Factors that influence warranty costs at Volkswagen South Africa
- Authors: Blignaut, Bevan Hyron
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Warranty , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa , Total quality management , Quality assurance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8944 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013088
- Description: Driving a vehicle while it is within the warranty period provide customers with assurance that should a failure occur on the vehicle, there would be no financial obligation for the customer to repair the vehicle. For the manufacturer, it is a huge financial obligation to repair or replace components that fail on the vehicle. The research conducted in this study explores and identifies the main reasons for high warranty costs as well as the reasons that do not influence high warranty costs at VWSA. The purpose of this research is to provide VWSA with a potential starting point to reduce warranty costs and increase profits. The study revealed that the main cause of high warranty costs at VWSA was related to the quality of vehicles. By improving the quality of vehicles produced, VWSA could reduce a significant portion of the warranty costs it spends each year. With reduced warranty costs, VWSA could increase the warranty period and thereby attract more customers to purchase VW products. In a cutthroat automotive industry, this would ensure a competitive advantage over rivals; maintain longevity, increase profits and continued success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The influence of student engagement on the academic success of first-year human resource management diploma students
- Authors: De Villiers, Bridget
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Academic achievement -- South Africa , College freshmen -- South Africa -- Attitudes , Universities and colleges -- Curricula -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9391 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020792
- Description: Student success rates in South African higher education institutions are unacceptable. There are many contextual challenges facing these institutions, some as a result of the legacy of the apartheid educational system and some related to the challenges surrounding increased access to higher education. The impact in terms of the costs associated with re-educating students and the added pressure of readmitting failed students into continually growing classes, are substantial. In addition, there is a growing contention that the level of preparedness of students is declining. All of these challenges place immense pressure on academics to support students and ensure acceptable pass rates. There are numerous factors, both academic and non-academic, which have an influence on academic success including prior academic achievement, the academic experience, institutional expectations and commitment, finances, family support and university support services. Many factors are beyond the control of higher education. Student engagement, however, appears to be one factor over which educators have some control. Student engagement may be defined as student involvement in educationally purposive activities. For the purposes of this study two main factors contributing to student engagement were explored. Firstly, the amount of time and effort that the student spends on academic and other activities that lead to experiences and outcomes that constitute academic success. This factor was termed “student behaviours”. Secondly, the ways in which the institution allocates resources and organises learning opportunities and services in such a way as to induce the student to participate in and benefit from these activities. This factor was termed “institutional conditions”. The main research problem of this study was to determine the influence of student engagement on the academic success of first-year Human Resource Management (HRM) students at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The main research problem had five sub-problems which were addressed through the following actions: A literature study was conducted, highlighting the challenges faced in higher education, building a case for student engagement and identifying the factors that contribute towards student engagement, more specifically the student behaviours and institutional conditions. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with staff members lecturing first-year HRM diploma students at NMMU, with students registered as second- and third-year HRM diploma students, and with a staff member of the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Media (CTLM) at NMMU, to obtain their views on the nature of student engagement and its impact on academic success, as well as the student behaviours and institutional conditions that contribute towards student engagement. The insights gained from the literature survey and the interviews were incorporated into a survey questionnaire which was developed for use in the empirical study to identify the existence and levels of the student behaviours and perceived institutional conditions that contributed towards student engagement among HRM diploma students who were in their first year of study at NMMU in 2012. The final year marks achieved by these HRM diploma students in their first year of study were obtained and correlated with the levels of engagement identified as part of the empirical study. The results of the study revealed that the respondents demonstrated a fair range of the student behaviours which are conducive to promoting student engagement. Their perception of the existence of institutional conditions conducive to promoting student engagement was good. The results also revealed a significant positive correlation between the average final year mark and “student-staff interaction” for both student behaviours and institutional conditions. A significant relationship was revealed between student behaviours and institutional conditions related to “academic focus”, “student-staff interaction” and “social integration”. In exploring the relationship between selected demographic variables and academic success, living arrangements emerged as an important consideration in promoting academic success as all the respondents who failed, lived far from the university. First generation learners were found not to achieve the levels of success of their peers who have had exposure to family members and significant others with tertiary experience. Overall the importance of good relationships between students and staff in promoting engagement and ensuring academic success emerged as an important factor. The importance of improving student success rates should be of paramount importance to all educators. The factors contributing towards student success are numerous and vast. Educators who understand the nature of student engagement and are aware of the student behaviours and institutional conditions that can be promoted in the higher education setting to improve engagement could become more effective in improving student success rates. Their efforts could be further enhanced if students are made aware of how their behaviour, understanding and utilisation of the resources, learning opportunities and services provided by the institution, can positively influence their academic success.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Online marketing of commercial and industrial properties and services in a small business
