A critical analysis of the management of climate change risk among short-term insurers in South Africa: evidence from company annual reports
- Authors: Banda, Musale Hamangaba
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Insurance companies -- South Africa -- Case studies Risk (Insurance) -- South Africa Risk management -- Evaluation -- South Africa Insurance companies -- South Africa -- Management South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991 -- Environmental aspects Climatic changes -- Risk assessment -- South Africa Disaster insurance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:792 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003943
- Description: This study investigates the extent to which South African short-term insurance companies manage climate change risk, as evidenced in their annual and sustainability reporting. The study context takes into account the fact that the world’s climate has been changing at a more accelerated rate since the early 1970s, causing disasters that have negatively affected world economies in the last ten years. Insurers, due to their huge financial resource base, long history of spurring innovation around risk and encouraging loss-reducing behaviour as well as high levels of vulnerability, have been identified as one industry that could lead societies in finding solutions to climate change risk. A key element of such a corporate resolve involves taking a leadership position which makes business sense for insurers. As such, this research analyses how innovative solutions to change-related problems could result in reduced exposure to climate change in line with corporate triple bottom line objectives. Based on a purposive sampling of short-term insurance companies operating in the South African market during the 2007 financial year, the study uses the companies’ annual and sustainability reports in order to critically assess evidence of climate change-related performance. The assessment is undertaken against the best practice indicators of climate change risk management, as defined by Ceres – a global researcher on climate change management in the business context. The data analysis is largely qualitative, consisting of a narrative presentation of the results and a conceptual application of the results to the triple bottom line which forms the theoretical framework of this study. The study finds that the South African short-term insurers were generally not living up to the climate change management ideals, in comparison to their multinational counterparts. For the South African short-term insurers, corporate strategic product innovation and planning was insignificant. Also negligible was board involvement, as well as CEO involvement, though in at least one case of the 4 local short-term insurance, there was evidence of extensive CEO involvement in climate change risk management. On the whole, these findings represent a lapse in corporate governance inasmuch as climate change risk management is concerned. Local short-term insurers generally performed well in the area of public disclosure, with their scores ranging from insignificant to extensive. In contrast, multinational short-term insurers’ performance with regard to climate change risk intervention ranged from insignificant tointegrated, across the five governance areas of board oversight, management execution, public disclosure, emissions accounting and strategic planning. As such, the study broadly recommends that short-term insurers in South Africa should make climate change part of their overall risk management strategies in order for them to remain competitive in an environment of increased climate change-related risk. More specifically, the research project recommends that the local insurers should proactively lead climate change mitigation measures through, for instance, investing in clean energy projects and incentivising their clients’ participation in the carbon market to prepare themselves for possible regulatory restrictions after the Copenhagen climate change conference planned for December 2009. This study also challenges insurers to help communities and as well as other businesses in their value chain to reduce their negative impacts on the world’s climate and to be more resilient against disasters which may arise from the high levels of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere. Further, it recommends that insurers should create internal board and executive level climate change-related structures, as these will facilitate the integration of the proposed initiatives into their overall sustainability strategies. Above all, the study recommends that insurers should enhance the reporting of their climate change-related risk, opportunities and initiatives to improve their integrity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Banda, Musale Hamangaba
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Insurance companies -- South Africa -- Case studies Risk (Insurance) -- South Africa Risk management -- Evaluation -- South Africa Insurance companies -- South Africa -- Management South Africa -- Economic conditions -- 1991 -- Environmental aspects Climatic changes -- Risk assessment -- South Africa Disaster insurance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:792 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003943
- Description: This study investigates the extent to which South African short-term insurance companies manage climate change risk, as evidenced in their annual and sustainability reporting. The study context takes into account the fact that the world’s climate has been changing at a more accelerated rate since the early 1970s, causing disasters that have negatively affected world economies in the last ten years. Insurers, due to their huge financial resource base, long history of spurring innovation around risk and encouraging loss-reducing behaviour as well as high levels of vulnerability, have been identified as one industry that could lead societies in finding solutions to climate change risk. A key element of such a corporate resolve involves taking a leadership position which makes business sense for insurers. As such, this research analyses how innovative solutions to change-related problems could result in reduced exposure to climate change in line with corporate triple bottom line objectives. Based on a purposive sampling of short-term insurance companies operating in the South African market during the 2007 financial year, the study uses the companies’ annual and sustainability reports in order to critically assess evidence of climate change-related performance. The assessment is undertaken against the best practice indicators of climate change risk management, as defined by Ceres – a global researcher on climate change management in the business context. The data analysis is largely qualitative, consisting of a narrative presentation of the results and a conceptual application of the results to the triple bottom line which forms the theoretical framework of this study. The study finds that the South African short-term insurers were generally not living up to the climate change management ideals, in comparison to their multinational counterparts. For the South African short-term insurers, corporate strategic product innovation and planning was insignificant. Also negligible was board involvement, as well as CEO involvement, though in at least one case of the 4 local short-term insurance, there was evidence of extensive CEO involvement in climate change risk management. On the whole, these findings represent a lapse in corporate governance inasmuch as climate change risk management is concerned. Local short-term insurers generally performed well in the area of public disclosure, with their scores ranging from insignificant to extensive. In contrast, multinational short-term insurers’ performance with regard to climate change risk intervention ranged from insignificant tointegrated, across the five governance areas of board oversight, management execution, public disclosure, emissions accounting and strategic planning. As such, the study broadly recommends that short-term insurers in South Africa should make climate change part of their overall risk management strategies in order for them to remain competitive in an environment of increased climate change-related risk. More specifically, the research project recommends that the local insurers should proactively lead climate change mitigation measures through, for instance, investing in clean energy projects and incentivising their clients’ participation in the carbon market to prepare themselves for possible regulatory restrictions after the Copenhagen climate change conference planned for December 2009. This study also challenges insurers to help communities and as well as other businesses in their value chain to reduce their negative impacts on the world’s climate and to be more resilient against disasters which may arise from the high levels of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere. Further, it recommends that insurers should create internal board and executive level climate change-related structures, as these will facilitate the integration of the proposed initiatives into their overall sustainability strategies. Above all, the study recommends that insurers should enhance the reporting of their climate change-related risk, opportunities and initiatives to improve their integrity.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Assessing employee perceptions of quality at Fresenius Kabi Manufacturing South Africa (FKMSA)
- Authors: Bango, Nomasango Ida
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Quality control , Quality assurance -- South Africa -- Management , Manufactures -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8830 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019778
- Description: The pharmaceutical industry is one of the fastest growing and developing industries in the world today. With the ever advancing technology and manufacturing techniques, quality assurance has become the focus of regulatory bodies all over the world. The implementation of quality management systems (QMS) that ensures that quality is built into every step of the design and manufacturing process has been the focus of many pharmaceutical companies. With the implementation of quality systems, employee’s perception of those systems and overall quality standards of the organisation is very important in establishing the quality culture of the organisation. To benefit from sustainable quality systems the organisations must ensure that employees understand the importance of the systems and that employee’s take personal responsibility for ensuring that their functions are performed correctly the first time. FKMSA has invested in a QMS that seeks to integrate all quality issues. The quality system includes documentation, deviations, corrective and preventative action (CAPA), change controls and quality risk management (QRM) in the entire facility. This system is administered by the quality control department, but each department takes ownership for their quality issues with support and guidance from the quality unit. FKMSA also firmly believes that quality cannot merely rely on the quality control test results; every step of the production process has a quality aspect built in to ensure that quality standards are adhered to. Every employee is trained, assessed and deemed competent before they can perform their duties; this is to ensure that human errors are kept to a minimum. Employee’s perception of quality is an integral part of quality assurance and it is important for the organisation to know what the employees believe to be the company’s standards of quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Bango, Nomasango Ida
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Pharmaceutical industry -- South Africa -- Quality control , Quality assurance -- South Africa -- Management , Manufactures -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8830 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019778
