL to extract synergies between their two subsidiaries Ellerine Holdings Limited & African Bank to increase shareholders ' value at Group level. The case seeks to describe this in detail. The overarching strategy underpinning the restructuring of the researched corporation is premised on the price volume elasticity equation, by reducing the cost of credit, thereby driving pricing down within the brands, and facilitating more people having access to affordable credit. The case study of the restructuring is presented in Section 1. A review of relevant literature on strategy implementation is presented in Section 2, focusing on restructuring. Successful implementation of strategies only takes place with structures that are developed by organisations to support the achievement of their strategic objectives. Organisational architecture and design have a critical role to play in the execution of organisational strategies. Nadler and Tushman (1978) emphasise the importance of congruence in the organisational design, for the organization to not only deliver superior results but to sustain them over a period of time. Research by Okumus (2005) seems to tell us that the lack of credible framework to implement strategy, has contributed the high failure rate of strategy initiatives. Although this is a strategy implementation case, it also touches on aspects of leadership - mainly the architectural role - and the role, or influence of strategic leadership, in restructuring the corporation. The results of this research paper were achieved by following a specific research methodology. The aim of the research was to analyse the restructuring of the researched company at corporate level, having the following objectives in mind; • Understanding the strategy. • Analysing the design decisions in the light of the strategy chosen by the top management of Ellerine Holdings Limited. • Analysing what monitoring and control measures had been designed to facilitate the corporate restructuring. Data was collected through documentation of the corporation that was made available to the researcher on request, as well as those that are in the public domain, and an interview with the CEO of the researched company. The interview was conducted after analysing the documentation (Hakim, 2000). The Methodology is detailed in Section 3. The researcher hopes that the case study will contribute to learning about business leadership and strategic management. The case should develop an understanding of the complexities related to strategy execution at corporate level, particularly the restructuring aspect of it.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Assessing the impact of qualified mathematics and science teachers in the Buffalo city area
- Authors: Kopolo, Lungiswa
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Employee retention -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality , Employees -- Recruiting -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality , Mathematics teachers -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality , Science teachers -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality , Education -- Personnel management , School -- Personnel management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8573 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1173 , Employee retention -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality , Employees -- Recruiting -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality , Mathematics teachers -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality , Science teachers -- South Africa -- Buffalo City Municipality , Education -- Personnel management , School -- Personnel management -- South Africa
- Description: Mathematics and science form an integral part people’s daily lives. South African people suddenly find themselves on a technological highway, where mathematical, scientific and creative thinking as well as problem solving skills take centre stage. However many people fear these, and believe that they are unable to tackle them. Mathematics and science educators therefore have need to have knowledge and understanding regarding 6 the foundation of the teaching of these subjects in the intermediate and senior phases at schools. This should enable them to contribute positively towards changing people’s perceptions about these subjects. Based on the above information I felt it imperative for me to investigate the impact of shortages of maths and science educators with special reference to the Buffalo City Area. Purpose of the study: 1 To determine whether schools are able to attract and retain qualified maths and science educators, 2 To identify the quantity of quality maths and science learners schools are able to produce for tertiary education, 3 To investigate the rate of turnover of maths and science educators, 4 To identify the number of maths and science learners who are willing to study maths and science at tertiary level and thereafter join the teaching fraternity.
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- Date Issued: 2009
Attracting and retaining customers in South Adrica's banking sector
- Authors: Anani, Ajibola Plakunle
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Customer relations -- Management , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8575 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1532 , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Customer relations -- Management , Consumer satisfaction -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: The business environment and the economy of the society today are continuously witnessing the impact of globalisation. Telecommunication advancement and transportation has greatly made the impact of globalisation to be felt. Globalisation though argued to have its merits and its demerits have resulted in fierce competition amongst businesses. The banking industry is not isolated from these competitions. Any business wishing to survive and stay profitable in the recent world must be able to compete in the global economy. Hence, for any bank to sustain itself and remain profitable it must be able to withstand the competition in the environment it operates. To be able to compete in the banking industry means delivering better services to customers than competitors. This study presents how the South African banks can satisfy their customers and remain profitable in the face of competition. The South African banking industry consists of local and foreign banks and these banks compete for customers in the environment in which they are located. Increase in different branches by different banks has made the competition even fierce. In other to suggest recommendations for the South African banks to satisfy their customers and become profitable, the researcher identified some problem areas that need to be improved upon. These include customer loyalty, relationship banking and electronic banking. These variables were researched to understand how they affect the banks and the customers and where tested using both a qualitative and a quantitative analysis to ascertain if the customers were satisfied with the banks‟ approach of managing these variables. The results indicated that the customers were satisfied to a lesser extent. Any bank wishing to satisfy its customers and remain profitable in other to compete in the industry needs to satisfy the customer to a large extent. Therefore, recommendations where suggested based on the empirical results to help improve the banking industry‟s ways of attracting and retaining customers. The former will lead to customer satisfaction which again will lead to increased profitability.