- Authors: Jansen van Rensburg, Charmaine
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Internet marketing , Real estate management -- South Africa -- Marketing , Online information services -- Marketing , Business planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9328 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020988
- Description: In view of the factors influencing and the steps in the design of a Website, building a successful Website will vary from business to business. This study investigates what is required from a small commercial and industrial property and services business to take their business online and create an effective Website. The environment of the property market reflected the role that government plays in the property industry and also the role of the private sector. Marketing in the real estate context indicated that if real estate agents have access to the right type of information, not only can they add value to their own organizations, but they can also capitalize on the same information to create added value for their clients. The elements of the marketing management process include four steps, namely to gather information, to set marketing goals and plan strategy, to organize and implement marketing strategy and to control the marketing activities. Marketing in the online environment showed that the Marketing Mix includes personalisation, privacy, customer services, community, site, security and sales promotion. The principles of online marketing revealed the important role of the customer and customer relationships. An investigation into the difference between e-commerce and online marketing made it clear that online marketing is one component of e-commerce. This study critically analysed the available literature in order to suggest a proposed framework of what should be included in the Website of a small commercial and industrial property and services business. In order to successfully research online marketing of commercial and industrial properties and services in a small business, a basic but thorough understanding of online marketing principles and Website content are important. In this study a qualitative research approach was followed where secondary sources were critically evaluated to design the required framework. Thereafter three Websites of marketing of commercial and industrial properties and services were content analysed to see whether anything else should be added to the framework. This would assist in taking a small business in commercial and industrial properties and services online. The framework suggests that the Website homepage content should include: Business overview/information Products/services What’s new Search Employment opportunities Interactive feedback Customer service/ assistance Index/directory Financial facts Links to other sites Online business services/utilities Guest book Frequently Asked Questions Messages from CEO A purposeful sample of three Websites was then content analysed so as to provide the information necessary to reach the objectives of the study. The following Websites were included in the content analysis: Broll, which operates as a national agency with international associations. The firm renders services (Estate Agency) and does not own property. Bruce McWilliams Industries Pty Ltd is operative in Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and surrounds. It is a family business that owns property, which it develops and markets itself. Seeff is a national agency. It renders services (estate agency) and does not own property. Lastly, a narrative of a small commercial and industrial property and services business was created by means of document analysis of a specific business. The researcher was allowed to study the documents and diaries of the business in order to provide a narrative for this business. This narrative can be used as part of the envisaged Website for the business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A control framework for the assessment of information security culture
- Authors: Okere, Irene Onyekachi
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Data encryption (Computer science) , Business -- Data processing -- Security measures , Computer security
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9818 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019861
- Description: The modern organisation relies heavily on information to function effectively. With such reliance on information, it is vital that information be protected from both internal (employees) and external threats. The protection of information or information security to a large extent depends on the behaviour of humans (employees) in the organisation. The behaviour of employees is one of the top information security issues facing organisations as the human factor is regarded as the weakest link in the security chain. To address this human factor many researchers have suggested the fostering of a culture of information security so that information security becomes second nature to employees. Information security culture as defined for this research study exists in four levels namely artefacts, espoused values, shared tacit assumptions and information security knowledge. An important step in the fostering of an information security culture is the assessment of the current state of such a culture. Gaps in current approaches for assessing information security culture were identified and this research study proposes the use of a control framework to address the identified gaps. This research study focuses on the assessment of information security culture and addresses 5 research objectives namely 1) to describe information security culture in the field of information security, 2) to determine ways to foster information security culture in an organisation, 3) to demonstrate the gap in current approaches used to assess information security culture, 4) to determine the components that could be used for the assessment of information security culture for each of the culture’s underlying levels and 5) to describe a process for the assessment of information security culture for all four levels. This research study follows a qualitative approach utilising a design science strategy and multi-method qualitative data collection techniques including literature review, qualitative content analysis, argumentation, and modelling techniques. The research methods provide a means for the interpretation of the data and the development of the proposed control framework.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Budget control analysis of logistics companies in Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Phipps, Kaaren Maree
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Budget -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Budget baselines -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Budget process -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8946 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021027