- Description: The pharmaceutical industry is one of the fastest growing and developing industries in the world today. With the ever advancing technology and manufacturing techniques, quality assurance has become the focus of regulatory bodies all over the world. The implementation of quality management systems (QMS) that ensures that quality is built into every step of the design and manufacturing process has been the focus of many pharmaceutical companies. With the implementation of quality systems, employee’s perception of those systems and overall quality standards of the organisation is very important in establishing the quality culture of the organisation. To benefit from sustainable quality systems the organisations must ensure that employees understand the importance of the systems and that employee’s take personal responsibility for ensuring that their functions are performed correctly the first time. FKMSA has invested in a QMS that seeks to integrate all quality issues. The quality system includes documentation, deviations, corrective and preventative action (CAPA), change controls and quality risk management (QRM) in the entire facility. This system is administered by the quality control department, but each department takes ownership for their quality issues with support and guidance from the quality unit. FKMSA also firmly believes that quality cannot merely rely on the quality control test results; every step of the production process has a quality aspect built in to ensure that quality standards are adhered to. Every employee is trained, assessed and deemed competent before they can perform their duties; this is to ensure that human errors are kept to a minimum. Employee’s perception of quality is an integral part of quality assurance and it is important for the organisation to know what the employees believe to be the company’s standards of quality.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The use of lean tools to increase productivity and improve efficiency in Port Elizabeth Enforcement Audit
- Authors: Bantom, Phumeza Patience
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Quality control -- Auditing , Waste minimization , Auditing, Internal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8645 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008159 , Lean manufacturing , Quality control -- Auditing , Waste minimization , Auditing, Internal
- Description: Lean philosophy is based on the continuous quest to improve the organisation‟s processes by creating a culture and operating principles which eliminate all non value adding activities within organisation„s processes. Manufacturing firms consider the adoption of the Lean tools as basic requirements for achieving World Class operational excellence or Best Practice. For some time, lean has been used by the manufacturing organizations. Most organizations understand that lean will help them survive global competition and stay in business. The objective of this study is to investigate how lean manufacturing tools can be used to improve efficiency and enhance the embedding of a continuous improvement culture in the South African Revenue Service Enforcement Audit Port Elizabeth. The activities that took place in Enforcement Audit Port Elizabeth from September 2010 until 31 October 2011 were observed. During the study, an introductory presentation by the researcher was made to Regional Enforcement Management and staff in general, the presentation was to introduce the study highlighting different Lean tools. Thereafter the Port Elizabeth audit staff members were engaged formally, using surveys to assess their underlying mindset and behaviour as well as informally, using unstructured interviews to solicit more information on activities taking place and the reasoning behind certain actions. The results of the survey and observations are analysed and interpreted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Bantom, Phumeza Patience
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing , Quality control -- Auditing , Waste minimization , Auditing, Internal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8645 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008159 , Lean manufacturing , Quality control -- Auditing , Waste minimization , Auditing, Internal
- Description: Lean philosophy is based on the continuous quest to improve the organisation‟s processes by creating a culture and operating principles which eliminate all non value adding activities within organisation„s processes. Manufacturing firms consider the adoption of the Lean tools as basic requirements for achieving World Class operational excellence or Best Practice. For some time, lean has been used by the manufacturing organizations. Most organizations understand that lean will help them survive global competition and stay in business. The objective of this study is to investigate how lean manufacturing tools can be used to improve efficiency and enhance the embedding of a continuous improvement culture in the South African Revenue Service Enforcement Audit Port Elizabeth. The activities that took place in Enforcement Audit Port Elizabeth from September 2010 until 31 October 2011 were observed. During the study, an introductory presentation by the researcher was made to Regional Enforcement Management and staff in general, the presentation was to introduce the study highlighting different Lean tools. Thereafter the Port Elizabeth audit staff members were engaged formally, using surveys to assess their underlying mindset and behaviour as well as informally, using unstructured interviews to solicit more information on activities taking place and the reasoning behind certain actions. The results of the survey and observations are analysed and interpreted.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The development of a marketing plan for an emergency medical service
- Authors: Barley, Kim Wayne
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Market -- Planning , Emergency medical services , Health facilities -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10853 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/120 , Market -- Planning , Emergency medical services , Health facilities -- South Africa
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to develop a comprehensive marketing plan that would help an emergency medical service (EMS) in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM), capture a significant market share and gain a competitive advantage over competitors. To achieve this object, a literature study to determine the key components of a marketing plan was undertaken and used as a theoretical model in developing an actual marketing plan. In addition to the literature study, an empirical study was conducted to identify the key issues critical to the development of a marketing plan for the EMS. The survey method used, based on the key components gained from the literature study, consisted of an in-depth scan of the macro-environment and thorough market investigation of the target industry. The investigation involved the general management and senior personnel from the local emergency medical industry, medical aid schemes and private hospitals and clinics delimited in the study. The results of the above literature study were finally combined with the results of the empirical study and a marketing plan for an emergency medical service was developed. This study concludes with recommendations applicable for the implementation of the actual marketing plan.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Barley, Kim Wayne
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Market -- Planning , Emergency medical services , Health facilities -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10853 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/120 , Market -- Planning , Emergency medical services , Health facilities -- South Africa
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to develop a comprehensive marketing plan that would help an emergency medical service (EMS) in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM), capture a significant market share and gain a competitive advantage over competitors. To achieve this object, a literature study to determine the key components of a marketing plan was undertaken and used as a theoretical model in developing an actual marketing plan. In addition to the literature study, an empirical study was conducted to identify the key issues critical to the development of a marketing plan for the EMS. The survey method used, based on the key components gained from the literature study, consisted of an in-depth scan of the macro-environment and thorough market investigation of the target industry. The investigation involved the general management and senior personnel from the local emergency medical industry, medical aid schemes and private hospitals and clinics delimited in the study. The results of the above literature study were finally combined with the results of the empirical study and a marketing plan for an emergency medical service was developed. This study concludes with recommendations applicable for the implementation of the actual marketing plan.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
Evaluating intrapreneurship levels at an Eastern Cape automotive manufacturing plant
- Authors: Barnard, Christiaan Beautry
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Business incubators -- South Africa Entrepreneurship -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14960 , vital:28023
- Description: The term automotive industry is an umbrella term for concerns and undertakings contributing to the manufacturing of motor vehicles. This includes components such as engines, electronics, harnesses, interiors and shells, but excludes consumables such as tires, batteries and fuel. The local automotive industry is one of South Africa’s most profitable industries, funding more than 7% of the country’s GDP and contributing towards almost 12% of South Africa's manufacturing exports. Many multinational automotive manufacturers have invested in South Africa. This has allowed them to be strategically placed with the intention to source components, assemble and produce vehicles locally for the South African and other world markets. Due to the current contributions and its potential to grow the South African economy, the South African administration has recognised the automotive industry as an important sector. The South African government introduced the Motor Industry Development Programme during 1994 and the Automotive Production and Development Programme since 2013 to further stimulate the market and investment and further aims to increase the local production of vehicles to 1.2 million units per year as part of its 2020 vision. When considering the global competition, from China and Eastern Europe, it is imperative for the South African manufacturers to pursue and implement innovative practices to ensure that they can be competitive in the global arena, to retain and attract more multinational manufacturers to invest in the country and to ensure the future of existing multinational manufacturing facilities. Many scholars agree that intrapreneurship, also known as corporate entrepreneurship, is an approach which has the ability to help organisations to be more innovative and can guarantee competitiveness. Intrapreneurship is a valid and important aspect of entrepreneurial research. The subject of intrapreneurship can be divided into several key areas: 1. The individual operating as an intrapreneur within an organisation, focusing on his or her traits and the acknowledgement and support received within the organisation; 2. The conceptualisation and implementation of innovative projects from inside the organisation, focusing on the different departments and business units within the organisation’s corporate structure; 3. The entrepreneurial organisation, focusing on the core characteristics of the organisation. This study explores the concept of intrapreneurship, by consulting existing literature and then measuring the levels of intrapreneurship at a German automotive manufacturing plant in the Eastern Cape. To ensure anonymity of the organisation in which the study is conducted, it will be referred to as Company X. Currently no studies focused on intrapreneurship have been conducted within Company X. Innovative practices are not demonstrated as much as desired at the local manufacturing plant of company X and the levels of intrapreneurship within the manufacturing plant are currently still unknown. With the automotive industry being such an important contributor to the South African economy, it might be beneficial to do a similar study pertaining to multiple companies within the industry and value chain. This can assist in creating a bigger awareness within the industry, so that the affected organisations can have a more intrapreneurial approach towards business. The study can furthermore be adapted to consider a more technical approach of production facilities within South Africa and the intrapreneurial approach and innovations implemented to insure productivity and future investments, locally and international, within the production sector of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Barnard, Christiaan Beautry
