As empresas enfrentam hoje um ambiente complexo e altamente competitivo, com os consumidores cada vez mais exigentes e os ciclos de vida dos produtos cada vez menores. Para reagir a estas forças, são necessárias mudanças radicais nas organizações, de forma a tornarem as empresas mais competitivas. Entretanto, os recursos e competências para que isto ocorra são frequentemente difíceis de serem obtidos por uma única empresa. Neste contexto, para se manterem competitivas, as empresas buscaram juntar esforços para conseguirem uma maior coordenação e colaboração entre os parceiros na cadeia de suprimentos em uma abordagem chamada Gerenciamento da Cadeia de Suprimentos (Supply Chain Management). Na literatura estudada, enquanto vários autores afirmaram que uma maior integração entre as empresas participantes de uma cadeia resulta em melhores desempenhos para estas empresas, outros mostraram que os benefícios dessa integração não puderam ser confirmados. Por outro lado, alguns autores afirmaram que os benefícios deveriam ocorrer por toda a cadeia e não apenas para algumas empresas participantes. Neste contexto, torna-se claro a importância da mensuração do desempenho, tanto das empresas como das cadeias as quais elas pertencem, e também relacioná-lo com o nível de integração da cadeia. Assim, este presente trabalho estudou a relação entre a integração da cadeia de suprimentos e o desempenho, tanto das empresas isoladamente quanto da cadeia como um todo, de empresas nacionais de grande porte. O presente estudo é do tipo quantitativo e descritivo, utilizando o método de levantamento (survey) transversal auto-administrado, onde o questionário ficou disponível on line. Foram estudadas 135 empresas, de 13 setores diferentes, selecionadas por uma amostragem não-probabilística por julgamento. Os dados obtidos foram analisados de duas formas: na primeira forma foi utilizada a Análise Fatorial (para reduzir os número de variáveis) seguido pela análise por Regressão Linear (para verificar a relação entre os constructos) e na segunda forma a análise foi realizada pela técnica de Modelagem de Equações Estruturais (Structural Equation Modeling - SEM). Foram propostas três hipóteses a serem verificadas - Hipótese 1 (H1): Existe uma relação positiva entre integração da cadeia de suprimentos e desempenho organizacional individual; Hipótese 2 (H2): Existe uma relação positiva entre integração da cadeia de suprimentos e desempenho global da cadeia de suprimentos e a Hipótese 3 (H3): Existe uma relação positiva entre desempenho organizacional individual e desempenho global da cadeia de suprimentos. Como resultado final, as três hipóteses foram confirmadas, tanto pela Análise de Regressão, quanto pela Modelagem de Equações Estruturais. Também verificou-se o comportamento dos três constructos de acordo com os setores estudados. Observou-se a existência de diferença de entre os setores apenas para o constructo \"integração da cadeia de suprimentos\". Assim, os setores estudados são estatisticamente semelhantes nos constructos \"desempenho individual\" e \"desempenho da cadeia de suprimentos\". / Today, companies face a complex and highly competitive environment, with consumers increasingly more demanding and products life cycles shrinking. To fight these forces, radical changes are needed in organizations in order to make companies more competitive. However, the resources and skills for this are often difficult to obtain by a single company. In this context, to remain competitive, companies have joined efforts to achieve greater coordination and collaboration among supply chain partners in an approach called Supply Chain Management. The literature, while several authors stated that further integration among the companies of a chain results in better performance for them, others have shown that the benefits of integration could not be confirmed. On the other hand, some authors stated that the benefits should occur throughout the chain and not just for some participating companies. In this context, it is clear the importance of performance measurement, both businesses and chains which they belong, and also relate it to the level of integration of the chain. Thus, this present work studied the relationship between supply chain integration and performance, both individually and corporate chain as a whole, of large national companies. This study is quantitative and descriptive, using the method of transverse self-administered survey, that the questionnaire was available online. We studied 135 companies from 13 different sectors, selected by a non-probability sampling for