Brand loyalty in the South African tyre industry
- Authors: Stewart, Russel
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8796 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015983
- Description: The tyre industry plays an important role in the concept of mobility. Mobility defines the human need for transportation, which has been growing at an accelerated pace since the dawn of the nineteenth century. More importantly, modern mobility cannot be achieved without the use of a pneumatic tyre, a commodity that has become increasingly complex and competitive with countless brands and products available on a global scale. In order to stand out in this competitive market landscape, big brands attempt to build an amount of brand awareness within the market place, while maintaining a balance in creating a demand for their product in pull marketing strategies. While the market place becomes increasingly competitive on a both a global and local level, tyre brands are all trying various tactics in an effort to secure wheel positions on consumer’s vehicles. Within the marketing mix there are various strategies and tactics that can be adopted by tyre brands to secure a share of voice within the mind of the consumer when the need arises for new tyres, however in South Africa, only the established brands have the spending power to employ traditional media space in an effort to communicate with the consumer. It has also become increasingly difficult for established brands to remain dominant within the decision journey of consumers, especially when the retailer has the final contact with the consumer and may be promoting the purchase of a tyre brands that results in higher margins that the brand originally requested by the consumer. The tyre industry plays an important role in the concept of mobility. Mobility defines the human need for transportation, which has been growing at an accelerated pace since the dawn of the nineteenth century. More importantly, modern mobility cannot be achieved without the use of a pneumatic tyre, a commodity that has become increasingly complex and competitive with countless brands and products available on a global scale. In order to stand out in this competitive market landscape, big brands attempt to build an amount of brand awareness within the market place, while maintaining a balance in creating a demand for their product in pull marketing strategies. While the market place becomes increasingly competitive on a both a global and local level, tyre brands are all trying various tactics in an effort to secure wheel positions on consumer’s vehicles. Within the marketing mix there are various strategies and tactics that can be adopted by tyre brands to secure a share of voice within the mind of the consumer when the need arises for new tyres, however in South Africa, only the established brands have the spending power to employ traditional media space in an effort to communicate with the consumer. It has also become increasingly difficult for established brands to remain dominant within the decision journey of consumers, especially when the retailer has the final contact with the consumer and may be promoting the purchase of a tyre brands that results in higher margins that the brand originally requested by the consumer. The questions that remain are; do retailers have a high degree of influence on consumer behaviour or are high levels of brand awareness enough for a brand owner to be assured of a consistent demand on their product? This research aims to validate the interdependence of brand awareness and retailer influence on the consumer decision journey within the South African tyre industry. The research starts by setting the scene within the global and local tyre industry through the use of the Continental Corporation for illustration purposes. Once the scene is set in terms of the industry in which the research is taking place, brand theory is exhaustively discussed providing relevance and context within the tyre industry. Within the discussion of brand equity, the consumer decision journey and touch points are introduced as process and influence before the final purchase is made. With the theory of the tyre industry and branding covered, qualitative fieldwork was undertaken by two researchers at a tyre retail group in Tswane, South Africa. The fieldwork consisted of questionnaires that needed to be completed by consumers who had just concluded their purchase decision and were waiting in the retailer for the work to be concluded on their vehicle. The results of the fieldwork are extensively analysed and discussed upon which conclusions and recommendations for future research are drawn. The sample attained is sufficient for qualitative analysis; however the conclusions need to be read within the context of the sample size and geographical location in which the research was conducted. Further context was provided from the retail store owner who provided expert comment and insight based on experience within the industry and retail environment. The comment was utilised along with the theory to either validate or disprove findings, which formed the basis for recommendations for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Stewart, Russel
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8796 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015983
- Description: The tyre industry plays an important role in the concept of mobility. Mobility defines the human need for transportation, which has been growing at an accelerated pace since the dawn of the nineteenth century. More importantly, modern mobility cannot be achieved without the use of a pneumatic tyre, a commodity that has become increasingly complex and competitive with countless brands and products available on a global scale. In order to stand out in this competitive market landscape, big brands attempt to build an amount of brand awareness within the market place, while maintaining a balance in creating a demand for their product in pull marketing strategies. While the market place becomes increasingly competitive on a both a global and local level, tyre brands are all trying various tactics in an effort to secure wheel positions on consumer’s vehicles. Within the marketing mix there are various strategies and tactics that can be adopted by tyre brands to secure a share of voice within the mind of the consumer when the need arises for new tyres, however in South Africa, only the established brands have the spending power to employ traditional media space in an effort to communicate with the consumer. It has also become increasingly difficult for established brands to remain dominant within the decision journey of consumers, especially when the retailer has the final contact with the consumer and may be promoting the purchase of a tyre brands that results in higher margins that the brand originally requested by the consumer. The tyre industry plays an important role in the concept of mobility. Mobility defines the human need for transportation, which has been growing at an accelerated pace since the dawn of the nineteenth century. More importantly, modern mobility cannot be achieved without the use of a pneumatic tyre, a commodity that has become increasingly complex and competitive with countless brands and products available on a global scale. In order to stand out in this competitive market landscape, big brands attempt to build an amount of brand awareness within the market place, while maintaining a balance in creating a demand for their product in pull marketing strategies. While the market place becomes increasingly competitive on a both a global and local level, tyre brands are all trying various tactics in an effort to secure wheel positions on consumer’s vehicles. Within the marketing mix there are various strategies and tactics that can be adopted by tyre brands to secure a share of voice within the mind of the consumer when the need arises for new tyres, however in South Africa, only the established brands have the spending power to employ traditional media space in an effort to communicate with the consumer. It has also become increasingly difficult for established brands to remain dominant within the decision journey of consumers, especially when the retailer has the final contact with the consumer and may be promoting the purchase of a tyre brands that results in higher margins that the brand originally requested by the consumer. The questions that remain are; do retailers have a high degree of influence on consumer behaviour or are high levels of brand awareness enough for a brand owner to be assured of a consistent demand on their product? This research aims to validate the interdependence of brand awareness and retailer influence on the consumer decision journey within the South African tyre industry. The research starts by setting the scene within the global and local tyre industry through the use of the Continental Corporation for illustration purposes. Once the scene is set in terms of the industry in which the research is taking place, brand theory is exhaustively discussed providing relevance and context within the tyre industry. Within the discussion of brand equity, the consumer decision journey and touch points are introduced as process and influence before the final purchase is made. With the theory of the tyre industry and branding covered, qualitative fieldwork was undertaken by two researchers at a tyre retail group in Tswane, South Africa. The fieldwork consisted of questionnaires that needed to be completed by consumers who had just concluded their purchase decision and were waiting in the retailer for the work to be concluded on their vehicle. The results of the fieldwork are extensively analysed and discussed upon which conclusions and recommendations for future research are drawn. The sample attained is sufficient for qualitative analysis; however the conclusions need to be read within the context of the sample size and geographical location in which the research was conducted. Further context was provided from the retail store owner who provided expert comment and insight based on experience within the industry and retail environment. The comment was utilised along with the theory to either validate or disprove findings, which formed the basis for recommendations for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Contributions of women to family Business as evidence in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Billson, Leonie
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Businesswomen -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8585 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1608 , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Businesswomen -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Family businesses are operating throughout the world and suggested to be the predominant way of doing business. This is also true in South Africa with its unique challenges and informal sector providing work to many South Africans not able to find work in the formal sector. Women operating in the corporate environment have traditionally encountered challenges in breaking through the glass ceiling in order to be counted as a successful person in her own right. The same scenario seems to be evident in the family Business environment. Women in family business might choose the family business career path as it allows them more flexibility and time to attend to the home and children, but they also face a glass ceiling of another nature and are there other challenges to overcome in order to make their mark in the family business world. This study’s primary objective was to investigate the literature pertaining to women in business and women in family business. Of great importance was to determine what contributions women make in the family business environment allowing them to be successful. In order to answer this question the secondary objectives supported the primary objective of this study and pertained to the difference between men and women in terms of leadership style and execution of their personalities in business. The inherent strengths and weaknesses displayed by both male and females in the family business environment are investigated in order to link this to their management execution. v A questionnaire was developed to do an empirical study on respondents as identified in the Nelson Mandela Metropole and greater Eastern Cape. The respondents were from varied industries and was selected and interviewed with the support of the questionnaire structure as guidance. The results were analysed and certain recommendations were made addressing the primary objective. Further recommendations were made relating to future potential research in this area. An important finding of the research is that women as identified in the Eastern Cape environment still have difficulty in reaching the top. This is true for the corporate world as well as the family business environment. The difficulty might be based in the traditional roles women assume, but in many cases it was found that women are responsible for their downfall or stagnation in the family business environment as women are satisfied to remain in the shadows and do not command their own space and right of existence. Recommendations were made based on the advice of some of the female respondents which can assist in women stepping up to the role they should take up. Some of the advice given can be used as a best practice in future research of this nature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Billson, Leonie