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Business incubators -- South Africa Entrepreneurship -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14960 , vital:28023
- Description: The term automotive industry is an umbrella term for concerns and undertakings contributing to the manufacturing of motor vehicles. This includes components such as engines, electronics, harnesses, interiors and shells, but excludes consumables such as tires, batteries and fuel. The local automotive industry is one of South Africa’s most profitable industries, funding more than 7% of the country’s GDP and contributing towards almost 12% of South Africa's manufacturing exports. Many multinational automotive manufacturers have invested in South Africa. This has allowed them to be strategically placed with the intention to source components, assemble and produce vehicles locally for the South African and other world markets. Due to the current contributions and its potential to grow the South African economy, the South African administration has recognised the automotive industry as an important sector. The South African government introduced the Motor Industry Development Programme during 1994 and the Automotive Production and Development Programme since 2013 to further stimulate the market and investment and further aims to increase the local production of vehicles to 1.2 million units per year as part of its 2020 vision. When considering the global competition, from China and Eastern Europe, it is imperative for the South African manufacturers to pursue and implement innovative practices to ensure that they can be competitive in the global arena, to retain and attract more multinational manufacturers to invest in the country and to ensure the future of existing multinational manufacturing facilities. Many scholars agree that intrapreneurship, also known as corporate entrepreneurship, is an approach which has the ability to help organisations to be more innovative and can guarantee competitiveness. Intrapreneurship is a valid and important aspect of entrepreneurial research. The subject of intrapreneurship can be divided into several key areas: 1. The individual operating as an intrapreneur within an organisation, focusing on his or her traits and the acknowledgement and support received within the organisation; 2. The conceptualisation and implementation of innovative projects from inside the organisation, focusing on the different departments and business units within the organisation’s corporate structure; 3. The entrepreneurial organisation, focusing on the core characteristics of the organisation. This study explores the concept of intrapreneurship, by consulting existing literature and then measuring the levels of intrapreneurship at a German automotive manufacturing plant in the Eastern Cape. To ensure anonymity of the organisation in which the study is conducted, it will be referred to as Company X. Currently no studies focused on intrapreneurship have been conducted within Company X. Innovative practices are not demonstrated as much as desired at the local manufacturing plant of company X and the levels of intrapreneurship within the manufacturing plant are currently still unknown. With the automotive industry being such an important contributor to the South African economy, it might be beneficial to do a similar study pertaining to multiple companies within the industry and value chain. This can assist in creating a bigger awareness within the industry, so that the affected organisations can have a more intrapreneurial approach towards business. The study can furthermore be adapted to consider a more technical approach of production facilities within South Africa and the intrapreneurial approach and innovations implemented to insure productivity and future investments, locally and international, within the production sector of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The relationship between authentic leadership, cultural intelligence and employee behaviour
- Authors: Barrass, Deon Brian
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Leadership , Cultural intelligence , Employees -- Attitudes , Work environment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020336
- Description: Employee performance is a constant concern for any manager in a company or organisation. Managers have the unenviable task of balancing the meeting of organisational targets through the resources at their disposal. They must also manage their own responsibilities and personal targets which could be different to targets of the employees. These differences could create divergent priorities and affect the manager-employee relationship. Managers, in an effort to create a healthy work environment, need to show leadership qualities that encourage cooperation from their employees. These qualities must enable employees to form trustworthy relationships with their colleagues and the organisation thereby encouraging employee engagement and improved performance. A specific leadership quality that can create this type of positive and productive environment is authenticity. Authentic leadership can engender employee trust and organisational commitment and improve performance. Authentic leadership encourages improved relationships in the organisational environment by allowing employees and managers to communicate effectively. This encourages understanding of individual and organisational limitations in a non-threatening manner. Cultural intelligence is another quality that can enhance the employee manager relationship and affect the organisational climate. In South Africa’s culturally diverse environment managers from various cultural backgrounds will need to form healthy working relationships with employees and colleagues to encourage cooperation. These challenges and opportunities form the basis for this research study in the hope of informing managers of the relevance of the research topic and encouraging a change of behaviour and further study within the South African work environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Barrass, Deon Brian
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Leadership , Cultural intelligence , Employees -- Attitudes , Work environment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8872 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020336
- Description: Employee performance is a constant concern for any manager in a company or organisation. Managers have the unenviable task of balancing the meeting of organisational targets through the resources at their disposal. They must also manage their own responsibilities and personal targets which could be different to targets of the employees. These differences could create divergent priorities and affect the manager-employee relationship. Managers, in an effort to create a healthy work environment, need to show leadership qualities that encourage cooperation from their employees. These qualities must enable employees to form trustworthy relationships with their colleagues and the organisation thereby encouraging employee engagement and improved performance. A specific leadership quality that can create this type of positive and productive environment is authenticity. Authentic leadership can engender employee trust and organisational commitment and improve performance. Authentic leadership encourages improved relationships in the organisational environment by allowing employees and managers to communicate effectively. This encourages understanding of individual and organisational limitations in a non-threatening manner. Cultural intelligence is another quality that can enhance the employee manager relationship and affect the organisational climate. In South Africa’s culturally diverse environment managers from various cultural backgrounds will need to form healthy working relationships with employees and colleagues to encourage cooperation. These challenges and opportunities form the basis for this research study in the hope of informing managers of the relevance of the research topic and encouraging a change of behaviour and further study within the South African work environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Sustainable training support framework for the wind power industry in South Africa
- Authors: Barton, Cayleigh Ann
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Wind power industry -- South Africa Wind power industry -- Technological innovations , Energy development Renewable energy sources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50020 , vital:41985
- Description: South Africa has emerged as one of the most important renewable energy markets as reflected by the USD 5.5 billion invested in South Africa in 2014 (Merger’s Alliance, 2015). As the opportunity exists for South Africa to take advantage of its above average natural wind resources, the main purpose of the case study research effort was therefore to develop a theoretical sustainable training framework in support of the rapidly growing wind power industry in South Africa. The proposed location for a sustainable training support framework is at the NMMU Business School and Leadership Academy, strategically located in the Eastern Cape. In addition, the NMMU Business School and Leadership Academy has satellite offices all around South Africa, thus creating accessible training and education solutions to most parts of the country. The case study research approach was qualitative in nature, thus providing valuable insight into the case study phenomenon. The researcher focused on a single context, namely the wind power industry in South Africa, and within a single case of the establishment of a sustainable training support framework at the NMMU Business School and Leadership Academy. The embedded, multiple units of analysis comprised of a purposive sample of strategic individuals operating within the South African wind power sector, socio-economic development, education and training industries. In staying within the research design, the case study made use of an in-depth interview process in order to address the research propositions of the case study. The investigative interview questions were fully supported by secondary sources of information. The case study provided valuable insight into the unique South African wind power industry setting, with a focus on education and training in line with the REIPPPP minimum threshold and targets for socio-economic development and job creation. The researcher experienced a lack of responses from industry experts who were contacted for interviews. This lack of response could be considered as a limitation in validating the outcome of the study. The South African wind power industry is one of the most thriving markets in the world (Merger’s Alliance, 2015) and due to its fledging nature; research on the topic under discussion is not readily available. Thus, the research effort provided relevant information regarding the unique setting of the South African wind power industry and added value through the proposition of a sustainable training support framework strategically located at the NMMU Business School.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Barton, Cayleigh Ann