trial. Data obtained were analyzed in two ways: first a Factor Analysis was used (to reduce the number of variables) followed by linear regression analysis (to check the relationship between the constructs) and the second way the analysis was performed using the technique Structural Equation Modeling - SEM. We proposed three hypotheses to be verified - Hypothesis 1 (H1): There is a positive relationship between supply chain integration of organizational and individual performance; Hypothesis 2 (H2): There is a positive relationship between supply chain integration and overall performance of the chain supply and Hypothesis 3 (H3): There is a positive relationship between individual organizational performance and global performance of the supply chain. As a final result, the three hypotheses were confirmed, both by Regression Analysis, and by Structural Equation Modeling. It was observed the behavior of the three constructs according to the sectors studied. It was observed that there are differences between sectors only for the construct \"integration of the supply chain.\" Thus, the sectors studied are statistically similar in constructs \"individual performance\" and \"supply chain performance.\"

M.Phil. / Procurement, design and construction of an engineering or building project is a process that involves the broadest range of engineering and construction skills. There are risks throughout that can lead to a strategy that cannot succeed in terms of time, cost effectiveness, quality and profitability. There are also various contracting approaches employed in both building and engineering construction projects. Each has its own advantages, disadvantages, degree of flexibility, incentives and allocation of risks. A risk profile leads to important aspects considered in selecting a suitable contracting strategy for a construction project. The risk considered includes among others the design and functionality, variations, errors and/or omissions, budget overruns, price fluctuations, project timing, change in quantities, design and construction defects, etc (Morton and Jagger, 1995). In South Africa's tradition, the responsibilities of design and construction of projects have been separated, where the contractors undertake to provide the works in accordance with employer's and/or employer's agent's design and specifications. Disadvantages of this strategy include among others the fact that the design and specifications may not suit the construction process in terms of time cost savings. More than often this approach results in an adversarial relationship between the professional team and the contractor, and between professional team members. Globally, especially in developed countries, projects were executed using design and build strategy (Construction world, April 2006). This is an arrangement whereby the contractor assumes the responsibility of producing the design and the works. Recently the construction industry has been experiencing an unprecedented high level of economic growth both locally and in the global arena. In an attempt by construction stakeholders to redefine the approach to contracting to facilitate delivery, partnering evolved to bring all parties together to form common goals, to integrate design and construction into a collaborative working by involving contractors at an earlier stage, to set up mechanisms to resolve disputes and to share the risk and rewards of projects (Gould and Joyce, 2003).

The topic of this dissertation is the alliances of a regional power. The framework used to explain this central aspect of International Relations is the realist one, and particularly the work of the Classical Realist Arnold Wolfers. The regional, state and domestic dimension are integrated in order to provide an “updated realist” interpretation of alliances, why states form them, maintain them or break them. This dissertation seeks to recover the concept of state's goals that was central to Classical Realism and then “abandoned” when Neorealism became the dominant Realist paradigm. The case studies used in this research is Syria during the 1970-1989 phase and particularly five pivotal relations: the Egypt 1973 war alliance, the 1978 failed détente with Iraq, the 1979 Damascus-Tehran alliance, the regional client-superpower alliance with the USSR and finally the relation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By analysing Syria's foreign policy and particularly these five relations this dissertation show how a framework based on realism provides a coherent and insightful interpretation of a regional power's foreign policy.