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- Date Issued: 2010
Balancing legislative and contractual obligations with government policy objectives and the commercial and economic sustainability of the Amathole Forestry Company (Pty.) LTD: a community benefit model designed for implementation by Amathole Forestry Company (Pty) Ltd
- Authors: Swift, Davron
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Community development -- South Africa -- Amathole District Municipality , Economic development -- South Africa -- Amathole District Municipality -- Citizen participation , Forests and forestry -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Amathole District Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3185 , vital:20409
- Description: The fundamental objective of this research is to design and propose an appropriate community benefit model that can be implemented by a forestry company in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. De Beer, Rutsch and Eliffe (1998) describe community benefits as a collection of social and economic opportunities through which people are able to improve the quality of their lives or the lives of others. This study proposes a model that can be implemented in a manner that is mutually beneficial to the forestry company concerned and its community stakeholders.
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- Date Issued: 2014
Blockchain potential and disruptors for South Africa towards 2030
- Authors: Muntean, George
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Electronic funds transfers -- Security measures , Blockchains (Databases) Finance -- Technological innovations Technological innovations -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/41603 , vital:36544
- Description: Blockchain (also called distributed ledger technology), the technology that underpins cryptocurrencies, is resulting in a new era of openness, decentralisation and global inclusion (World Economic Forum, 2017). Blockchain technology is set to complement another emerging field or group of technologies which are collectively defined as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This revolution is characterised by a “range of new technologies that are blending the physical, digital and biological worlds, impacting all disciplines, economies and industries, and even challenging ideas about what it means to be human” (World Economic Forum, 2017). Certain features of Blockchain technology namely; decentralisation, implied anonymity, transparency and immutability presents people with a technology that may well transform business models and indeed entire industries in the world and in South Africa. Some of these industries are explored further in this research, delving into ideas of how Blockchains may add value to them. This research effort approaches Blockchain technology from a future studies perspective, and assesses whether South Africa is ready to embrace the technology. The research also explores what South African stakeholders can do to be better prepared for expected disruptors and opportunities that the technology will bring. South Africa is seen as a developing nation in the global context and can well benefit from strategic use of emerging technologies such as Blockchain. This research effort will implement Inayatullah’s (2008) six pillars methodology, incorporating the various tools and methodologies within each pillar, in an effort to describe and present possible future scenarios for Blockchains in South Africa. This insight will be used to provide well thought out strategic recommendations for South Africa to prepare for adoption of Blockchain technologies, which could ultimately provide a competitive advantage for the country in the global marketplace.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Competitive strategies and entry strategies of low cost airline incumbent 1time Airline
- Authors: Potgieter, Diane
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: 1time Airline (South Africa) 1time Airline (South Africa) -- Planning Airlines -- South Africa -- Management Airlines -- South Africa -- Marketing Airlines -- South Africa -- Cost of operation Competition -- South Africa Strategic planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:810 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007606
- Description: This dissertation reports on the factors that contributed to the successful entry strategy of 1time Airline, a low cost carrier, into the South African airline industry as well as its competitive strategies within this context. Research interviews were conducted in November 2005 and research material gathered until end January 2006. Key issues include an evaluation of 1time's business model in relation to other low cost entrants as well as against material sourced through interviews with 1time Airline management, employees and consumers of the airline's product. Porter's Generic Strategies and Five Forces model are used as a framework in evaluating the airline. It is found that Nohria, Joyce and Robertson's "4+2 Formula" is effectively implemented at the airline, but that further implementation of Game Theory in terms of alliances should be investigated for continued success and sustainability.