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Wind power industry -- South Africa Wind power industry -- Technological innovations , Energy development Renewable energy sources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/50020 , vital:41985
- Description: South Africa has emerged as one of the most important renewable energy markets as reflected by the USD 5.5 billion invested in South Africa in 2014 (Merger’s Alliance, 2015). As the opportunity exists for South Africa to take advantage of its above average natural wind resources, the main purpose of the case study research effort was therefore to develop a theoretical sustainable training framework in support of the rapidly growing wind power industry in South Africa. The proposed location for a sustainable training support framework is at the NMMU Business School and Leadership Academy, strategically located in the Eastern Cape. In addition, the NMMU Business School and Leadership Academy has satellite offices all around South Africa, thus creating accessible training and education solutions to most parts of the country. The case study research approach was qualitative in nature, thus providing valuable insight into the case study phenomenon. The researcher focused on a single context, namely the wind power industry in South Africa, and within a single case of the establishment of a sustainable training support framework at the NMMU Business School and Leadership Academy. The embedded, multiple units of analysis comprised of a purposive sample of strategic individuals operating within the South African wind power sector, socio-economic development, education and training industries. In staying within the research design, the case study made use of an in-depth interview process in order to address the research propositions of the case study. The investigative interview questions were fully supported by secondary sources of information. The case study provided valuable insight into the unique South African wind power industry setting, with a focus on education and training in line with the REIPPPP minimum threshold and targets for socio-economic development and job creation. The researcher experienced a lack of responses from industry experts who were contacted for interviews. This lack of response could be considered as a limitation in validating the outcome of the study. The South African wind power industry is one of the most thriving markets in the world (Merger’s Alliance, 2015) and due to its fledging nature; research on the topic under discussion is not readily available. Thus, the research effort provided relevant information regarding the unique setting of the South African wind power industry and added value through the proposition of a sustainable training support framework strategically located at the NMMU Business School.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
The determinants of waste separation behaviour in Uitenhage, South Africa
- Authors: Basson, Anna-Marie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Recycling industry -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23658 , vital:30593
- Description: The value of waste as a resource, diverting waste from landfills and the need for a circular economy, was emphasised at the South African and European Colloquium on recycling hosted by PETCO, the polyethylene terephthalate company (Godfrey, 2013, p. 17). In South Africa, the recycling industry is seen as a means to provide income and skills development, and to create sustainable livelihoods. Yet, the country remains deeply entrenched in landfilling (Godfrey, 2013, p. 19). According to Zhang, Huang, Yin and Gong (2015, p. 9475) “understanding the factors that affect residents’ waste separation behaviours helps in constructing effective environmental campaigns for the community”. The focus of a waste management system should be to motivate and convince the consumer to dispose of their waste in a sustainable manner. The waste separation decision is complex and can be explained by the theory of planned behaviour and theory of reasoned action (Nguyen, Nguyen, Lobo & Dao, 2017, p. 2). The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate the factors that influence the waste separation behaviour of households in the Uitenhage area. In order to achieve this aim, secondary research (literature review) and primary research (empirical study) were conducted. The study has shown that if the residents are presented with free containers and have access to a collection service which facilitates the flow of the recyclables from the point of consumption to the point of sustainable disposal and conversion, it could motivate them to separate the waste. The only variable that was found significant in relation to household waste separation behaviour was motivation. The respondents are motivated to separate their household waste; yet, they do not separate it. The frequency distribution analysis reported that the sample was not experienced waste separators, where less than half of the sample was engaged in some waste separation activities. Yet, the respondents had a positive attitude towards the importance of waste separation and disagreed that waste separation is inconvenient. The majority of the respondents agreed that they have control over their behaviour and that the decision to separate their waste is within their control, but yet they do not separate their waste. The respondents agreed that they have the knowledge of what and how to separate waste, however, disagreed that they know where to take their separated waste. Interestingly, the respondents agreed that waste separation is The determinants of waste separation behaviour in Uitenhage, South Africa part of their moral norms; yet, they do not consider family and friends, including the municipality, to exert social pressure on them to separate their household waste. It is recommended that the municipality investigates the requirements for implementing a waste management scheme which provides containers for free and collects separated waste from households. Entrepreneurs can also play a pivotal role in bridging the gap in the waste management supply chain by establishing buy-back centres and sustainable recycling depots to facilitate the collection of separated waste for recycling. These collection services, buy-back centres and recycling depots present business opportunities and job creation potential, which will drive the economic growth in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Basson, Anna-Marie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Recycling industry -- South Africa , Sustainable development -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa -- Environmental aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/23658 , vital:30593
- Description: The value of waste as a resource, diverting waste from landfills and the need for a circular economy, was emphasised at the South African and European Colloquium on recycling hosted by PETCO, the polyethylene terephthalate company (Godfrey, 2013, p. 17). In South Africa, the recycling industry is seen as a means to provide income and skills development, and to create sustainable livelihoods. Yet, the country remains deeply entrenched in landfilling (Godfrey, 2013, p. 19). According to Zhang, Huang, Yin and Gong (2015, p. 9475) “understanding the factors that affect residents’ waste separation behaviours helps in constructing effective environmental campaigns for the community”. The focus of a waste management system should be to motivate and convince the consumer to dispose of their waste in a sustainable manner. The waste separation decision is complex and can be explained by the theory of planned behaviour and theory of reasoned action (Nguyen, Nguyen, Lobo & Dao, 2017, p. 2). The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate the factors that influence the waste separation behaviour of households in the Uitenhage area. In order to achieve this aim, secondary research (literature review) and primary research (empirical study) were conducted. The study has shown that if the residents are presented with free containers and have access to a collection service which facilitates the flow of the recyclables from the point of consumption to the point of sustainable disposal and conversion, it could motivate them to separate the waste. The only variable that was found significant in relation to household waste separation behaviour was motivation. The respondents are motivated to separate their household waste; yet, they do not separate it. The frequency distribution analysis reported that the sample was not experienced waste separators, where less than half of the sample was engaged in some waste separation activities. Yet, the respondents had a positive attitude towards the importance of waste separation and disagreed that waste separation is inconvenient. The majority of the respondents agreed that they have control over their behaviour and that the decision to separate their waste is within their control, but yet they do not separate their waste. The respondents agreed that they have the knowledge of what and how to separate waste, however, disagreed that they know where to take their separated waste. Interestingly, the respondents agreed that waste separation is The determinants of waste separation behaviour in Uitenhage, South Africa part of their moral norms; yet, they do not consider family and friends, including the municipality, to exert social pressure on them to separate their household waste. It is recommended that the municipality investigates the requirements for implementing a waste management scheme which provides containers for free and collects separated waste from households. Entrepreneurs can also play a pivotal role in bridging the gap in the waste management supply chain by establishing buy-back centres and sustainable recycling depots to facilitate the collection of separated waste for recycling. These collection services, buy-back centres and recycling depots present business opportunities and job creation potential, which will drive the economic growth in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Case study : profitability drivers in the South African airline industry : a comparative analysis of SAA and Comair
- Authors: Batidzirai, Davison Herbert
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: South African Airways , Comair Limited , Airlines -- South Africa , Corporate profits -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:846 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017191
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Batidzirai, Davison Herbert
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: South African Airways , Comair Limited , Airlines -- South Africa , Corporate profits -- South Africa , Organizational effectiveness -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:846 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017191
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
A framework for enhancing compliance with Employee Performance Management and Development Systems(EPMDS) among public sector doctors in BCMM health facilities
- Bayeni, Luvuyo Lonwabo Precious
- Authors: Bayeni, Luvuyo Lonwabo Precious
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Performance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47520 , vital:40116