[pt] Imaginar o mundo atual sem a presença da internet é praticamente inconcebível. Dentro da internet, o setor de portais horizontais desempenha um papel determinante, pois estes representam os endereços mais visitados e aqueles que os clientes têm maior contato. Apesar desta importância, o futuro do setor é incerto dada a ausência de modelos de negócio suficientemente eficazes para gerar lucratividade. Em conjunto com este cenário, uma nova realidade competitiva surge. O mundo empresarial não compete mais simplesmente de forma atomística, a competição acontece, cada vez mais, entre redes formadas por empresas. Nossa pesquisa buscou desvendar como funciona o ambiente competitivo do setor de portais horizontais da internet e quais são as implicações estratégicas que as redes de alianças mantidas por estas empresas têm no nível deste ambiente. / [en] To imagine the world without the presence of internet is almost impossible. Inside internet, the internet portals sector has a determinant role because they are the most visited adresses and that wich the clients have more contact. Instead of this important position, the sector future is not clear because of the absence of business models efficient enough to produce profit. Beside this scene, a new competitive reality appears. The business world doesnt compete anymore only in na atomistic way, the competition happen between companies networks. Our research tried to find out how works the competitive environment of the internet portals sector and what are the strategic implications of the network of alliances that these companies have over this environment.

Research Purpose: Customer focus has become increasing critical in order for organisations to effectively compete. Organisations operate in continuously changing environments, with dynamic customer needs requiring that organisations frequently revisit their strategic objectives. Supply chain integration provides organisations with an opportunity to keep up with these changing environments, offering a platform for collaboration with external partners. This research explores three of the customer-focused supply chain capabilities and their relationship with organisation’s operational efficiency and overall performance Research Methodology: A quantitative and descriptive correlational research approach was conducted, with a self-administered online survey questionnaire sent to selected employees of FMCG organisations. A basis of the research was formed through a literature review focused on supply chain integration, in particular on the three forward-integration capabilities of customer-closeness, use of integrative technologies, and information and knowledge sharing. The research carried out descriptive analysis and correlational testing between the forward-integrated supply chain capabilities, and operational efficiency and overall organisational performance effects. Research Findings: analysis carried out suggests that the three forward-integration capabilities contribute positively to process improvement of supply chain integration efficiency and organisational performance. Organisations should increase focus on their relationship with customers, embrace the use of technology and employ information as a strategic resource. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lmgibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Currently an overwhelming number of businesses have adopted diversification strategies and are exhibiting great success and have a prominent footprint on the global market. On the contrary, there is divergent scholarly thinking on the diversification-performance link and a wide-spread condemnation for the adoption of diversification strategies. As a result, managers of successful diversified companies are running far ahead their scholarly counterparts. Priori constructs, developed through an extensive and wide ranging literature review, focused the theory building power of the inductive case study research methodology employed. Through the lens of the emerging dynamic capabilities theory, four of the most highly successful diversified conglomerates over an extended period, were selected through the extreme case variant method, and were investigated in a longitudinal study from 1997 to 2013, to realise some of the key insights to their success. The outcomes of the research provided a rich explanation of how all five elements of dynamic capabilities are implemented in response to the increasingly dynamic environment within an entrepreneurial approach to sustain competitive advantage. The understanding of dynamic capabilities was extended through the emergence of two new themes, people and supportive structures. The findings gleaned are encapsulated within a simple framework that business practitioners can implement. In addition, the findings bring together a vast body of knowledge and provide a meaningful contribution in response to the lack empirical findings in business practice. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / pagibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

D.Phil. / The new millennium brought its own pressures to bear on organisations insofar as competitiveness and profitability is concerned. Globalisation required businesses to become more competitive through the elimination of waste, reducing costs and improving general business processes. The improvement of business processes has been around since the early 1990’s, but due to a number of factors organisations were wary of change. The major reasons were that the methodologies that were available were abused when business processes were investigated for possible improvement. Organisations utilised the available methodologies to achieve cost savings in the most obvious place, staff reductions. Before the advent of globalisation it was sufficient, but after globalisation more is expected from organisations. The security exchanges place undue pressure on organisations to perform with higher profit expectations. Customers were demanding better and cheaper products from organisations. Shareholders had higher expectations for the monies invested in an organisation. A consequence of the downsizing of organisations was that the value added by organisations was shrinking. Employees, shareholders and customers felt cheated. Business leaders were questioning the existing