- Description: The treatise analyses the issues around budgets and examines budget expenditure control procedures. The research method selected has been formulated from the research onion process (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill 2009). This methodology first identifies the research approach, research strategy, timelines and data collection methods. As part of the research process, a quantitative approach has been taken and a survey was carried out in relation to the collection of quantitative data for the purposes of the treatise research. The final analysis of the survey results is reflected in the conclusion of the research findings. Budget expenditure control procedures provide a company with a method of control for managing actual spending against the budget. Most companies have a refined practice of budget preparation, and in the larger companies, these are implemented across all departments and carried out by respective managers. Once the budget is in place, it is the responsibility of the managers to ensure that those having expenditure authorisation adhere to it. If control procedures are well managed, this allows for improved efficiency in operations and can lead to benefits in budget performance. Control procedures that are inefficient and poorly managed will inhibit budget objectives being achieved. The control procedures for budget expenditure can be formulated and applied to optimise budget performance and to control budget variance. Formal budget expenditure control procedures, as part of a company’s budget strategy, can provide managers with an effective business tool that improves current budget spending control procedures. This will then result in the identification of potential efficiency gains and improve budget performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A study to determine the motivational climate in the Department of Health
- Authors: Seitshiro, Tshidiso
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Employee motivation , Job satisfaction -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public health -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8916 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021090
- Description: The Department of Health, being a public entity, has a responsibility to provide quality health services to the community. The Department has experienced repeated negative feedback from the press with respect to job dissatisfaction and the quality of service. This could be the result of low employee motivation. The researcher was concerned and interested in investigating possible causes of these allegations by the press. The main purpose of this study was to analyse the motivational climate of employees in the Department of Health. The study included a literature study of employee motivation and organisational climate. The purpose of the literature was to determine how the Department of Health measures up to what the literature reveals. A questionnaire was used as an instrument to collect data. The questionnaire was formulated from the literature discussed in the research study. The major findings indicated that the level of motivation in the Department of Health was low. Findings also indicated the majority of employees were not trained in the Batho Pele principle. The researcher argued that if employees were trained in the Batho Pele principle and also practised, the negative press feedback would be minimal. The researcher suggested certain recommendations for those areas where findings indicated shortcomings in an attempt to increase the overall levels of employee motivation within the Department of Health.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The influence of memebers' perceptions of the smart shopper loyalty programme on their loyality to the Pick 'n Pay store in George
- Authors: Swiegelaar, Carlo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Customer loyalty programs -- South Africa -- George , Customer loyalty -- South Africa -- George , Perception
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9375 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020817
- Description: In times of economic recession, retailers tend to focus particularly on creating consumer loyalty. Consumers with limited resources search for the best possible alternatives to save money. The latter makes it very difficult for retailers to keep consumers loyal. Marketers claim that successful loyalty programmes can assist retailers in creating consumer loyalty. Based on their structural similarities, Pick 'n Pay adapted the Smart Shopper loyalty programme from Tesco in the United Kingdom in May 2011. This study examined the influence of members' perceptions of the Smart Shopper loyalty programme on their loyalty to the Pick 'n Pay Family Store in George. It also investigated the relationship between consumers' sociodemographic characteristics and their loyalty to the store and to the Smart Shopper loyalty programme. The empirical data were collected by means of questionnaires distributed to Smart Shopper loyalty programme members who patronise the Pick 'n Pay Family Store in George. Three hundred and fifty usable questionnaires were received. Members' perceptions of the Smart Shopper loyalty programme had an significant relationship with their loyalty towards the store. Their perceptions were influenced by the Recognition, Convenience, Savings and exploration and Entertainment they experienced with the Smart Shopper loyalty programme. True and latently loyal consumers regarded Convenience as the most important Smart Shopper benefit, followed by Entertainment, Savings and exploration and Recognition. The distance members resided from the store and their ethnicity were two demographic characteristics that had a significant influence on their loyalty towards the store. However, it has to be pointed out the 58 percent of the respondents were coloured and could have skewed the results. The distance members resided from the store also influenced their loyalty to the Smart Shopper loyalty programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The tax implications of the sale of a business
- Authors: Walker, Sandra
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Sale of business enterprises -- Taxation -- South Africa , Business tax -- Law and legislation -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:8945 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021002
- Description: Currently, there are two ways to structure the sale of a business. The first is the sale of the ownership of the business, and second, the sale of its assets. The structure of the sale, by way of its ownership or by way of its assets, can have varying and complex tax consequences, and should be an important consideration during negotiations between the seller and purchaser of the business. The purchaser and the seller, in order to minimise tax consequences, should carefully consider the tax payable, flowing from the sale of the business, but often fail to do so because of the complex nature of current tax legislation. My own experience, as a practising accountant and tax practitioner, has been that when faced with complex tax legislation, the seller and the purchaser of a business often choose to ignore this aspect of the sale during negotiations. Those who have attempted to establish the tax consequences of the sale of a business during negotiations have been discouraged by the lack of a practical means to assist them in doing so. Consequently, I have undertaken a conceptual analysis and interpretation of South African tax legislation, interpretations of such legislation by the Court and other related matters with a view to examining, determining and summarising the tax consequences of the sale of a business in a practical manner, and thereby provide the seller and the purchaser with a practical means to assist them in determining the optimal structure for the sale of the business.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013