- Description: This research explored an employee performance management and development system in the context of the public health centres in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study reviewed the literature on EPMDS in the public health sector of South Africa, noting the shortfalls, challenges, and ways in which it could be improved. The major findings from the study include the need to review the entire policy, revise the pay-scales, and co-create a new EPMDS policy creating space for the representation of the views of the employees. Without completing the development and performance evaluation, grade progression cannot be implemented despite years of service; hence the problem doctors face with their salary levels. The current EPMDS was found to be ineffective due to the wide discrepancy that exists between doctors and other health professionals in public health institutions. Among the commitment motivators highlighted by the respondents, was the need to develop an organisational culture that permits employees to recognise that they are appreciated. Future research must consider using mixed research methods, in the context of other South African Provinces and include a larger sample of research participants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Bayeni, Luvuyo Lonwabo Precious
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Performance -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47520 , vital:40116
- Description: This research explored an employee performance management and development system in the context of the public health centres in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study reviewed the literature on EPMDS in the public health sector of South Africa, noting the shortfalls, challenges, and ways in which it could be improved. The major findings from the study include the need to review the entire policy, revise the pay-scales, and co-create a new EPMDS policy creating space for the representation of the views of the employees. Without completing the development and performance evaluation, grade progression cannot be implemented despite years of service; hence the problem doctors face with their salary levels. The current EPMDS was found to be ineffective due to the wide discrepancy that exists between doctors and other health professionals in public health institutions. Among the commitment motivators highlighted by the respondents, was the need to develop an organisational culture that permits employees to recognise that they are appreciated. Future research must consider using mixed research methods, in the context of other South African Provinces and include a larger sample of research participants.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An assessment of change readiness prior to significant organisational change
- Authors: Bedser, Mark Bernard
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Organization change -- South Africa -- Case studies Eskom (Firm) -- Management , ADKAR model
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:716 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001870
- Description: This research paper is broken up into three sections, namely an evaluation report, a literature review and research methodology. The evaluation report section is the assessment of the current state of change readiness within the Eskom Contact Centre’s based upon what the literature on change readiness prescribes. The timing of the change readiness assessment is just prior to significant organisational change. The organisational change that was about to be initiated by the organisation was initiated from the boardroom of the most senior echelons of the organisation, and was directed in a top down approach, being a strategic organisational change. The change is deemed to be critical to the organisation being able to meet its long term strategic and sustainability objectives. A critical examination of the literature explored the meaning of change readiness, the importance of it and explained the consequences for organisations that commit to transformational agendas without being ready. Key concepts such as such resistance to change and organisational inertia are described and differentiated from change readiness. The ADKAR change model and its change readiness assessment instrument were used due to the organisations preference for the model. The ADKAR model formed the framework for the analyses of the data, the discussion of the results and the recommendations to the organisation. The research conducted was quantitative in nature; a questionnaire was distributed to the employees of the seven Eskom Contact centre sites around the country through an email. A slightly modified version of the ADKAR change readiness questionnaire was sent via email with an on-line questionnaire link on it; and questions on individual readiness for change were used to assess the level of readiness of the employees. Most of the descriptive and inferential statistics were analysed with the use of Excel (version, 2010), with Factor Analysis being done in research showed that: - The factors as proposed by the ADKAR change readiness assessment questionnaire (i.e. Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement) are not different enough to be considered as independent factors for this data set. Based on factor analysis, the factors were subsequently amended from five to three, namely Readiness, Opportunity Realisation and Uncertainty. - The Contact Centre employees were somewhat ready for change. - The Contact Centres needed to focus on all amended ADKAR factors in order to improve the readiness of the department. - The readiness levels in response to the roll out were more or less uniform. The study shows that given Eskom’s preference for the ADKAR model, future research within Eskom should therefore be conducted more circumspectly with respect to ascertaining the validity of the ADKAR factors. The study also makes mention that future work and/or research will need to be conducted, specifically on the readiness of the organisation itself, in order to improve the probability of transformational success. The ADKAR assessment is a people focused assessment and therefore focuses only on the readiness of the individual. Factors such as the adequacy of the current state of resources within the organisation, which incorporate aspects such as infrastructure, technology and staffing, will also need to be assessed to make a more holistic statement of change readiness. A concise review of the literature is incorporated into the Evaluation Report of Section 1 to underpin the study. In Section 2 a more extensive review of the literature is presented. Similarly, the design of the research is discussed in more detail in Section 3 to both describe and justify the appropriateness of the research methodology, and to give a detailed account of the way in which the research was carried out.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Bedser, Mark Bernard
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Organization change -- South Africa -- Case studies Eskom (Firm) -- Management , ADKAR model
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:716 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001870
- Description: This research paper is broken up into three sections, namely an evaluation report, a literature review and research methodology. The evaluation report section is the assessment of the current state of change readiness within the Eskom Contact Centre’s based upon what the literature on change readiness prescribes. The timing of the change readiness assessment is just prior to significant organisational change. The organisational change that was about to be initiated by the organisation was initiated from the boardroom of the most senior echelons of the organisation, and was directed in a top down approach, being a strategic organisational change. The change is deemed to be critical to the organisation being able to meet its long term strategic and sustainability objectives. A critical examination of the literature explored the meaning of change readiness, the importance of it and explained the consequences for organisations that commit to transformational agendas without being ready. Key concepts such as such resistance to change and organisational inertia are described and differentiated from change readiness. The ADKAR change model and its change readiness assessment instrument were used due to the organisations preference for the model. The ADKAR model formed the framework for the analyses of the data, the discussion of the results and the recommendations to the organisation. The research conducted was quantitative in nature; a questionnaire was distributed to the employees of the seven Eskom Contact centre sites around the country through an email. A slightly modified version of the ADKAR change readiness questionnaire was sent via email with an on-line questionnaire link on it; and questions on individual readiness for change were used to assess the level of readiness of the employees. Most of the descriptive and inferential statistics were analysed with the use of Excel (version, 2010), with Factor Analysis being done in research showed that: - The factors as proposed by the ADKAR change readiness assessment questionnaire (i.e. Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement) are not different enough to be considered as independent factors for this data set. Based on factor analysis, the factors were subsequently amended from five to three, namely Readiness, Opportunity Realisation and Uncertainty. - The Contact Centre employees were somewhat ready for change. - The Contact Centres needed to focus on all amended ADKAR factors in order to improve the readiness of the department. - The readiness levels in response to the roll out were more or less uniform. The study shows that given Eskom’s preference for the ADKAR model, future research within Eskom should therefore be conducted more circumspectly with respect to ascertaining the validity of the ADKAR factors. The study also makes mention that future work and/or research will need to be conducted, specifically on the readiness of the organisation itself, in order to improve the probability of transformational success. The ADKAR assessment is a people focused assessment and therefore focuses only on the readiness of the individual. Factors such as the adequacy of the current state of resources within the organisation, which incorporate aspects such as infrastructure, technology and staffing, will also need to be assessed to make a more holistic statement of change readiness. A concise review of the literature is incorporated into the Evaluation Report of Section 1 to underpin the study. In Section 2 a more extensive review of the literature is presented. Similarly, the design of the research is discussed in more detail in Section 3 to both describe and justify the appropriateness of the research methodology, and to give a detailed account of the way in which the research was carried out.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An assessment of opportunities for implementing lean management in the healthcare supply chain of selected clinics in the East London area
- Authors: Beja, Fezekile Sydwell
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing -- Management , Business logistics -- South Africa -- East London , Medical care -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8899 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020958