methods in which production were undertaken. The management of large conglomerates, multinationals and even small business was yearning for improvements. In the global economy organisations were looking to expand their market share. Many achieved it through mergers or takeovers. The organisations that were taken over were in some instances not on the same standards of performance as the parent company. Quick results were required to assure a reasonable return on investment for the parent organisation. Business leaders and consultants ran out of ideas how to achieve the return on investment required. Many of the organisations returned to the tried and trusted methodologies of improvement. The researcher was requested by ASSA ABLOY Southern Africa to assist them in achieving lean status through the implementation of recognised improvement methodologies. iii The research of the methodologies of BPR, lean production, lean techniques, Quality management six-sigma and associated methodologies were undertaken. The purpose was to determine whether the theories remained valid in the 21st century. The reason was that some of the methodologies were developed during the 1900’s and were improved upon during the 1990’s. The main thrust of the study was the need for improvements where processes were neglected for a long period of time. In instances as described, a need for radical interventions becomes necessary. The methodology of BPR was investigated to establish the relevancy of the methodology in the global environment. Even though the methodology was developed in the 1990’s it was still an authoritative methodology. The methodology delivered the necessary radical improvements that can aid an organisation in becoming more competitive. The correct application of the methodology by an organisation can produce the desired results. The study of the methodology produced clear procedures that had to be followed for the success of an improvement project. The conclusion from the study of the literature was that the methodology could be applied to ASSA ABLOY Southern Africa. To achieve it certain modifications had to be made to the methodology. As the study progressed it became apparent that the methodology of BPR will be insufficient to achieve lean status. Therefore the methodology of lean production was studied in combination with BPR. The methodology of lean production demands that an organisation eliminate waste and reduce cost. The single most important source of waste and cost is the holding of inventory. The holding of excess inventory masks the real reasons why an organisation is not performing well. It is that the organisations processes are dysfunctional. Different classes of waste were identified during the research as well as the costs that are incurred as a result. Different strategies were identified to prevent the wastes and cost to occur or at least minimise it. The lean methodology identified a number of other methodologies that could be utilised to achieve lean status. The methodologies of Kaizen, Kanban, standardisation, small batch production and many others were identified. iv The methodologies focussed on inventory, capacity, facilities and labour. The conclusion was arrived at that it was an authoritative set of methodologies. Most of the methodologies originated from Japan. It became apparent that the management of quality was very important to be competitive. Inferior quality was major contributors towards waste and cost. A number of methodologies were investigated. In some instances the research postulated the fact that a combination of the methodologies studied was better suited to the achievement of lean status. The researcher applied the methodologies to the case study of ASSA ABLOY South Africa and spectacular improvements were achieved. Even though lean status was not achieved by the organisation during 2006 and 2007 they are well on their way to do so. The only prerequisite is that ASSA ABLOY Southern Africa remains true to the methodologies and apply them diligently.

Ph.D. (Business Management) / This study is premised on the recognition that small and medium enterprises have a potential to significantly contribute to national economies through job creation, economic growth and innovation. However they have limitations with regard to resources that are required to achieve a competitive advantage, a prerequisite to survive and be successful in the globalised economy that is epitomised by intense competition. The potential that these enterprises hold can only be realised when they can compete effectively in the globalised market. The literature review conducted identified that there are a number of resources and capabilities that enterprises require to achieve a competitive advantage. There are however specific resources and capabilities that are pertinent to achieving and retaining competitive advantage under the prevailing intense competition emanating from the globalisation process. These are technology know-how, finance, human resources and leadership capabilities, the independent variables in this study. Given the resource limitations experienced by small and medium enterprises, literature reviewed further indicated that interorganisational relationships can be a source for resource gaps experienced by enterprises. In particular the relationships with large enterprises are considered to be an effective platform for accessing resources and capabilities by small and medium enterprises. However, it is recognised in literature that the identified resources and capabilities must enable small and medium enterprises to innovate, produce quality products and/or services, be efficient and effectively respond to customers if competitive advantage is to be achieved. In this study innovation, quality, efficiency and customer responsiveness were identified as mediating variables. In view of the problem identified above, that is achieving and maintaining competitive advantage in the globalised economy by small and medium enterprises, the primary objective of this study is to establish how interorganisational relationships with large enterprises influence the competitive advantage of small and medium enterprises. Competitive advantage is the dependent variable in this study and was measured in terms of cost reduction and unique and/or improved products and/or services.