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- Date Issued: 2007
Consumers’ perception of generic drugs in South Africa
- Authors: Boltman, Tamarah
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Consumers' preferences -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa Consumer education -- South Africa , Generic drugs -- Moral and ethical aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14664 , vital:27815
- Description: Medicines play a pivotal role in the process of human development as their rational utilization can decrease morbidity and mortality as well as improve quality of life (Jamshed, Hassali, Ibrahim, Shafie, & Babar, 2010). Access to therapeutic drugs form an integral part of any successful healthcare system. The high cost of medicines, is a barrier to accessibility and improved health to the majority of the South African population (Bangalee, 2015). In developing countries with limited healthcare budgets, such as South Africa, generic drugs (medicines) can be a cost-saving treatment alternative, resulting in medical expenditure being reduced and access to scarce resources increased (Van der Westhuizen, Burger, Lubbe, Serfontein, 2010). There is very little knowledge on perception and attitude of South African citizens with regard to use of generic drugs (Bangalee, 2015). Consumer perception can have a large impact on the choice of medicines or drugs chosen. The study intended to find out what the current consumer beliefs, attitudes, behaviours and knowledge of generic drugs are. There was also intent to establish if lack of awareness or misconception about generic drugs influence consumer choice. The study consists of a literature review of the definition of generic drugs and original or branded drugs, their influence in the public and private health sector, factors that influence consumer behaviour, brand effect, brand trust, brand loyalty, and most importantly the South Africa acceptance of generic drugs. Primary data was collected, reported and analysed through the use of a questionnaire to determine the current consumers’ belief, attitude, behaviour and knowledge of generic drugs. The study results reveal that scepticism does exists, yet there was clear acceptance, but still lack of confidence in generic drugs. Consumer education and information is the key to increased generic drug acceptance.
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- Date Issued: 2017
Corporate social responsibility: evaluating three South African Companies' initiatives
- Authors: Fourie, Neil
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- South Africa Case studies , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8563 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/568 , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa Case studies , Social responsibility of business -- South Africa
- Description: The aim of this research project was to evaluate the available theoretical information on Corporate Social Responsibility and with this knowledge to then also evaluate three companieś initiatives based on this information. Gone are the days when an organisation could do business for the sole purpose of making a profit. If the organisation does not take the environment into account in doing business, or if the community where this organisation is situated or does business, feel “abused” or that their needs are not being addressed, the organisation will not survive and its future sustainability can not be assured or guaranteed. This has been proven internationally, but how does South African organisations fare when it comes to corporate social responsibility, and more specifically, what social responsible initiatives are taken? The research also attempted to determine how “industry specific” the three companies'́ initiatives are and whether any changes in initiative-directions should be considered. The Social Responsibility Initiatives of Woolworths, ENGEN and SABMiller (South Africa) were evaluated and certain shortcomings were identified and presented to the various companies. These companies deliver excellent products and services to their client base, but it was felt that should adherence be given to the recommendations that were made, the mentioned companies could in future improve their turnover, market position and increase their client support base. Finally, it could also assist in increasing brand loyalty amongst their customers.
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- Date Issued: 2006
Critical success factors of information security projects
- Authors: Tshabalala, Obediant
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Management information systems Business enterprises -- Computer networks -- Security measures Information technology projects -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/10397 , vital:26746
- Description: The research shows the critical success factors when implementing information security projects. Many Information security projects in the past have not been successful because these factors were not identified and emphasised effectively. By identifying these factors the research basically presents a model by which information security projects can be executed with guaranteed success. The factors identified during the study cover the following streams: top management commitment as a factor of success; accountability as a factor of success; responsibility as a factor of success; awareness as a factor of success and an information security policy as a factor of success. For the empirical study, a physical questionnaire was administrated to a pool of experts in project management and information security. The study consisted of 60 participants who were verified to have minimum requirements core for questionnaire completion. The questionnaire requested for biological information of the participants and their perceived relations (based on their experience) between project success versus accountability, information security project success versus responsibilities, information security project success versus training & awareness, information security project success versus top management commitment and information security project success versus information security policy. The participants’ responses were structured according to a Likert-type scale. Participants had to indicate the extent to which they agreed with each of the statements in the questionnaire. The responses obtained from the survey were presented and analysed. The researcher observed in this study that information security projects are so specific that critical success factors need to be emphasised from project inception. With the identified critical success factors, the researcher recommends that a project methodology be structured to include these factors so that there is a standard in running information security projects successfully. The researcher also identified that amongst the critical success factors identified, there are some that need to be emphasised more than the others due to their level of importance in such projects.