- Description: When the current South African government came into power two decades ago they inherited a fragmented health care system whose main focus was on the tertiary care level. The strategy of the current government was to re-focus the whole health care system and prioritize primary health care system. That included setting up district health care systems and building primary health care centres in the areas within the communities in order to make health care accessible to everybody. Due to financial difficulties the majority of the people staying in these communities solely depend on these clinics as they cannot afford to buy health care services in the private sector. The study seeks to assess the current medication supply chain to these clinics with a view of coming up with recommendations that, when implemented, will ensure that the supply of medication by the clinics is able to meet the demands of their patients. Lean management is a system that was started in the manufacturing sector and because of its success there it was later adopted by the service industry. Lean is a system that seeks to eliminate all forms of waste and improve the quality of the service rendered to the satisfaction of the customer/patient. Literature review and discussion of lean implementation is discussed extensively. The findings of the study are presented, analyzed and discussed. In these findings it is noted that the system is functioning very well but there are challenges in these clinics that need to be addressed. Recommendations of how lean management can be implemented successfully to optimize the functioning of the current system are discusse The permission received from the Department of Health to conduct this study came with contractual obligations that the researcher promised to honour. One of those requirement stated clearly that the findings of the study should not be published anywhere without the permission of the Department (see addendums A & C). It is under that premise that the researcher wants to bring this to the attention of the relevant university departments, with the hope of ensuring that this contractual obligation is honoured.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Beja, Fezekile Sydwell
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Lean manufacturing -- Management , Business logistics -- South Africa -- East London , Medical care -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8899 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020958
- Description: When the current South African government came into power two decades ago they inherited a fragmented health care system whose main focus was on the tertiary care level. The strategy of the current government was to re-focus the whole health care system and prioritize primary health care system. That included setting up district health care systems and building primary health care centres in the areas within the communities in order to make health care accessible to everybody. Due to financial difficulties the majority of the people staying in these communities solely depend on these clinics as they cannot afford to buy health care services in the private sector. The study seeks to assess the current medication supply chain to these clinics with a view of coming up with recommendations that, when implemented, will ensure that the supply of medication by the clinics is able to meet the demands of their patients. Lean management is a system that was started in the manufacturing sector and because of its success there it was later adopted by the service industry. Lean is a system that seeks to eliminate all forms of waste and improve the quality of the service rendered to the satisfaction of the customer/patient. Literature review and discussion of lean implementation is discussed extensively. The findings of the study are presented, analyzed and discussed. In these findings it is noted that the system is functioning very well but there are challenges in these clinics that need to be addressed. Recommendations of how lean management can be implemented successfully to optimize the functioning of the current system are discusse The permission received from the Department of Health to conduct this study came with contractual obligations that the researcher promised to honour. One of those requirement stated clearly that the findings of the study should not be published anywhere without the permission of the Department (see addendums A & C). It is under that premise that the researcher wants to bring this to the attention of the relevant university departments, with the hope of ensuring that this contractual obligation is honoured.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The impact of mergers and acquisitions on employee well-being in the beverage industry: The CCBSA coastal region case
- Authors: Belle, Isabel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Employees health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beverage industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49751 , vital:41796
- Description: Globalisation, technological advancement and currency regulations are key motivators for companies to invest in foreign countries. As new entrants enter the market companies are faced with the threat of market share loss due to increased competition. The increase in the global competitive landscape has a direct impact on the rise of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). The growth potential of companies that experienced mergers has resulted in the boom of M&A over the past three decades. In most cases M&A have resulted in job losses and in some demotions. It is no surprise that these transactions result in an anxious and stressed workforce. The merger of the three soft drink bottlers in South Africa namely: CCF, Shanduka and ABI has brought about changes that have left some employees feeling anxious about the future. The combining of different cultures from the different entities can have a negative effect on employees as they would need to adapt to a different culture of the new formed entity. M&A were first introduced in the United States during the eighteenth century and moved into Europe in the nineteenth century. A large body of research has been concentrated in the United States and European markets to understand phenomena relating to such activities in developed countries. M&A activities have also transcended into developing countries. Over the past few years M&A transactions have become a critical gateway for investment in Africa for both local and universal market players. The aim of the study is to understand the employees’ state of mind in the workplace after the merger. The results of the study show that employee morale prior to the merger was higher when compared to post the merger, which implies that employee morale has declined post the merger. The results indicate that after the merger there was a significant decrease in trust, motivation, employee well-being and job satisfaction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Belle, Isabel
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Employees health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Beverage industry -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49751 , vital:41796
- Description: Globalisation, technological advancement and currency regulations are key motivators for companies to invest in foreign countries. As new entrants enter the market companies are faced with the threat of market share loss due to increased competition. The increase in the global competitive landscape has a direct impact on the rise of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). The growth potential of companies that experienced mergers has resulted in the boom of M&A over the past three decades. In most cases M&A have resulted in job losses and in some demotions. It is no surprise that these transactions result in an anxious and stressed workforce. The merger of the three soft drink bottlers in South Africa namely: CCF, Shanduka and ABI has brought about changes that have left some employees feeling anxious about the future. The combining of different cultures from the different entities can have a negative effect on employees as they would need to adapt to a different culture of the new formed entity. M&A were first introduced in the United States during the eighteenth century and moved into Europe in the nineteenth century. A large body of research has been concentrated in the United States and European markets to understand phenomena relating to such activities in developed countries. M&A activities have also transcended into developing countries. Over the past few years M&A transactions have become a critical gateway for investment in Africa for both local and universal market players. The aim of the study is to understand the employees’ state of mind in the workplace after the merger. The results of the study show that employee morale prior to the merger was higher when compared to post the merger, which implies that employee morale has declined post the merger. The results indicate that after the merger there was a significant decrease in trust, motivation, employee well-being and job satisfaction.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Improving the service quality of a civil consulting engineering firm through benchmarking
- Authors: Bellingan, Werner
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Performance -- Measurement , Quality assurance -- Measurement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8746 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/743 , Performance -- Measurement , Quality assurance -- Measurement
- Description: The civil engineering industry in South Africa has seen a steady decline in the number of professionals during the last few decades, however it is expected that the government and private sectors are to spend over R200 billion on infrastructure in the next few years. This increases the demand on civil consulting engineering firms to achieve greater productivity, with reduced time and human resources, which has had a profound effect on the quality of service delivered to clients. These firms need to gain a competitive advantage by consistently providing Service Excellence, which is superior to their competitors. One way of achieving this is by benchmarking firms against their competitors. In this research paper the Service Quality and Service Recovery procedures of Company X in Port Elizabeth were benchmarked against its competitors using a customised form of the recognised SERVQUAL research instrument - the SERVPERF questionnaire. The results proved to be invaluable because the survey revealed insightful information which can be used to their strategic benefit. Civil consulting engineering firms need to be aware that Service Excellence is an imperative in the service industry, but do not necessarily have to be perfect. Firms simply need to outperform their competitors to be rated as market leaders. Strategies to improve the Service Quality and Service Recovery of the firm under review are suggested and this work concludes with suggestions for future research projects, which may be beneficial to the researcher, the civil engineering industry and the economy of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Bellingan, Werner
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Performance -- Measurement , Quality assurance -- Measurement
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8746 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/743 , Performance -- Measurement , Quality assurance -- Measurement