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Businesswomen -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8585 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1608 , Family-owned business enterprises -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Businesswomen -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Family businesses are operating throughout the world and suggested to be the predominant way of doing business. This is also true in South Africa with its unique challenges and informal sector providing work to many South Africans not able to find work in the formal sector. Women operating in the corporate environment have traditionally encountered challenges in breaking through the glass ceiling in order to be counted as a successful person in her own right. The same scenario seems to be evident in the family Business environment. Women in family business might choose the family business career path as it allows them more flexibility and time to attend to the home and children, but they also face a glass ceiling of another nature and are there other challenges to overcome in order to make their mark in the family business world. This study’s primary objective was to investigate the literature pertaining to women in business and women in family business. Of great importance was to determine what contributions women make in the family business environment allowing them to be successful. In order to answer this question the secondary objectives supported the primary objective of this study and pertained to the difference between men and women in terms of leadership style and execution of their personalities in business. The inherent strengths and weaknesses displayed by both male and females in the family business environment are investigated in order to link this to their management execution. v A questionnaire was developed to do an empirical study on respondents as identified in the Nelson Mandela Metropole and greater Eastern Cape. The respondents were from varied industries and was selected and interviewed with the support of the questionnaire structure as guidance. The results were analysed and certain recommendations were made addressing the primary objective. Further recommendations were made relating to future potential research in this area. An important finding of the research is that women as identified in the Eastern Cape environment still have difficulty in reaching the top. This is true for the corporate world as well as the family business environment. The difficulty might be based in the traditional roles women assume, but in many cases it was found that women are responsible for their downfall or stagnation in the family business environment as women are satisfied to remain in the shadows and do not command their own space and right of existence. Recommendations were made based on the advice of some of the female respondents which can assist in women stepping up to the role they should take up. Some of the advice given can be used as a best practice in future research of this nature.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Destination management: critical success factors for Knysna as an international tourism destination
- Authors: Gie, Jannie Adriaan
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Place marketing -- South Africa -- Knysna , Tourism -- Marketing -- South Africa -- Knysna , Tourism management -- South Africa -- Knysna , Tourism -- South Africa -- Knysna
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8641 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1433 , Place marketing -- South Africa -- Knysna , Tourism -- Marketing -- South Africa -- Knysna , Tourism management -- South Africa -- Knysna , Tourism -- South Africa -- Knysna
- Description: Tourism, as an industry, has a great impact on society and the environment. It adds to economic growth; and therefore, many governments try to enhance tourism because they realise the potential economic returns. Within each country, there are towns or cities that have great tourism potential. In South Africa, Knysna is a good example of a small town with great tourism potential. This study examines the critical success factors of tourism destination marketing for the town of Knysna. Most South Africans see Knysna as an ideal holiday destination, as it has the infrastructure and offerings to make tourists' holidays unforgettable. However, unfortunately, in recent times bad publicity has caused Knysna's image to be damaged. To improve the town's image and to add to its economic growth, tourism bodies and the community have had to work together to ensure that Knysna sustains its position in the national and international tourism markets. The best way to achieve this is through effective destination management and destination marketing. The aim of this study is to determine how effective destination management and destination marketing can lead to competitive growth and to enhancing a destination's position in the tourism industry, and also to providing a set of practical guidelines for the successful implementation of the destination marketing of the town of Knysna. A literature study was conducted to find out what the theory reveals about destination management and marketing. This was followed by an empirical survey; and this survey was conducted in Knysna in the Western Cape. The results of the survey were compared with the literature and tourism operators and managers can now use these as a point of departure to fill any gaps, thus leading to the optimal positioning of Knysna on the international tourism map.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Gie, Jannie Adriaan
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Place marketing -- South Africa -- Knysna , Tourism -- Marketing -- South Africa -- Knysna , Tourism management -- South Africa -- Knysna , Tourism -- South Africa -- Knysna
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8641 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1433 , Place marketing -- South Africa -- Knysna , Tourism -- Marketing -- South Africa -- Knysna , Tourism management -- South Africa -- Knysna , Tourism -- South Africa -- Knysna
- Description: Tourism, as an industry, has a great impact on society and the environment. It adds to economic growth; and therefore, many governments try to enhance tourism because they realise the potential economic returns. Within each country, there are towns or cities that have great tourism potential. In South Africa, Knysna is a good example of a small town with great tourism potential. This study examines the critical success factors of tourism destination marketing for the town of Knysna. Most South Africans see Knysna as an ideal holiday destination, as it has the infrastructure and offerings to make tourists' holidays unforgettable. However, unfortunately, in recent times bad publicity has caused Knysna's image to be damaged. To improve the town's image and to add to its economic growth, tourism bodies and the community have had to work together to ensure that Knysna sustains its position in the national and international tourism markets. The best way to achieve this is through effective destination management and destination marketing. The aim of this study is to determine how effective destination management and destination marketing can lead to competitive growth and to enhancing a destination's position in the tourism industry, and also to providing a set of practical guidelines for the successful implementation of the destination marketing of the town of Knysna. A literature study was conducted to find out what the theory reveals about destination management and marketing. This was followed by an empirical survey; and this survey was conducted in Knysna in the Western Cape. The results of the survey were compared with the literature and tourism operators and managers can now use these as a point of departure to fill any gaps, thus leading to the optimal positioning of Knysna on the international tourism map.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Developing an incubation strategy for Oudtshoorn
- Authors: Petersen, Winifred
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business incubators -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn , New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1385 , Business incubators -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn , New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn
- Description: Business incubators, as recognised in their contemporary form, have a history dating back to the 1970s in the United Kingdom and the USA. South Africa is no stranger to this concept of business incubation either: Since the 1980s the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) operated business “hives” as clusters of small enterprises. Business incubators are support facilities that empower and stimulate small-entrepreneurial businesses – from the financially vulnerable start-up period, until the time that the fledgling company is ready to operate more autonomously. Business incubators provide, as part of their services, affordable space, financial-management services, sound business advice and other development services. Incubation stimulates the development of small-entrepreneurial businesses and, to this end, helps stimulate the economy. Thus, for South Africa to invest in the development of small growing businesses, is to invest directly in its larger economy and to address its own development challenges like employment-creation, income-generation and the alleviation of poverty. It is in this context that this study discusses the development challenges of one of the rural areas in South Africa, Oudtshoorn, and aims to provide a viable strategy of business incubation for this area, in anticipation that in future lessons can be drawn from this and applied to other rural areas. Oudtshoorn is a town in the Klein Karoo, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The strongest sectors in Oudtshoorn’s economy are agriculture and tourism. These two sectors should provide the basis for an empowering business incubator to strengthen and enhance smaller businesses in the town. The study focuses on the development challenges of South Africa and, in particular, a rural town such as Oudtshoorn, the importance of investing in small entrepreneurial businesses so as to strengthen the country’s economy. the nature an significance of a business-incubation strategy for the Oudtshoorn area. Background literature on South Africa’s development challenges was collated as well as information gathered on small-business support and incubation in particular. Literature was retrieved from local institutions as well as national and international sources. Case studies of incubators in South Africa and in other countries were included to enhance the understanding of the importance of business incubation. In addition, the researcher’s close networks with the Oudtshoorn municipality, the local Red Door office and the different role-players in the small-business support sphere allowed for an in-depth assessment of support for such an incubation project and the critical obstacles it may encounter en route.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Petersen, Winifred
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business incubators -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn , New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8648 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1385 , Business incubators -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn , New business enterprises -- South Africa -- Oudshoorn
- Description: Business incubators, as recognised in their contemporary form, have a history dating back to the 1970s in the United Kingdom and the USA. South Africa is no stranger to this concept of business incubation either: Since the 1980s the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) operated business “hives” as clusters of small enterprises. Business incubators are support facilities that empower and stimulate small-entrepreneurial businesses – from the financially vulnerable start-up period, until the time that the fledgling company is ready to operate more autonomously. Business incubators provide, as part of their services, affordable space, financial-management services, sound business advice and other development services. Incubation stimulates the development of small-entrepreneurial businesses and, to this end, helps stimulate the economy. Thus, for South Africa to invest in the development of small growing businesses, is to invest directly in its larger economy and to address its own development challenges like employment-creation, income-generation and the alleviation of poverty. It is in this context that this study discusses the development challenges of one of the rural areas in South Africa, Oudtshoorn, and aims to provide a viable strategy of business incubation for this area, in anticipation that in future lessons can be drawn from this and applied to other rural areas. Oudtshoorn is a town in the Klein Karoo, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The strongest sectors in Oudtshoorn’s economy are agriculture and tourism. These two sectors should provide the basis for an empowering business incubator to strengthen and enhance smaller businesses in the town. The study focuses on the development challenges of South Africa and, in particular, a rural town such as Oudtshoorn, the importance of investing in small entrepreneurial businesses so as to strengthen the country’s economy. the nature an significance of a business-incubation strategy for the Oudtshoorn area. Background literature on South Africa’s development challenges was collated as well as information gathered on small-business support and incubation in particular. Literature was retrieved from local institutions as well as national and international sources. Case studies of incubators in South Africa and in other countries were included to enhance the understanding of the importance of business incubation. In addition, the researcher’s close networks with the Oudtshoorn municipality, the local Red Door office and the different role-players in the small-business support sphere allowed for an in-depth assessment of support for such an incubation project and the critical obstacles it may encounter en route.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
E-commerce as an alternative marketing channel
- Authors: Mounsear-Wilson, Clifford
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic commerce -- Technological innovations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8605 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1615 , Electronic commerce -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic commerce -- Technological innovations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Information technology (IT) has become an integral part of the success and globalisation of business over the last two decades. It is hard to imagine how the efficiencies expected in today’s fast paced business world could possibly be achieved without the advancements in IT. The most significant of these advancements is arguably the advent of the Internet which has empowered businesses of all sizes by giving them the means to promote their products and services at a relatively low cost in markets that would previously have been inaccessible. The aim of this study was to assess whether e-commerce represents an alternative channel for a brick and mortar company wishing to follow a market penetration strategy. The study was based around a company, Canoa Eastern Cape, which trades in the office automation industry in the Eastern and Southern Cape of South Africa. The study investigated the history of Canoa Eastern Cape, focusing predominantly on the growth strategies followed by the business in the past. With a view to the future, growth strategies which could potentially be followed by Canoa Eastern Cape were also investigated. The result of these investigations was a recommendation that Canoa Eastern Cape should follow a market penetration strategy, which will see the business marketing its existing products within its current market by making use of a new distribution channel, more specifically e-commerce. In order to assess the suitability of e-commerce as a tool within a market penetration strategy a literature study was conducted to get a better understanding of ecommerce and its viability as business tool. The literature study focused on eight core concepts felt to be critical in the evaluation of e-commerce, namely: • the development of e-commerce over the past years; • the future of e-commerce; • whether e-commerce is a financial success or not; • requirements for e-commerce to be successful; iv • products that customers are prepared to buy online; • industries most affected by e-commerce; and • demographics of e-commerce users; and • e-commerce in the office automation industry. Using the information gained in the literature study as a basis from which to start, an empirical study was conducted. The objective of the empirical study was to obtain data which would be used to assess the level to which e-commerce has been adopted by consumers in the specific geographic area and whether these consumers are willing and able to make use of e-commerce as an alternative to conventional purchasing for the procurement of office automation consumables and office automation equipment. A quantitative research paradigm was adopted, making use of a structured questionnaire to gather information from the sample of Canoa Eastern Cape’s customers. The data collected from the empirical study were analysed using univariate and bivariate analysis. The findings of the empirical study suggested that: • demographics are a poor indicator of adoption of e-commerce; • there is a significant adoption rate within the sample: o 79.85 percent of the respondents reported to have used e-commerce before for personal use; and o 59.13 percentreported to have used e-commerce before for business use; • there is a high rate of willingness to use e-commerce again: o 91.09 percent of the respondents indicating that they would use e-commerce again for personal use; and o 80.18 percent indicating that they would use e-commerce again for business use; • there is a high likelihood that consumers will buy office automation consumables through an e-commerce channel, with 65.82 percentof the respondents indicating that they would be likely or very likely to buy consumables through an e-commerce channel; • there is no significant difference in the adoption rates between the three main areas within the targeted sample, that is, East London, Port Elizabeth and George and Knysna. Given the findings of the empirical study it is felt that an e-commerce solution does present a viable alternative channel for a brick and mortar company trading in the Office Automation Industry in the Eastern and Southern Cape wishing to follow a market penetration strategy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mounsear-Wilson, Clifford
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Electronic commerce -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic commerce -- Technological innovations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8605 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1615 , Electronic commerce -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Internet marketing -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Electronic commerce -- Technological innovations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Information technology (IT) has become an integral part of the success and globalisation of business over the last two decades. It is hard to imagine how the efficiencies expected in today’s fast paced business world could possibly be achieved without the advancements in IT. The most significant of these advancements is arguably the advent of the Internet which has empowered businesses of all sizes by giving them the means to promote their products and services at a relatively low cost in markets that would previously have been inaccessible. The aim of this study was to assess whether e-commerce represents an alternative channel for a brick and mortar company wishing to follow a market penetration strategy. The study was based around a company, Canoa Eastern Cape, which trades in the office automation industry in the Eastern and Southern Cape of South Africa. The study investigated the history of Canoa Eastern Cape, focusing predominantly on the growth strategies followed by the business in the past. With a view to the future, growth strategies which could potentially be followed by Canoa Eastern Cape were also investigated. The result of these investigations was a recommendation that Canoa Eastern Cape should follow a market penetration strategy, which will see the business marketing its existing products within its current market by making use of a new distribution channel, more specifically e-commerce. In order to assess the suitability of e-commerce as a tool within a market penetration strategy a literature study was conducted to get a better understanding of ecommerce and its viability as business tool. The literature study focused on eight core concepts felt to be critical in the evaluation of e-commerce, namely: • the development of e-commerce over the past years; • the future of e-commerce; • whether e-commerce is a financial success or not; • requirements for e-commerce to be successful; iv • products that customers are prepared to buy online; • industries most affected by e-commerce; and • demographics of e-commerce users; and • e-commerce in the office automation industry. Using the information gained in the literature study as a basis from which to start, an empirical study was conducted. The objective of the empirical study was to obtain data which would be used to assess the level to which e-commerce has been adopted by consumers in the specific geographic area and whether these consumers are willing and able to make use of e-commerce as an alternative to conventional purchasing for the procurement of office automation consumables and office automation equipment. A quantitative research paradigm was adopted, making use of a structured questionnaire to gather information from the sample of Canoa Eastern Cape’s customers. The data collected from the empirical study were analysed using univariate and bivariate analysis. The findings of the empirical study suggested that: • demographics are a poor indicator of adoption of e-commerce; • there is a significant adoption rate within the sample: o 79.85 percent of the respondents reported to have used e-commerce before for personal use; and o 59.13 percentreported to have used e-commerce before for business use; • there is a high rate of willingness to use e-commerce again: o 91.09 percent of the respondents indicating that they would use e-commerce again for personal use; and o 80.18 percent indicating that they would use e-commerce again for business use; • there is a high likelihood that consumers will buy office automation consumables through an e-commerce channel, with 65.82 percentof the respondents indicating that they would be likely or very likely to buy consumables through an e-commerce channel; • there is no significant difference in the adoption rates between the three main areas within the targeted sample, that is, East London, Port Elizabeth and George and Knysna. Given the findings of the empirical study it is felt that an e-commerce solution does present a viable alternative channel for a brick and mortar company trading in the Office Automation Industry in the Eastern and Southern Cape wishing to follow a market penetration strategy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
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
- 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
Evaluating motivational levels of employees in a contemporary South African organisation
- Authors: Van Wyk, Charl
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Employee motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8615 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1542 , Employee motivation
- Description: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the motivational levels of employees at CompSol, a contemporary South African organisation. Research for the study included a literature study of both the content and process theories of motivation in order to identify those factors that are important to consider when evaluating the levels of employee motivation. An empirical study was conducted after the appropriate measuring instrument was developed. The purpose of the measuring instrument was to identify the rank importance of these identified factors of motivation and to evaluate the levels of employee motivation by measuring the extent to which these factors are provided for in the organisation. A sample was selected from the target population, via cluster sampling, from the largest functional department within the organisation, namely the Claims processing department. The group’s dominant locus of control was also measured through the use of an appropriate measuring instrument. The major findings indicated that some of the factors of motivation were provided for to a great extent, while others had serious shortcomings. The findings were grouped into the different job title categories of the respondents in order to compare the overall responses of the groups, aimed at identifying trends, commonalities and differences. Findings also indicated that the majority of the participants have an external locus of control. The researcher suggested certain recommendations for those areas where findings indicated shortcomings, in an attempt to increase the overall levels of motivation within this specific functional department in the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Van Wyk, Charl