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- Date Issued: 2016
Customer relations management in SMMEs: an integrated approach
- Authors: Sandekela, Lindela Prince
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Customer relations -- Management , Small business -- South Africa -- Management , Customer services
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8725 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/889 , Customer relations -- Management , Small business -- South Africa -- Management , Customer services
- Description: The research study was conducted to cover the Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) retail industry with direct emphasis on the supermarket industry. The research problem is as a result of the retail businesses in the BCM that continue to consider that if they have large data warehouses with masses of customer information, they have all what it takes to run a profitable business. Their failure to understand the organizational implications of moving towards a customer-centric approach often results in high costs from bad customer service and handling of customer complaints. The main problem was stated and sub-problems introduced from the main problem to address them by way of qualitative and quantitative research. Related literature was reviewed on Redefining the Customer, Customer Satisfaction and Customer Relationship Management and a Customer Management Model was proposed. During empirical survey, a questionnaire based on literature reviewed was designed for the survey. A pilot study was conducted to identify and rectify problems and shortcomings relating to the questionnaire. The pilot study indicated that the data likely to be collected will address the main and sub-problems of the research. A total of thirty five questionnaires which contained closed-ended and open-ended questions were distributed to the population sample as selected. Results of the study were critically analysed and interpreted quantitatively and qualitatively by means of tables and discussion for the development of an Integrated Model for managing customers. The analysis of the study which was based on the literature reviewed and the findings from the empirical survey were concluded to present a solution to the problem. In view of the shortcomings identified by the literature review and integration thereof with the results of the empirical study, an Integrated Customer Management Model was developed.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Development of a performance management system for the SABC (Port Elizabeth)
- Authors: Nyembezi, Vuyo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Performance standards -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Performance -- Management -- Evaluation , Performance -- Measurement , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8678 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1148 , Performance standards -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Performance -- Management -- Evaluation , Performance -- Measurement , Employees -- Rating of -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: This study focused on exploring and finding the ideal performance management system suitable for the South African Broadcasting Corporation by establishing an understanding of employees’ experiences and perceptions of the previous and a proposed performance management systems and their value to SABC employees. This was done by eliciting how employees see, make sense of and interpret their everyday experiences of performance management systems, in order to develop a more suitable inclusive performance management system. A qualitative study was used to seek answers to the research questions. A focus group interview was selected for data collection. The data was analysed according to guidelines indicated and proposed by Creswell (1998:147-148). The researcher made use of convenience sampling to select 45 participants in 5 groups for the focus groups. One group consisted of managers/supervisors, and the other four groups were employees from four different business units. Participants were guaranteed confidentiality. Credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability were used as the main components in the model, to determine the truth-value of the study. Findings indicated that there was a fair understanding of the previous performance management system but there had been poor implementation of the system. The participants concurred that the previous performance iv management systems in the organisations were not adding any value to their lives. They pointed out that there was no reward in place for high performers and no action taken for non-performers, and this impacted negatively on how implementation was perceived and experienced. The recommendations are that the revised performance management system should have a stronger emphasis on effective management, monitoring, feedback and reward. Furthermore, the system should close the current gaps of reward for high performance and correction of low performance. It was further concluded that for a performance management system to be effective, it should incorporate updated job descriptions, performance measures and standards, as well as evaluator training and guidelines for improvement, employee input, compensation and/or rewards.
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- Date Issued: 2009
Entrepreneurship education at a FET college
- Authors: Cook, Vania Saretta
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship -- Study and teaching , Business education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8637 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008071 , Entrepreneurship -- Study and teaching , Business education
- Description: The previous economic structure in South Africa was well served by the FET College institutions in that they provided a resource pool for large companies and organisations. This however, developed a student mindset of becoming an employee instead of the employer of an organisation. With an economy in transition, privately owned companies or organisations now account for an increasing proportion of economic development. Hence, FET Colleges need to redefine their role in the economy and society, specifically in the type of entrepreneurship courses they offer. This study examines the provision of entrepreneurship education at a FET College in the Eastern Cape with special reference to the levels of provision, support mechanisms, course objectives, contents, teaching and assessment methods to ascertain whether they are appropriately developed to prepare students for entrepreneurship as a career option. This study followed a qualitative research paradigm, implementing a case study approach during the research. In order to analyse the above, the New Venture Creation and Entrepreneurship and Business Management students were selected for this study. Data were collected by handing out questionnaires to a sample of 200 students to assess entrepreneurship courses and pedagogies. The results of this study, indicate that entrepreneurship education at a specific FET College is not enabling the students with sufficient knowledge and skills to start their own business. The results indicate a low level of entrepreneurship education and a weak standing of entrepreneurship courses, which tend to only be part of the Finance course offered within the Business Studies Department at a FET College. Contributing factors to this low level of entrepreneurship education have been identified by lack of support mechanisms by management, the theoretical orientation of entrepreneurship curriculum, teaching methods and assessment of tasks. Based on these findings, it is strongly suggested that this FET College should: (1) develop specialised entrepreneurship programmes for all students; (2) receive special funding for entrepreneurship education; (3) integrate experiential learning in the curriculum; and (4) give special consideration to training entrepreneurship educators.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Establish to what extent small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Port Elizabeth CBD comply with good governance principles and practices