- Description: The civil engineering industry in South Africa has seen a steady decline in the number of professionals during the last few decades, however it is expected that the government and private sectors are to spend over R200 billion on infrastructure in the next few years. This increases the demand on civil consulting engineering firms to achieve greater productivity, with reduced time and human resources, which has had a profound effect on the quality of service delivered to clients. These firms need to gain a competitive advantage by consistently providing Service Excellence, which is superior to their competitors. One way of achieving this is by benchmarking firms against their competitors. In this research paper the Service Quality and Service Recovery procedures of Company X in Port Elizabeth were benchmarked against its competitors using a customised form of the recognised SERVQUAL research instrument - the SERVPERF questionnaire. The results proved to be invaluable because the survey revealed insightful information which can be used to their strategic benefit. Civil consulting engineering firms need to be aware that Service Excellence is an imperative in the service industry, but do not necessarily have to be perfect. Firms simply need to outperform their competitors to be rated as market leaders. Strategies to improve the Service Quality and Service Recovery of the firm under review are suggested and this work concludes with suggestions for future research projects, which may be beneficial to the researcher, the civil engineering industry and the economy of South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Evaluation of supervisor performance at Transnet port terminals
- Authors: Ben-Mazwi, Amanda
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Supervision of employees , Personnel management , Performance standards
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021200
- Description: The study is about evaluating supervisor performance at Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) and the impact it has in the business world in general. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of supervisors at Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) in the Eastern Cape. The sample size of 43 supervisors working at TPT from different departments like operations, planning, key accounts and procurement participated in the study. The sampled supervisors are between the ages of 20 and 59 years and was composed of females and predominantly males. The data was gathered through a questionnaire that was designed particularly to address the lack of quality of supervisory support at TPT. The response from respondents were tied to themes that were constructed, which are: (a) organisational goals; vision and management competencies; (b) communication; (c) performance cycle-setting of goals; (d) supervisor/supervisee performance conversation; and (e) supervisory development programme. The literature gathered and deliberated on in the literature review emanate from different authors in the form of books, journals and treatises. The empirical results were linked to theories gathered from different authors. Research findings were used to curb the issues identified, which will be beneficial to both TPT and its employees. The recommendations were submitted to the company to look at developing an in-house supervisory programme, capacity building internally and creating platforms for effective communication.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Ben-Mazwi, Amanda
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Supervision of employees , Personnel management , Performance standards
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8935 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021200
- Description: The study is about evaluating supervisor performance at Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) and the impact it has in the business world in general. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of supervisors at Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) in the Eastern Cape. The sample size of 43 supervisors working at TPT from different departments like operations, planning, key accounts and procurement participated in the study. The sampled supervisors are between the ages of 20 and 59 years and was composed of females and predominantly males. The data was gathered through a questionnaire that was designed particularly to address the lack of quality of supervisory support at TPT. The response from respondents were tied to themes that were constructed, which are: (a) organisational goals; vision and management competencies; (b) communication; (c) performance cycle-setting of goals; (d) supervisor/supervisee performance conversation; and (e) supervisory development programme. The literature gathered and deliberated on in the literature review emanate from different authors in the form of books, journals and treatises. The empirical results were linked to theories gathered from different authors. Research findings were used to curb the issues identified, which will be beneficial to both TPT and its employees. The recommendations were submitted to the company to look at developing an in-house supervisory programme, capacity building internally and creating platforms for effective communication.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
Leading strategic change: driving the transformation in the provision of legal services to the Eastern Cape Provincial government
- Authors: Beningfield, Perry Guy
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Politics and government Legal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Organizational change Strategic planning Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:755 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003876
- Description: Effective change leadership is important to any organisation undergoing fundamental transformation. In particular, the ability of senior public sector leaders to successfully drive strategic change is crucial to meeting the developmental and service delivery challenges faced by the Province of the Eastern Cape in ensuring the effective, efficient and innovative government demanded by all its various stakeholders. The creation on 3 October of a Shared Legal Service situated in the Office of the Premier provided a unique opportunity to examine the leadership of this change initiative in the context of the organisational culture that existed in the provincial public service. This thesis consequently probes the phenomenon of effective change leadership by means of an examination of the understandings of the three change agents involved in driving the transformation of the provision of legal advisory services to the provincial administration and its constituent departments. The picture which emerges from the insights of the participants is one that casts a shadow over the validity of the contemporary theory of transformational leadership. Furthermore, the research conducted has identified the need to view the nature of effective change leadership through a more nuanced, situation-specific lens: one that appreciates the role of relationships and emotions, and that recognises the importance of culture and its impact on the success of organisational transformation. The case study of the Shared Legal Service change initiative provides useful insights into the many and varied challenges faced by public sector leaders in driving strategic transformation in the provincial administration. It offers an example of successful change leadership and demonstrates the need for change agents within the public service to harness more emotionally resonant and relational forms of leadership if they are to soar to new heights in meeting the service delivery expectations of all who look to provincial government to deliver the fruits of democracy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Beningfield, Perry Guy
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Eastern Cape (South Africa) -- Politics and government Legal services -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Organizational change Strategic planning Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:755 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003876
- Description: Effective change leadership is important to any organisation undergoing fundamental transformation. In particular, the ability of senior public sector leaders to successfully drive strategic change is crucial to meeting the developmental and service delivery challenges faced by the Province of the Eastern Cape in ensuring the effective, efficient and innovative government demanded by all its various stakeholders. The creation on 3 October of a Shared Legal Service situated in the Office of the Premier provided a unique opportunity to examine the leadership of this change initiative in the context of the organisational culture that existed in the provincial public service. This thesis consequently probes the phenomenon of effective change leadership by means of an examination of the understandings of the three change agents involved in driving the transformation of the provision of legal advisory services to the provincial administration and its constituent departments. The picture which emerges from the insights of the participants is one that casts a shadow over the validity of the contemporary theory of transformational leadership. Furthermore, the research conducted has identified the need to view the nature of effective change leadership through a more nuanced, situation-specific lens: one that appreciates the role of relationships and emotions, and that recognises the importance of culture and its impact on the success of organisational transformation. The case study of the Shared Legal Service change initiative provides useful insights into the many and varied challenges faced by public sector leaders in driving strategic transformation in the provincial administration. It offers an example of successful change leadership and demonstrates the need for change agents within the public service to harness more emotionally resonant and relational forms of leadership if they are to soar to new heights in meeting the service delivery expectations of all who look to provincial government to deliver the fruits of democracy.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
The feasibility of starting a dating company in South Africa
- Bezuidenhout, Jacques Du Mont
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Jacques Du Mont
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Online dating -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8686 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1114 , Online dating -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of the research is to determine the feasibility of starting a dating company, which focuses specifically on the South African market. Further sub problems were defined as follow: • Which South Africans would use a dating service, that is, who will be the main customers? • Is there specifically identifiable information that can help to recognise customers? Or can a profile be created for to identify customers? • How much are the customers willing to pay? • Does or can technology play a role in in courtship? The role of technology was investigated, in which it was found that globalisation affects everyone. One of the core factors that caused many other technologies to evolve from it, is the Internet. The intranet was a natural evolution from the Internet, which is normally specific to a company. A further literature survey was conducted to gain an understanding of dating companies globally and locally, to gain an understanding of the subject, which was used to create a questionnaire. The questionnaire reached a 120 participants, with 52 participants responding, which relates to a response rate of 43.3 percent. The questionnaire produces 37 variables, which were correlated, and as a result it was recommended that it is feasible to start a dating company in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Bezuidenhout, Jacques Du Mont
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Online dating -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8686 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1114 , Online dating -- South Africa