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Employee motivation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8615 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1542 , Employee motivation
- Description: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the motivational levels of employees at CompSol, a contemporary South African organisation. Research for the study included a literature study of both the content and process theories of motivation in order to identify those factors that are important to consider when evaluating the levels of employee motivation. An empirical study was conducted after the appropriate measuring instrument was developed. The purpose of the measuring instrument was to identify the rank importance of these identified factors of motivation and to evaluate the levels of employee motivation by measuring the extent to which these factors are provided for in the organisation. A sample was selected from the target population, via cluster sampling, from the largest functional department within the organisation, namely the Claims processing department. The group’s dominant locus of control was also measured through the use of an appropriate measuring instrument. The major findings indicated that some of the factors of motivation were provided for to a great extent, while others had serious shortcomings. The findings were grouped into the different job title categories of the respondents in order to compare the overall responses of the groups, aimed at identifying trends, commonalities and differences. Findings also indicated that the majority of the participants have an external locus of control. The researcher suggested certain recommendations for those areas where findings indicated shortcomings, in an attempt to increase the overall levels of motivation within this specific functional department in the organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Evaluating the sustainable management of the State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Quvile, Nkosipendule
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004130
- Description: This research assesses the state of sustainability of State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape and provides recommendations to improve their sustainability. The Eastern Cape Indigenous Forest Management Audit (ECIFMA) report of 2009 provided the primary data for this assessment (DAFF, 2009). The research was inspired by the fact that the global challenge of forestry destruction and degradation where the extent of forests is being reduced at an alarming rate of 6% annually. It became essential for global leaders to develop policies and strategies that sought to promote sustainable forest management. The monitoring of sustainability of forests was only possible through use of globally and nationally developed sets of criteria and indicators. Eleven forest estates responsible for the management of State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape were selected for this research. The choice was influenced by the availability of audit data from the ECIFMA report of 2009. This report contained performance information of 41 indicators under 18 criteria for monitoring sustainable forest management as extracted from the PCI&S assessment checklist developed for monitoring the sustainability of indigenous forests in South Africa (DWAF, 2005). The data was refined using the MCA methods (ranking and scoring) as described by Mendoza and Prabhu (2000). These methods yielded to the determination of the performance of indicators of forest sustainability. It was thus important to conclude the research by responding to the following questions: • What is the state of sustainability of the State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape? • What recommendations could be made to improve the sustainability of State indigenous forests? It was found that the State indigenous forests were not managed in a sustainable manner. The research report is concluded by providing concrete recommendations to improve forest sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Quvile, Nkosipendule
- Date: 2011
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:793 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004130
- Description: This research assesses the state of sustainability of State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape and provides recommendations to improve their sustainability. The Eastern Cape Indigenous Forest Management Audit (ECIFMA) report of 2009 provided the primary data for this assessment (DAFF, 2009). The research was inspired by the fact that the global challenge of forestry destruction and degradation where the extent of forests is being reduced at an alarming rate of 6% annually. It became essential for global leaders to develop policies and strategies that sought to promote sustainable forest management. The monitoring of sustainability of forests was only possible through use of globally and nationally developed sets of criteria and indicators. Eleven forest estates responsible for the management of State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape were selected for this research. The choice was influenced by the availability of audit data from the ECIFMA report of 2009. This report contained performance information of 41 indicators under 18 criteria for monitoring sustainable forest management as extracted from the PCI&S assessment checklist developed for monitoring the sustainability of indigenous forests in South Africa (DWAF, 2005). The data was refined using the MCA methods (ranking and scoring) as described by Mendoza and Prabhu (2000). These methods yielded to the determination of the performance of indicators of forest sustainability. It was thus important to conclude the research by responding to the following questions: • What is the state of sustainability of the State indigenous forests in the Eastern Cape? • What recommendations could be made to improve the sustainability of State indigenous forests? It was found that the State indigenous forests were not managed in a sustainable manner. The research report is concluded by providing concrete recommendations to improve forest sustainability.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Exploring the limited participation of SMMEs in communal business practices
- Authors: Tembo, Theophilus Tawanda
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- South Africa Small business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14455 , vital:27637
- Description: Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) has evidently moved beyond the jurisdictions of academia and begun its ascension to the top of the corporate agenda. CSR is no longer considered a ‗by the way‘ but as a concept to be aligned to a company‘s strategy. The participation of businesses in CSR activities is especially vital in the developing world where the socio-economic needs of the communities are vast. Companies realise they cannot succeed in communities that fail, and CSR is seen as the most direct way to improve communities. With the immense importance of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in any economy, this study explores their limited participation in CSR, which will later be redefined as Communal Business Practices (CBP). An in-depth interview between the author and the manager/owner of a SMME was used to isolate four factors upon which the sub-problems were developed. These factors were Pressure from the Public, Resource Constraints, Scale of Activity, and Visibility. A questionnaire built on these factors was developed and distributed to various SMME managers /owners in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape provinces to explore their opinions on the participation of SMMEs in CBPs. Of the 97% of respondents who believed it was their responsibility to empower their communities, only 43% said they participated in CBPs. It was discovered that SMMEs do not feel pressure from the public to partake in CBPs like their larger counterparts. Instead resource constraints were identified as the most common barrier to SMME participation in CBPs. On the issue of visibility, most SMMEs felt they were not visible enough to benefit from improved legitimacy and reputational effects as larger companies do. On the problem of scale of activity, respondents felt it is proportional to the scale of CBP participation but not a barrier to participation The author concludes the study by putting forward some recommendations to increase the participation of SMMEs in social responsibility activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Tembo, Theophilus Tawanda
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business -- South Africa Small business -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14455 , vital:27637
- Description: Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) has evidently moved beyond the jurisdictions of academia and begun its ascension to the top of the corporate agenda. CSR is no longer considered a ‗by the way‘ but as a concept to be aligned to a company‘s strategy. The participation of businesses in CSR activities is especially vital in the developing world where the socio-economic needs of the communities are vast. Companies realise they cannot succeed in communities that fail, and CSR is seen as the most direct way to improve communities. With the immense importance of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in any economy, this study explores their limited participation in CSR, which will later be redefined as Communal Business Practices (CBP). An in-depth interview between the author and the manager/owner of a SMME was used to isolate four factors upon which the sub-problems were developed. These factors were Pressure from the Public, Resource Constraints, Scale of Activity, and Visibility. A questionnaire built on these factors was developed and distributed to various SMME managers /owners in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape provinces to explore their opinions on the participation of SMMEs in CBPs. Of the 97% of respondents who believed it was their responsibility to empower their communities, only 43% said they participated in CBPs. It was discovered that SMMEs do not feel pressure from the public to partake in CBPs like their larger counterparts. Instead resource constraints were identified as the most common barrier to SMME participation in CBPs. On the issue of visibility, most SMMEs felt they were not visible enough to benefit from improved legitimacy and reputational effects as larger companies do. On the problem of scale of activity, respondents felt it is proportional to the scale of CBP participation but not a barrier to participation The author concludes the study by putting forward some recommendations to increase the participation of SMMEs in social responsibility activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Factors impacting on engineering professionals' decision to seek alternative employment
- Authors: Mkwananzi, Nokuphumula
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Labor turnover , Engineering -- Vocational guidance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8749 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011335 , Labor turnover , Engineering -- Vocational guidance