- Authors: Mpafa, Dumisani
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Corporate governance , Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10904 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/163 , Corporate governance , Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Throughout the world, corporate or good governance has become such a dominating terminology in the ever -increasing business vocabulary. Its fast rise and strategic relevance to the global business communi ty is part ly due to the desi re by the business leaders wor ldwide to be seen to be doing something about the scourge of corporate failures resulting f rom poor governance. The objective of the research was to establish to what extent Smal l and Medium Enterpr ises (SMEs) comply with good governance principles and practices. The SMEs in the Port Elizabeth CBD were chosen as the representative population of the SME sector throughout the country. The research methodology included: A li terature study to determine, on the one hand the current good governance pract ices global ly, and on the other the role, relevance and the challenges of the SMEs in the South Af rican Economy. An empir ical study in order to obtain the empir ical evidence concerning SME compliance to good governance principles and pract ice. This was done through a survey of SME sector in the Port Elizabeth CBD. Lastly, the conclusion and recommendations. The conclusion was reached, inter alia, that the major ity of SMEs do not comply wi th good governance principles and pract ices for various reasons. Therefore the following recommendations were made: Recommended that the organisational accountants appointed in terms of the law should not confine themselves to the financial aspects of the business only, but also look at governance of these small businesses. Recommended that a sub-code for SMEs be developed. Recommended that the existing code of governance be amended to include a clause that requires large and establish businesses to insist on good governance in the SMEs they deal with at any level. Recommended that the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should develop a qualification or unit standard on good governance to facilitate training on good governance. Since good governance knowledge is a key competence for every manager, especially senior management. It is recommended that institutions of higher learning should have good governance in their curriculum.
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- Date Issued: 2005
Evaluating social media participation for successful marketing and communication by selected private game reserves, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Booth, Tara
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Social media -- Economic aspects , Online social networks -- Economic aspects , Game reserves -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Marketing , Internet marketing -- Economic aspects , Social media -- Marketing , Tourism -- Marketing , Communication in management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:843 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015692
- Description: Social media has become one of the defining features of the technological advances known as Web 2.0. As social media has increased in popularity, so businesses are expected to participate. Social media platforms enable businesses to widely broadcast a message as well as interact directly with individual customers. Customers are also able to interact directly with one another and share information and reviews about products and services offered. This suits the tourism industry particularly well. Internationally, research has shown that individuals use social media and other online tools to research potential holiday destinations. In addition social media is used during travel to share snapshots and commentary as well as after travel, through reviews and recommendations on platforms such as TripAdvisor. However, few studies have investigated how tourism destinations use social media to attract new clients and retain existing clients. Very little research has been done on tourism and social media in South Africa despite the importance of this industry to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This study focused on four-star establishments within the photographic wildlife tourism industry in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. An initial survey of social media participation was carried out within the framework set out by Chan and Guillet (2011); this was then followed up with interviews with selected managers. Results showed that, in general, Private Game Reserves (PGRs) had embraced social media as a communication and marketing platform; despite concerns raised about the lack of control over content as well as poor understanding of the influence social media might have on the bottom line. TripAdvisor, Facebook and Twitter were the most commonly used platforms due to management familiarity with the platform and their ease of use. Few lodges utilised blogs or content sites such as YouTube and management cited time commitments associated with this type of platform as a reason for non-participation. However, although most PGRs or lodges had a profile on social media, this did not always mean active participation. Frequently, lodges began updating but gradually stopped after a few months. It was noted however that only one of the lodges interviewed retained an individual whose sole responsibility was social media; generally lodges did not feel that a dedicated person was necessary. This may result in a lack of time available on the part of the individual responsible or simply be a case of not understanding the platform or how to use it effectively. However, none of the PGRs with poor social media participation responded to interview requests and therefore it was not possible to determine the reasons for their poor participation. Among those lodges that actively participated, most succeed in retaining fans and followers through consistent posting of relevant and interesting content as well as customised responses that encouraged fans or followers’ interaction. However, there did not appear to be any evidence of using social media to learn about fans and followers in order to better customise the lodge offerings. This may not be necessary in this type of industry as PGRs sell a specific product and have a limited ability to customise offerings. In addition, there may be other sources of market information which lodges prefer to use. Special offers, competitions and promotions had limited success on social media. Generally, lodges used social media to promote links to a dedicated competition or promotions page. In conclusion, the managers interviewed felt strongly that social media had made a measureable impact on the tourism industry and was a channel that was here to stay. Further research around the best practice and most effective use will enable PGRs to develop and maintain effective strategies for social media participation.
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- Date Issued: 2013