- Description: The purpose of the research is to determine the feasibility of starting a dating company, which focuses specifically on the South African market. Further sub problems were defined as follow: • Which South Africans would use a dating service, that is, who will be the main customers? • Is there specifically identifiable information that can help to recognise customers? Or can a profile be created for to identify customers? • How much are the customers willing to pay? • Does or can technology play a role in in courtship? The role of technology was investigated, in which it was found that globalisation affects everyone. One of the core factors that caused many other technologies to evolve from it, is the Internet. The intranet was a natural evolution from the Internet, which is normally specific to a company. A further literature survey was conducted to gain an understanding of dating companies globally and locally, to gain an understanding of the subject, which was used to create a questionnaire. The questionnaire reached a 120 participants, with 52 participants responding, which relates to a response rate of 43.3 percent. The questionnaire produces 37 variables, which were correlated, and as a result it was recommended that it is feasible to start a dating company in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
The impact of multi-skilling training on the paintshop production environment and its employees at Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA)
- Authors: Bhika, Chandrika
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Employees -- Training of , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10852 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/130 , Employees -- Training of , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Global competition and rapid technological change have been the driving forces for a more flexible and competent workforce. Continuous employee training assists organisations to achieve their goals by adding value to their key resources, the human factor. The demand for a more qualified workforce becomes a strategic force in the effort to raise competitiveness. Providing, obtaining and improving the necessary skills are important in responding to a rapidly changing international economy. Life-long learning and continuous skills development are the new requirements imposed by our knowledgeintensive society. The overall purpose of the research was to determine the impact of multi-skilling training (MST) on the paintshop production environment and its employees at Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA). The objectives of this research were to: Identify the elements of multi-skilling training and guidelines for its development and implementation; Critically evaluate the current system; Determine the impact of multi-skilling training on the production environment in the paint shop at VWSA The research methodology for this study comprised the following steps: Firstly, the development and implementation of MST at Volkswagen South Africa was assessed. The elements of MST and its impact on production and the employee worldwide were determined through the literature study. Secondly, the limitations of the current MST system used in the paintshop at Volkswagen South Africa were assessed in an empirical study, which involved completing of questionnaires. The empirical study proved that the current MST system employed in the paintshop at Volkswagen South Africa had assisted in improving production, and increasing the employees’ morale. The final step of this study entailed the formulation of recommendations, which are as follows: · Sufficient time should be allocated for practical training. · Frequent job rotation must be implement ed. · Advanced MST must be implemented after completion of Level Four. · MST should be presented in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Bhika, Chandrika
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Employees -- Training of , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10852 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/130 , Employees -- Training of , Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Global competition and rapid technological change have been the driving forces for a more flexible and competent workforce. Continuous employee training assists organisations to achieve their goals by adding value to their key resources, the human factor. The demand for a more qualified workforce becomes a strategic force in the effort to raise competitiveness. Providing, obtaining and improving the necessary skills are important in responding to a rapidly changing international economy. Life-long learning and continuous skills development are the new requirements imposed by our knowledgeintensive society. The overall purpose of the research was to determine the impact of multi-skilling training (MST) on the paintshop production environment and its employees at Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA). The objectives of this research were to: Identify the elements of multi-skilling training and guidelines for its development and implementation; Critically evaluate the current system; Determine the impact of multi-skilling training on the production environment in the paint shop at VWSA The research methodology for this study comprised the following steps: Firstly, the development and implementation of MST at Volkswagen South Africa was assessed. The elements of MST and its impact on production and the employee worldwide were determined through the literature study. Secondly, the limitations of the current MST system used in the paintshop at Volkswagen South Africa were assessed in an empirical study, which involved completing of questionnaires. The empirical study proved that the current MST system employed in the paintshop at Volkswagen South Africa had assisted in improving production, and increasing the employees’ morale. The final step of this study entailed the formulation of recommendations, which are as follows: · Sufficient time should be allocated for practical training. · Frequent job rotation must be implement ed. · Advanced MST must be implemented after completion of Level Four. · MST should be presented in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
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
The antecedents of customer satisfaction in a financial institution : a qualitative study
- Authors: Bleske, Adrian
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Standard Bank Properties , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa , Financial services industry -- South Africa , Bank management -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- Effect of marketing on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015482
- Description: The following is a case study report on the Cape Town business unit of Standard Bank Properties. The research project falls within the ambit of services marketing which introduces several unique management challenges for service businesses that sell services as a core offering. The principal aim of the case study is to gain an understanding of why customers bank at the business unit and to discover what aspects are critical to customer satisfaction. A further goal of the research is to examine how the business unit could improve customer satisfaction and to highlight any impediments to further improving customer satisfaction at the business unit. It is generally regarded that quality customer service is essential to building customer relationships and hence the research project emphasis on services marketing and customer satisfaction within a financial services context. The paper commences with an overview of the South African Banking Sector and its unique challenges such as the Financial Service Charter and newly introduced legislation such as Financial Intelligence Centre Act. The case study will specifically investigate the property finance industry and a detailed analysis of the business unit's operations and process flow will also be undertaken. The reason for this background information is to assist the reader to understand how the business unit operates. The research project will investigate four unique differences between goods marketing and services marketing whereafter three theoretical propositions are introduced, namely the dyadic interaction and service encounter, the Service Profit Chain and finally Relationship Marketing. Evidence in the form of a narrative will be led from insights obtained from interviews conducted with customers and staff at the business unit against these propositions with support (or otherwise) from independent surveys and documents from the business unit. The result of this analysis is the identification of several areas of concern specifically: New employees and the service encounter, Problems with FICA, Lack of a customer complaint handling system, Empowerment issues, Turnaround times, Reliance on key staff These insights together with the evidence from the literature review will be analysed and several recommendations made to improve customer service and ultimately customer satisfaction at the business unit. Several recommendations for further research are offered as well as the identification of limitations including but not limited to the specificity of the case study report.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Bleske, Adrian
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Standard Bank Properties , Banks and banking -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- South Africa , Financial services industry -- South Africa , Bank management -- South Africa , Banks and banking -- Customer services -- Effect of marketing on
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:840 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015482
- Description: The following is a case study report on the Cape Town business unit of Standard Bank Properties. The research project falls within the ambit of services marketing which introduces several unique management challenges for service businesses that sell services as a core offering. The principal aim of the case study is to gain an understanding of why customers bank at the business unit and to discover what aspects are critical to customer satisfaction. A further goal of the research is to examine how the business unit could improve customer satisfaction and to highlight any impediments to further improving customer satisfaction at the business unit. It is generally regarded that quality customer service is essential to building customer relationships and hence the research project emphasis on services marketing and customer satisfaction within a financial services context. The paper commences with an overview of the South African Banking Sector and its unique challenges such as the Financial Service Charter and newly introduced legislation such as Financial Intelligence Centre Act. The case study will specifically investigate the property finance industry and a detailed analysis of the business unit's operations and process flow will also be undertaken. The reason for this background information is to assist the reader to understand how the business unit operates. The research project will investigate four unique differences between goods marketing and services marketing whereafter three theoretical propositions are introduced, namely the dyadic interaction and service encounter, the Service Profit Chain and finally Relationship Marketing. Evidence in the form of a narrative will be led from insights obtained from interviews conducted with customers and staff at the business unit against these propositions with support (or otherwise) from independent surveys and documents from the business unit. The result of this analysis is the identification of several areas of concern specifically: New employees and the service encounter, Problems with FICA, Lack of a customer complaint handling system, Empowerment issues, Turnaround times, Reliance on key staff These insights together with the evidence from the literature review will be analysed and several recommendations made to improve customer service and ultimately customer satisfaction at the business unit. Several recommendations for further research are offered as well as the identification of limitations including but not limited to the specificity of the case study report.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008