- Description: The purpose of this study was to determine factors that impacted on engineering professionals’ decision to seek alternative employment, as well as to determine the decision making processes applied by engineering professionals when seeking alternative employment. A conceptual model was developed to illustrate the impact of various factors on labour turnover and the decision making processes that could be followed by engineering professionals when seeking alternative employment. The factors impacting on labour turnover were organised into four categories, namely external, internal, expectations and personal trait factors. The theoretical study revealed that employees were more likely to leave their present organisations if they perceived that there was ample opportunity for acceptable alternative employment (Bigliardi, Petroni & Dormio, 2005). Zimmerman (2008) stated that employee turnover was a problem faced by all organisations globally. In their study they mentioned that high labour turnover rates have been associated with decreased customer satisfaction, productivity, future revenue growth and profitability. A sense of instability and frustration can also cause work backlogs and slow productivity. At times employees lose faith in their organisations as more individuals seek alternative employment (Drake International, 2010). When the organisation experiences high turnover, burnout also increases and could possibly lead to stayers also seeking alternative employment. Previous studies contain evidence of an extensive poaching of South African engineering professionals (technologists and engineers) by overseas companies (Du Toit & Roodt, 2009). As a result of this mobility and the lack of significant engineering graduates entering the industry, companies competed for a limited number of engineering professionals. This challenge resulted in a higher labour turnover rate among engineers as the demand for engineering professionals was higher than the supply. The skills shortage of engineering professionals in South Africa was one of the perceived contributing factors impacting engineering professionals’ decision to seek alternative employment. Apart from the shortage of skills there were other factors that impacted on engineering professionals’ decision to seek alternative employment. External factors, such as slow recruitment due to the low economy, have been identified as having an impact on labour turnover rates. Bigliardi et al (2005) stated that external factors, also referred to as push factors, such as changes in economic, social and technological conditions,created challenges for retaining engineering professionals. Through developing multivariate models that combine a number of factors contributing to labour turnover and empirically testing these models, researchers have attempted to predict why individuals decide to seek alternative employment (MINTRAC, 2010). The job search process was evaluated and referred to as the process of looking for alternatives to a current job, and the evaluation of those alternatives (Brown, 2009). Various decision making models, including the rational decision making model, Steers and Mowday’s model, image theory and the unfolding path model were studied to provide an understanding of how engineering professionals decided whether to seek alternative employment. Donnell and Quirin (2006) explained two decision making models. These are the image theory and Lee and Mitchell’s unfolding model. According to Zimmerman (2008), the studies carried out did not clearly reflect the impact of individual characteristic factors. An empirical study, by means of a survey and a questionnaire as a data collecting tool, was conducted to determine the factors that impacted on engineering professionals at GIBB to seek alternative employment and the decision making process they applied in seeking alternative employment. This study reflected that personal traits such as openness to new experiences, high levels of competency, the ability to form relationships at work, a general level of commitment, ability to incorporate other people’s views at work and a general positive attitude towards work itself influenced the decision to seek alternative employment. The external, internal, expectancy and personal trait factors that were perceived to be the most influential in impacting on engineering professionals’ decision to seek alternative employment were presented in a revised concept model. This model could be valuable for developing retention strategies at GIBB. Future research that could be beneficial to GIBB and the engineering industry was also identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mkwananzi, Nokuphumula
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Labor turnover , Engineering -- Vocational guidance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8749 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011335 , Labor turnover , Engineering -- Vocational guidance
- Description: The purpose of this study was to determine factors that impacted on engineering professionals’ decision to seek alternative employment, as well as to determine the decision making processes applied by engineering professionals when seeking alternative employment. A conceptual model was developed to illustrate the impact of various factors on labour turnover and the decision making processes that could be followed by engineering professionals when seeking alternative employment. The factors impacting on labour turnover were organised into four categories, namely external, internal, expectations and personal trait factors. The theoretical study revealed that employees were more likely to leave their present organisations if they perceived that there was ample opportunity for acceptable alternative employment (Bigliardi, Petroni & Dormio, 2005). Zimmerman (2008) stated that employee turnover was a problem faced by all organisations globally. In their study they mentioned that high labour turnover rates have been associated with decreased customer satisfaction, productivity, future revenue growth and profitability. A sense of instability and frustration can also cause work backlogs and slow productivity. At times employees lose faith in their organisations as more individuals seek alternative employment (Drake International, 2010). When the organisation experiences high turnover, burnout also increases and could possibly lead to stayers also seeking alternative employment. Previous studies contain evidence of an extensive poaching of South African engineering professionals (technologists and engineers) by overseas companies (Du Toit & Roodt, 2009). As a result of this mobility and the lack of significant engineering graduates entering the industry, companies competed for a limited number of engineering professionals. This challenge resulted in a higher labour turnover rate among engineers as the demand for engineering professionals was higher than the supply. The skills shortage of engineering professionals in South Africa was one of the perceived contributing factors impacting engineering professionals’ decision to seek alternative employment. Apart from the shortage of skills there were other factors that impacted on engineering professionals’ decision to seek alternative employment. External factors, such as slow recruitment due to the low economy, have been identified as having an impact on labour turnover rates. Bigliardi et al (2005) stated that external factors, also referred to as push factors, such as changes in economic, social and technological conditions,created challenges for retaining engineering professionals. Through developing multivariate models that combine a number of factors contributing to labour turnover and empirically testing these models, researchers have attempted to predict why individuals decide to seek alternative employment (MINTRAC, 2010). The job search process was evaluated and referred to as the process of looking for alternatives to a current job, and the evaluation of those alternatives (Brown, 2009). Various decision making models, including the rational decision making model, Steers and Mowday’s model, image theory and the unfolding path model were studied to provide an understanding of how engineering professionals decided whether to seek alternative employment. Donnell and Quirin (2006) explained two decision making models. These are the image theory and Lee and Mitchell’s unfolding model. According to Zimmerman (2008), the studies carried out did not clearly reflect the impact of individual characteristic factors. An empirical study, by means of a survey and a questionnaire as a data collecting tool, was conducted to determine the factors that impacted on engineering professionals at GIBB to seek alternative employment and the decision making process they applied in seeking alternative employment. This study reflected that personal traits such as openness to new experiences, high levels of competency, the ability to form relationships at work, a general level of commitment, ability to incorporate other people’s views at work and a general positive attitude towards work itself influenced the decision to seek alternative employment. The external, internal, expectancy and personal trait factors that were perceived to be the most influential in impacting on engineering professionals’ decision to seek alternative employment were presented in a revised concept model. This model could be valuable for developing retention strategies at GIBB. Future research that could be beneficial to GIBB and the engineering industry was also identified.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Factors influencing employee perceptions of a post-merger working environment
- Authors: Morrison, Selwyn Hilary
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Universities and colleges -- Administration , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Employee morale -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Attitudes -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8582 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1604 , Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Universities and colleges -- Administration , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Employee morale -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Attitudes -- Evaluation
- Description: Higher Education in the late 1990’s experienced significant problems with capacity due to many black students applying to enter previously white institutions (Jansen, 2002:159). The main concern of the new ANC government was the status of historically black institutions. They were unstable due to the migration away from black to white universities and technikons. This reduced their financial status and viability. In addition, the anticipated huge increase in black enrolments in higher education had not materialised (Finweek Survey, February 2009). In order to overcome both of these problems, the then Minister of Education decided to press ahead with a merger programme aimed at reducing the number of higher education institutions from 36 to 21 (Jansen, 2002:6). The primary objective of this research is to investigate the factors that influence employee perceptions of a post-merger Working Environment and Organisational Commitment: a case study of the administration staff in the Finance Department at Walter Sisulu University. There seems to be a lack of efficiently and effectiveness in the he operations of the Finance Department of Walter Sisulu University which this research will investigate through finding solutions to factors of improving the relationship between employee perceptions of their post-merger Working Environment and their Organisational Commitment. This exploratory study collected primary data through the distribution of questionnaires to 59 employees from the Finance Department at the Walter Susulu University, with a 69.12% response rate. The survey included closed questions that were analysed using statistical techniques. The findings revealed overall low scores of 31% for employee perception of their post – merger Working Environment and 50.21% for Organisational Commitment, together with its sub-dimension Affective, Continuance and normative. These scores are disturbing and need to be urgently addressed by the management of the Institution. The implication of the Finance staff’s low perception of their post – merger Working Environment and organisation Commitment is that the institution’s goals will be difficult to be fulfilled due to the low morale of the staff and the non-conducive working conditions. The Institution’s Management should be more transparent, more trustworthy, and more supportive towards staff members and have a good overall communication strategy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Morrison, Selwyn Hilary
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Universities and colleges -- Administration , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Employee morale -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Attitudes -- Evaluation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8582 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1604 , Universities and colleges -- Mergers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Educational change -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Universities and colleges -- Administration , Education, Higher -- South Africa , Employee morale -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Employees -- Attitudes -- Evaluation
- Description: Higher Education in the late 1990’s experienced significant problems with capacity due to many black students applying to enter previously white institutions (Jansen, 2002:159). The main concern of the new ANC government was the status of historically black institutions. They were unstable due to the migration away from black to white universities and technikons. This reduced their financial status and viability. In addition, the anticipated huge increase in black enrolments in higher education had not materialised (Finweek Survey, February 2009). In order to overcome both of these problems, the then Minister of Education decided to press ahead with a merger programme aimed at reducing the number of higher education institutions from 36 to 21 (Jansen, 2002:6). The primary objective of this research is to investigate the factors that influence employee perceptions of a post-merger Working Environment and Organisational Commitment: a case study of the administration staff in the Finance Department at Walter Sisulu University. There seems to be a lack of efficiently and effectiveness in the he operations of the Finance Department of Walter Sisulu University which this research will investigate through finding solutions to factors of improving the relationship between employee perceptions of their post-merger Working Environment and their Organisational Commitment. This exploratory study collected primary data through the distribution of questionnaires to 59 employees from the Finance Department at the Walter Susulu University, with a 69.12% response rate. The survey included closed questions that were analysed using statistical techniques. The findings revealed overall low scores of 31% for employee perception of their post – merger Working Environment and 50.21% for Organisational Commitment, together with its sub-dimension Affective, Continuance and normative. These scores are disturbing and need to be urgently addressed by the management of the Institution. The implication of the Finance staff’s low perception of their post – merger Working Environment and organisation Commitment is that the institution’s goals will be difficult to be fulfilled due to the low morale of the staff and the non-conducive working conditions. The Institution’s Management should be more transparent, more trustworthy, and more supportive towards staff members and have a good overall communication strategy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Factors influencing improvements of productivity at Ford Struandale Engine Plant
- Authors: Sundu, Zamandile Oscar
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- Capital productivity -- South Africa , Lean manufacturing -- South Africa , Automobile factories
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8651 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1377 , Automobile industry and trade -- Capital productivity -- South Africa , Lean manufacturing -- South Africa , Automobile factories
- Description: This treatise investigates the underlying factors influencing productivity at Ford Struandale Engine Plant.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Sundu, Zamandile Oscar
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Automobile industry and trade -- Capital productivity -- South Africa , Lean manufacturing -- South Africa , Automobile factories
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8651 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1377 , Automobile industry and trade -- Capital productivity -- South Africa , Lean manufacturing -- South Africa , Automobile factories
- Description: This treatise investigates the underlying factors influencing productivity at Ford Struandale Engine Plant.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
How the Christian church can help in building business ethics
- Authors: Venter, Johannes Machiel
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Business ethics , Capitalism -- Religious aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8774 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012905
- Description: Research suggests that there is a relationship between religion and business ethics. When looking at the South African society and the statistics that says that 80 percent of the population is Christian but on the other hand we are confronted within this country with increasing incidents of corruption in private companies as well as in public services. Why would that be the case? This study seeks to understand if Christianity or the local church really makes an impact on the lives of its members. The research starts of by looking at behaviour in general and what constitute to good ethical decision-making. In the study on Christian ethics it becomes clear that there is a strong appeal in the Bible on ethical behaviour. The Bible goes as far as to claim that, when in a relationship with the Lord, the followers will show His character in the way they live at home and the way they behave and make ethical decisions at the workplace. This study used focus groups to research the role of the local church in changing behaviour. The study finds that Christianity per se does not change the behaviour of church members. The church members‘ definition of the church largely determines the impact the church will have on their lives. In the study on the Christian ethics it was clear that ethics were seen as something that was formed in communities and not by rules or regulations. It was not a case of people telling others what to do and what not. It was more a case of mentors that helped others to live differently in community with others. The study finds that when the local church is build on relationships and if there is a strong sense of community, the church has a huge impact on the lives of its members. This suggests that the local church should be more focused on strong and intimate relationships and not so much on the church as organisation or institute. This is also important for the businesses that will employ these members because they will make better ethical decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Venter, Johannes Machiel
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Business -- Religious aspects -- Christianity , Business ethics , Capitalism -- Religious aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8774 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012905
- Description: Research suggests that there is a relationship between religion and business ethics. When looking at the South African society and the statistics that says that 80 percent of the population is Christian but on the other hand we are confronted within this country with increasing incidents of corruption in private companies as well as in public services. Why would that be the case? This study seeks to understand if Christianity or the local church really makes an impact on the lives of its members. The research starts of by looking at behaviour in general and what constitute to good ethical decision-making. In the study on Christian ethics it becomes clear that there is a strong appeal in the Bible on ethical behaviour. The Bible goes as far as to claim that, when in a relationship with the Lord, the followers will show His character in the way they live at home and the way they behave and make ethical decisions at the workplace. This study used focus groups to research the role of the local church in changing behaviour. The study finds that Christianity per se does not change the behaviour of church members. The church members‘ definition of the church largely determines the impact the church will have on their lives. In the study on the Christian ethics it was clear that ethics were seen as something that was formed in communities and not by rules or regulations. It was not a case of people telling others what to do and what not. It was more a case of mentors that helped others to live differently in community with others. The study finds that when the local church is build on relationships and if there is a strong sense of community, the church has a huge impact on the lives of its members. This suggests that the local church should be more focused on strong and intimate relationships and not so much on the church as organisation or institute. This is also important for the businesses that will employ these members because they will make better ethical decisions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Improving indirect purchasing competitiveness in manufacturing firms through strategic purchasing
- Authors: Makubalo, Gcobisa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Industrial procurement -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Purchasing -- Management , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business logistics -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management , Organization -- Strategic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8535 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1653 , Industrial procurement -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Purchasing -- Management , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business logistics -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management , Organization -- Strategic aspects
- Description: The advent of the global financial recession, its impact on the economy with respect to market turbulence and the increase in customer demands have put organisations under intense pressure to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. By virtue of it not being business as usual in the business arena, organisations are forced to constantly devise strategies that are geared towards growth, transformation and continuous improvement. This cuts across all spheres of organisational structures, which means that every division has a role to play.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Makubalo, Gcobisa
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Industrial procurement -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Purchasing -- Management , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business logistics -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management , Organization -- Strategic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8535 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1653 , Industrial procurement -- Management -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Purchasing -- Management , Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Business logistics -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Management , Organization -- Strategic aspects
- Description: The advent of the global financial recession, its impact on the economy with respect to market turbulence and the increase in customer demands have put organisations under intense pressure to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. By virtue of it not being business as usual in the business arena, organisations are forced to constantly devise strategies that are geared towards growth, transformation and continuous improvement. This cuts across all spheres of organisational structures, which means that every division has a role to play.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Improving leadership development in a selected manufacturing company
- Authors: Kalashe, Lunga
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Leadership , Manufacturing industries -- Management , Executives -- Training of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8586 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1629 , Leadership , Manufacturing industries -- Management , Executives -- Training of
- Description: Leadership development is very important in business and often much lip service is given to “growing” leaders in business organisations. Leadership development takes place at the individual, group or organisational level and aims for greater effectiveness of an organisation’s human, social and systems capital. One of the biggest motor manufacturers in the Eastern Cape which employs more than 6 500 workers in the local plant and thousands of allied jobs at suppliers was selected to conduct this study on leadership development. The reason for choosing this company is that, over the years, the company established strong training and development programmes to help employees achieve their full potential and to grow the company. This study assesses the success of leadership development in the selected company as well as the factors that could lead to the improvement of its leadership development programme. The primary objective of the study is therefore to improve leadership development in the selected company by investigating the influence of selected factors on leadership development in that company. The sample was drawn from the employees of the company who were enrolled for leadership development at the company’s training institute as at October 2010. They were 55 engineers, 15 supervisors, 20 buyers and 12 managers. A census of these employees was conducted, in other words, 102 questionnaires were distributed to them. Only forty (40) respondents (response rate = 39.2%) however participated in the final study. The empirical results showed that three variables were key ingredients for achieving and increasing leadership development success: organisational culture, participative leadership and senior-management support. Implementing the recommendations that emanated from these results will go a long way in securing success in the company’s leadership development programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Kalashe, Lunga
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Leadership , Manufacturing industries -- Management , Executives -- Training of
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8586 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1629 , Leadership , Manufacturing industries -- Management , Executives -- Training of
- Description: Leadership development is very important in business and often much lip service is given to “growing” leaders in business organisations. Leadership development takes place at the individual, group or organisational level and aims for greater effectiveness of an organisation’s human, social and systems capital. One of the biggest motor manufacturers in the Eastern Cape which employs more than 6 500 workers in the local plant and thousands of allied jobs at suppliers was selected to conduct this study on leadership development. The reason for choosing this company is that, over the years, the company established strong training and development programmes to help employees achieve their full potential and to grow the company. This study assesses the success of leadership development in the selected company as well as the factors that could lead to the improvement of its leadership development programme. The primary objective of the study is therefore to improve leadership development in the selected company by investigating the influence of selected factors on leadership development in that company. The sample was drawn from the employees of the company who were enrolled for leadership development at the company’s training institute as at October 2010. They were 55 engineers, 15 supervisors, 20 buyers and 12 managers. A census of these employees was conducted, in other words, 102 questionnaires were distributed to them. Only forty (40) respondents (response rate = 39.2%) however participated in the final study. The empirical results showed that three variables were key ingredients for achieving and increasing leadership development success: organisational culture, participative leadership and senior-management support. Implementing the recommendations that emanated from these results will go a long way in securing success in the company’s leadership development programme.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Improving school management systems of low pass rate of high schools in the PE school district
- Authors: August, Thozama Ncediwe
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: School failure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Secondary -- Eastern Cape -- Port Elizabeth Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12571 , vital:27095
- Description: The DoE is structured in such a way that in all the provinces there are Districts which are formed by clusters. The performance of each province is measured according to that of the different Districts. This District performance reflects back to the schools in the clusters where they are found. Everyone is keen to know which District will be the top performer in the Grade 12 results in the Eastern Cape; because this is where performance of each school is measured. In the past years it was sad to notice that the Eastern Cape schools have had a very low pass rate. The DoE (PE) District has a challenge to change the situation in which the province finds itself. This research seeks to address the challenges encountered by the schools which are not able to improve their pass rate. It focuses on the school management systems of low pass rate schools; and how can they be modified. It is vitally important to manage the organisation or institution in a way which will optimize performance. That is the reason for discussing and debating the way school management is operated in the high pass rate schools, so that differences between the two categories of schools are noted and good strategies are utilised in low pass rate schools. For the PE District to improve; the schools in the circuits must improve in their performance. Each circuit is allocated an Educational Development Officer (EDO). It is the duty of the EDO to monitor and evaluate the schools in their circuits. These departmental officials have to ensure that schools are managed well; that is, that the school management systems are functioning properly. They need to assist the schools in any way they can, in order to improve the performance of the schools. This research study seeks to bring forward the challenges faced by the low performing schools so that every stakeholder in the schools and in the DoE is on board to improve the situation. Improvement in the circuit will help the province to enhance its overall performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: August, Thozama Ncediwe
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: School failure -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education, Secondary -- Eastern Cape -- Port Elizabeth Teachers -- Training of -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/12571 , vital:27095
- Description: The DoE is structured in such a way that in all the provinces there are Districts which are formed by clusters. The performance of each province is measured according to that of the different Districts. This District performance reflects back to the schools in the clusters where they are found. Everyone is keen to know which District will be the top performer in the Grade 12 results in the Eastern Cape; because this is where performance of each school is measured. In the past years it was sad to notice that the Eastern Cape schools have had a very low pass rate. The DoE (PE) District has a challenge to change the situation in which the province finds itself. This research seeks to address the challenges encountered by the schools which are not able to improve their pass rate. It focuses on the school management systems of low pass rate schools; and how can they be modified. It is vitally important to manage the organisation or institution in a way which will optimize performance. That is the reason for discussing and debating the way school management is operated in the high pass rate schools, so that differences between the two categories of schools are noted and good strategies are utilised in low pass rate schools. For the PE District to improve; the schools in the circuits must improve in their performance. Each circuit is allocated an Educational Development Officer (EDO). It is the duty of the EDO to monitor and evaluate the schools in their circuits. These departmental officials have to ensure that schools are managed well; that is, that the school management systems are functioning properly. They need to assist the schools in any way they can, in order to improve the performance of the schools. This research study seeks to bring forward the challenges faced by the low performing schools so that every stakeholder in the schools and in the DoE is on board to improve the situation. Improvement in the circuit will help the province to enhance its overall performance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Improving service quality and operations at a South African private healthcare clinic through the implimentation of lean principles
- Theunissen, Dirkie Petra Stephanie
- Authors: Theunissen, Dirkie Petra Stephanie
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Hospital care -- South Africa -- Quality control , Hospital care -- South Africa -- Cost effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:9313 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019943
- Description: Although open to debate, it is something of an undisputed fact and has been since the days of Florence Nightingale, that hospital management is frustrated with recurring problems - many of them due to broken processes. Hospitals are places of phenomenal healing and heroic care. However, as with any human-led endeavour, there are problems. (Grunden (2009)). A first time use of the word ‘lean’ generally begs some explaination as it is not a commonly used word. The simplest way to explain the word is by way of the introduction of the concept known as ‘lean management’. Lean management is a methodology which allows hospitals to advance the quality of patient care by reducing errors and waiting times. Lean is a system of reinforcement of hospital business for the long term thereby reducing costs and risk. Kanban (2009) states that lean is a toolset; a management system and a viewpoint that can change the way hospitals are structured and managed. Lean helps managers to comprehend and identify broken systems and to improve these in small parts, while employees aid in finding solutions for broken systems. This proposal analyses the effect lean tools have had within Arwyp Medical Centre in Kempton Park, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Theunissen, Dirkie Petra Stephanie
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Hospital care -- South Africa -- Quality control , Hospital care -- South Africa -- Cost effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:9313 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019943
- Description: Although open to debate, it is something of an undisputed fact and has been since the days of Florence Nightingale, that hospital management is frustrated with recurring problems - many of them due to broken processes. Hospitals are places of phenomenal healing and heroic care. However, as with any human-led endeavour, there are problems. (Grunden (2009)). A first time use of the word ‘lean’ generally begs some explaination as it is not a commonly used word. The simplest way to explain the word is by way of the introduction of the concept known as ‘lean management’. Lean management is a methodology which allows hospitals to advance the quality of patient care by reducing errors and waiting times. Lean is a system of reinforcement of hospital business for the long term thereby reducing costs and risk. Kanban (2009) states that lean is a toolset; a management system and a viewpoint that can change the way hospitals are structured and managed. Lean helps managers to comprehend and identify broken systems and to improve these in small parts, while employees aid in finding solutions for broken systems. This proposal analyses the effect lean tools have had within Arwyp Medical Centre in Kempton Park, South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Improving the organisational perfomance of school by increasing the effectiveness of school management teams
- Authors: Balie, Isaac Ronald
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: School management teams -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8584 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1612 , School management teams -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The principal together with the school management team (SMT) of a public school is responsible for ensuring that all areas in the school function effectively. Effective school-based management is no longer a choice in South Africa but, rather, a must. Seventeen years into democracy, the Grade 12 pass rates in the Eastern Cape for the past three years were 50.6% in 2008, 51.0% in 2009 and 58.3% in 2010. Although there has been an improvement over the last three years, the Eastern Cape was still number seven out of the nine provinces in 2010. Against this background the question arose as to whether the schools in the Eastern Cape were effectively managed. The primary objective of the study is therefore to improve the organisational performance of public schools in the Uitenhage education district by investigating the relationship between the perceived effective implementation of basic managerial tasks (planning, organising, leading and controlling), on the one hand, and organisational performance of schools, on the other hand. Convenience sampling was used to select 100 out of a possible 139 senior management team members from 26 public schools in the Uitenhage education district. The sample was stratified to include principals, deputy principals and heads of departments. The empirical results revealed that the management tasks, leading and controlling, were the main determinants of the organisational performance of participating schools. The empirical results showed that planning and organising do not have a significant influence on the organisational performance of these schools. The managerial implications of the results are discussed and recommendations are made on the basis of these discussions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Balie, Isaac Ronald
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: School management teams -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8584 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1612 , School management teams -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School management and organization -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , School boards -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The principal together with the school management team (SMT) of a public school is responsible for ensuring that all areas in the school function effectively. Effective school-based management is no longer a choice in South Africa but, rather, a must. Seventeen years into democracy, the Grade 12 pass rates in the Eastern Cape for the past three years were 50.6% in 2008, 51.0% in 2009 and 58.3% in 2010. Although there has been an improvement over the last three years, the Eastern Cape was still number seven out of the nine provinces in 2010. Against this background the question arose as to whether the schools in the Eastern Cape were effectively managed. The primary objective of the study is therefore to improve the organisational performance of public schools in the Uitenhage education district by investigating the relationship between the perceived effective implementation of basic managerial tasks (planning, organising, leading and controlling), on the one hand, and organisational performance of schools, on the other hand. Convenience sampling was used to select 100 out of a possible 139 senior management team members from 26 public schools in the Uitenhage education district. The sample was stratified to include principals, deputy principals and heads of departments. The empirical results revealed that the management tasks, leading and controlling, were the main determinants of the organisational performance of participating schools. The empirical results showed that planning and organising do not have a significant influence on the organisational performance of these schools. The managerial implications of the results are discussed and recommendations are made on the basis of these discussions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Increasing the competitve advantage of the smaller short-term insurance intermediary
- Authors: Stumke, Francois
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Insurance -- South Africa , Insurance companies -- South Africa -- Finance , Financial services industry -- Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:9372 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012447 , Insurance -- South Africa , Insurance companies -- South Africa -- Finance , Financial services industry -- Marketing
- Description: In a fragmented and competitive industry, it is likely for the smaller roleplayer to be challenged in terms of competitiveness and market share. It is, therefore, important for the smaller organisation to etch its position in the market, by increasing its competitive advantage. In a milieu where there is a shift in distribution dynamics and the balance of power, and an increase in consumerism, the need to react is a pressing issue to be addressed by the smaller player. In the context of this study, the small and medium-low-impact intermediary in the South African short-term insurance industry is under pressure from, among others, direct distribution models and the increasing volume of the medium-high and high-impact intermediaries. It is determined in this study that the intermediary is challenged by all five market forces, as postulated by Porter in the model of “the five forces that shape industry competition”. The intermediary organisation must adopt positioning strategies, and differentiate its offering, in order to stay relevant in the industry. The short-term insurance intermediate industry is classified as a service industry; and therefore, it has unique factors to attend to. The positioning and differentiation strategies must be implemented without compromising the service quality levels. Furthermore, in the development of positioning strategies, it is essential to investigate the traditional marketing mix, while amplifying the mix with contemporary views of the subject. These form the basis of the positioning strategy; and from there, differentiation offerings can be shaped. A survey analysis of the product suppliers aims to identify the most important strategies for success. The study relies on the industry knowledge of the executives of these organisations, to steer the positioning strategies of the intermediary to fit in with their own positioning in the marketplace.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Stumke, Francois
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Insurance -- South Africa , Insurance companies -- South Africa -- Finance , Financial services industry -- Marketing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:9372 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1012447 , Insurance -- South Africa , Insurance companies -- South Africa -- Finance , Financial services industry -- Marketing
- Description: In a fragmented and competitive industry, it is likely for the smaller roleplayer to be challenged in terms of competitiveness and market share. It is, therefore, important for the smaller organisation to etch its position in the market, by increasing its competitive advantage. In a milieu where there is a shift in distribution dynamics and the balance of power, and an increase in consumerism, the need to react is a pressing issue to be addressed by the smaller player. In the context of this study, the small and medium-low-impact intermediary in the South African short-term insurance industry is under pressure from, among others, direct distribution models and the increasing volume of the medium-high and high-impact intermediaries. It is determined in this study that the intermediary is challenged by all five market forces, as postulated by Porter in the model of “the five forces that shape industry competition”. The intermediary organisation must adopt positioning strategies, and differentiate its offering, in order to stay relevant in the industry. The short-term insurance intermediate industry is classified as a service industry; and therefore, it has unique factors to attend to. The positioning and differentiation strategies must be implemented without compromising the service quality levels. Furthermore, in the development of positioning strategies, it is essential to investigate the traditional marketing mix, while amplifying the mix with contemporary views of the subject. These form the basis of the positioning strategy; and from there, differentiation offerings can be shaped. A survey analysis of the product suppliers aims to identify the most important strategies for success. The study relies on the industry knowledge of the executives of these organisations, to steer the positioning strategies of the intermediary to fit in with their own positioning in the marketplace.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Investigating the challenges in school infrastructure delivery in the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Education
- Authors: Madumane, Maud
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: South Africa -- Deptartment of Education , School facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , School facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Planning , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8995 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011031 , South Africa -- Deptartment of Education , School facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , School facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Planning , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In the Eastern Cape department of Education, there are a variety of failures within the delivery of the school infrastructure. The department is faced with the problem of the infrastructure backlog. The study looked into planning, controls, leadership management style and the locus of control of officials dealing with the delivery of the school infrastructure in the department of education. Objective is to investigate the factors hindering the school infrastructure service delivery in the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Education. It was imperative that there was a need for more emphasis in ensuring that Education infrastructure planning base stabilized in order to effectively address infrastructure service delivery. The empirical study was conducted through semi-structured questionnaires. The sample was drawn from the infrastructure unit in Zwelitsha offices as well as from the officials that were implementing the infrastructure plans and from officials who provided support and monitoring. The empirical results showed that the department had no credible plans, no sound systems, or controls to track the non- service delivery. Management style was perceived as unconsultative and do not promote good co-operate governance. There is no retention strategy whilst there is a shortage of technical skills. It is recommended that the department should established a cross functional team which gives the strategic direction to the management of the school infrastructure delivery. The team should comprise of the top management of the department and as well the implementing agent and must be chaired by the Head of the department. The management should undergo a developmental training on charisma techniques which is associated with aspiration of officials in order to argument the unconsultative style of management which is perceived as more of instructing. Officials are to be capacited with the technical skills relevant to the built environment. The department should also implement the infrastructure delivery management system (IDMS) as prescribed in the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Toolkit Guide. The Toolkit provides a documented body of knowledge and a set of processes that represent generally recognised best practices in the delivery management of infrastructure (CIDB Toolkit Guide).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Madumane, Maud
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: South Africa -- Deptartment of Education , School facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , School facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Planning , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8995 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011031 , South Africa -- Deptartment of Education , School facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Finance , School facilities -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Planning , Education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: In the Eastern Cape department of Education, there are a variety of failures within the delivery of the school infrastructure. The department is faced with the problem of the infrastructure backlog. The study looked into planning, controls, leadership management style and the locus of control of officials dealing with the delivery of the school infrastructure in the department of education. Objective is to investigate the factors hindering the school infrastructure service delivery in the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Education. It was imperative that there was a need for more emphasis in ensuring that Education infrastructure planning base stabilized in order to effectively address infrastructure service delivery. The empirical study was conducted through semi-structured questionnaires. The sample was drawn from the infrastructure unit in Zwelitsha offices as well as from the officials that were implementing the infrastructure plans and from officials who provided support and monitoring. The empirical results showed that the department had no credible plans, no sound systems, or controls to track the non- service delivery. Management style was perceived as unconsultative and do not promote good co-operate governance. There is no retention strategy whilst there is a shortage of technical skills. It is recommended that the department should established a cross functional team which gives the strategic direction to the management of the school infrastructure delivery. The team should comprise of the top management of the department and as well the implementing agent and must be chaired by the Head of the department. The management should undergo a developmental training on charisma techniques which is associated with aspiration of officials in order to argument the unconsultative style of management which is perceived as more of instructing. Officials are to be capacited with the technical skills relevant to the built environment. The department should also implement the infrastructure delivery management system (IDMS) as prescribed in the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Toolkit Guide. The Toolkit provides a documented body of knowledge and a set of processes that represent generally recognised best practices in the delivery management of infrastructure (CIDB Toolkit Guide).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011