This research was conducted to identify whether South African 3 star and above hotels are interested in forming alliances. The objective of this study was to group South African independent 3 star and above hotels on the alliance framework continuum, namely; cooperation, collaboration, coordination and coadunation; and to identify whether South African independent 3 star and above hotels are interested to progress from one simple form of alliance to the next complex, formal type of alliance. Hypotheses were proposed to determine the significance of the differences in preference of South African 3 star and above independent hotels. Thus, this study is descriptive in nature, to test the proposed hypotheses. An extensive investigation into the relevant literature was done. An empirical study was also conducted and the measuring instrument consisted of a selfadministered questionnaire. The population selected consisted of managers of these South African 3 star and above independent hotels. The major findings included: South African independent 3 star and above hotels seem to prefer niche personality and potential non-financial relationship, while they try to avoid economic and cultural integration with a partner firm and not interested in shared management control with the partner firm. Besides, four factors confirmed the alliance continuum developed by Bailey and Koney (2000), namely; cooperation, coordination, collaboration and coadunation. Friedman’s test indicated that there is significant difference among the different dimensions of alliance formation, namely; cooperation, collaboration, coordination and coadunation and that South African independent 3 star and above hotels are interested to form cooperation form of alliances mostly, followed by coordination form of alliances. South African independent 3 star and above hotels are neutral on whether to form collaboration type of alliances and they are not interested to involve in the coadunation form of alliances. Chi-square test indicated that there is no significant difference on the opinion of the respondents on whether the hotel they work for needs to progress from simpler form of alliances into more formal and complex format of alliances. However, those who preferred that their hotel has to progress from simpler form of alliance are higher in number than those who did not prefer. It was, inter alia, recommended that as South African 3 star and above hotels choose lower form of alliance, value chains seem the most applicable form of alliance. Hotels could share a name, reservation information and some basic IT facilities (point of sale IT reservation equipment and back office IT equipments). Finally, the study concludes by recommending that South African independent 3 star and above hotels should take alliances as an option for growth and justification of expenditures and decide the level of alliance continuum they want to engage in. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Organisations are faced with the reality of having to compete on the global market. It has therefore become critical now more than ever, for managers of these organisations to adopt strategies that will ensure competitive advantage and sustainability into the future. Knowledge has been identified as a strategic asset that can be leveraged to gain this competitive advantage. Unfortunately, the nature of organisations prevents them from having the ability to hire new individuals each time a knowledge gap is identified. Strategic alliances have identified as platforms where knowledge possessed by an alliance partner can be accessed by the other party through the process of knowledge transfer. In order for this process to be effective, both the teaching and the learning partner have to have certain organisational values that promote the transfer of knowledge. This study investigated the organisational values that promoted knowledge transfer in strategic alliances within the context of the construction industry. An additional dimension of knowledge context, i.e. whether knowledge is technical or non-technical, was also investigated to assess if it had a bearing on the organisational values required for knowledge transfer. The study also sought to establish how tensions caused by conflicting values were managed in the context of strategic alliances. The research took the form of an exploratory qualitative study where twelve managers of EPCM/construction companies were interviewed. The insights drawn from the respondents then formed the basis of the research findings. The research identified willingness to learn, willingness to teach, relationship, trust and quality focus as the top five most cited organisational values that are perceived to promote knowledge transfer in strategic alliances. The conflicting organisational values of adaptability and predictability were found to promote technical and non-technical contexts, respectively, and a model was developed on how to effectively manage tensions between alliance partners. Recommendations were then made to managers and academics. / Dissertation (MBA) --University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted