Apesar de amplamente abordada em diversas publicações (artigos, revistas, livros etc.), a estruturação do trabalho de elaboração de um plano estratégico de TI constitui-se em um desafio para as organizações, em especial para aquelas em que a cultura do planejamento estratégico é incipiente. A produção de um material consolidado, que sirva de referência para orientar a superação desse desafio e promover o conhecimento sobre as questões a considerar para a geração de valor para o negócio, motivou a realização do presente trabalho. / TCCP (MBA em Governança e Melhores Práticas da TI ) - Instituto INFNET, Escola Superior da Tecnologia da Informação, Rio de Janeiro, 2011. / Bibliografia: p. 85

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology. / The paradigm shift from administrative to strategic Human Resource Management (HRM) has, arguably, necessitated the need for a more objective and quantitative HRM that shows how HRM interlinks with strategic organisational outcomes. Consequently, HR metrics, measurements and analytics can be tools, which can give HRM a status and position that is similar to other functional departments in organisations that provide numerical data. The purpose of this study was to explore HRM factors that are critical to determine strategic HR metrics. The purpose arose owing to documented scholarship, which argues that the current regime of HR metrics has no appeal to top management; is composed of too many metrics that are confusing; is suitable for traditional HRM; and does not give HRM a strategic status. The objective of the study was, therefore, to provide HR factors that link with strategic or organisational level outcomes and based on these factors, determine a metric that HR practitioners and top management can adopt as standard. The literature review had to be merged in a systems theory framework to develop the conceptual framework to start a grounded theory methodology. Within this methodology both secondary and primary data was collected and analysed. As part of its summary, the literature review included a meta study of prominent research on the HRM-firm performance relationship. The mini meta-analysis involved 27 studies whose mean coefficient of determination was calculated to show the strength of the variability in firm performance for which HRM accounted. This analysis revealed that HRM, on average, accounted for 31% of the variability in firm performance in the models that were used to investigate the relationship. An analysis was conducted of documents as part of a content analysis to collect secondary data, while questionnaires were used to collect primary data. The key finding was that the strategic HR factors are the HRM outcomes, namely employee engagement, commitment, satisfaction and embeddedness, while the HR metric that connects the HR factors and strategic outcomes is given as p=kH+c, where p is organisational performance, H are the HR factors, k is a constant of proportionality, and c is basic employee performance. It was also found that employee engagement had the most impact on organisational performance, relative to the other HR factors. As a result, the key recommendation made in this study is that organisations should use employee commitment, engagement, satisfaction and embeddedness to boost performance with special attention on employee engagement. The metric p=kH+c can be used to measure the level at which HR factors boost performance.

Thesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / The global business environment has for a number of years been changing progressively faster and as a result, organisations are concentrating on becoming more agile to survive the contemporary business environment. The educational institutions are un-spared from the fast, progressive change. This change is making it difficult for educational institutions to cope with the competitive environment, thereby affecting business agility and the implementation of Business Process Management (BPM). This study seeks to explore what factors are affecting the agility and implementation of Business Process Management at a Further Education and Training (FET) college. The researcher of this dissertation’s view of the world or ontology is that of subjectivism. The research design utilises an interpretivist approach with a qualitative paradigm orientation. Additionally, the study adopts an inductive approach or argument which upholds that true statements, one after the other, can lead to a probable accurate conclusion or theory. This research uses a case study where data is gathered from key management staff and IT experts at the FET College (FETC), using semi-structured questionnaires by means of interviews. An overview of the findings indicates a lack of resources, lack of conduciveness to the teaching and learning environment, lack of collaboration, outdated curriculum, and resistance to change as factors impeding the FETC’s ability to respond to the competitive environment and implementation of Business Process Management. The lack of capabilities, incorrect risk management, culture of change as well as non-alignment of business processes (BPs) with the vision of the FETC, are factors preventing the College from being more agile and creating value for its clients. Furthermore, there is a high misuse of the registration and bursary processes by students. To conclude, the FETC needs to find alternative means besides the main source—government—to source resources. The FETC needs to be more agile and flexible in order to retain clients and remain sustainable in the industry. Furthermore, the FETC needs to improve on its business processes (BPs) and physical security. It is recommended that the FETC manages the correct risks in order to change and remain competitive in the industry. The FET environment necessitates interconnected registration and bursary processes to optimise the use of resources. The registration processes need to be re-engineered in order to facilitate early registration. Security needs to be improved and effective strategic management put in place.

Thesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / The thesis aimed at exploring the role Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems play in an organization’s continuous auditing practices. Continuous auditing encourages innovation and improves the practice of traditional auditing through the use of automation and computerisation. Auditing specialists and researchers have begun to adopt a technology driven process as an approach to back up real time assurance. The rationale of the study is drawn from previous research where the findings argue that organizations employ the use of ERP systems because it enables seamless access to information and automation, which makes monitoring of controls easier. The study used Structuration Theory (ST) as the underpinning theory and drew on the concept of duality of technology (i.e., Enactment of Technology-in-Practice) as a lens to comprehend and deduced the social phenomenon of continuous auditing using ERP system. This research study investigated this social phenomenon and how it had influenced performance auditing of an organization. The study applied interpretivism as a research paradigm and as such adopted a qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews were used to tease out the research objectives and questions. The outcome of the research validated a conceptual framework which has led to a proposed general framework for practicing continuous auditing using ERP system. All interviews data collected and accurately captured with informed consent were subject to the approval of the selected organization. This was not to violate the organization’s privacy and confidentiality policies. It did not reveal any information that could potentially adversely affect the reputation of the organization or reveal private information to its competitors.

The theme of this work is to present quality standards in a chosen company, which is producing and selling non-alcoholic drinks. The following practical part has two tasks to solve. First, to prepare documentation of HACCP plan for implementation a new product, second to try to remove defect in comparison with BRC standard. Defects are : 1. missing specification forms for private labels 2. missing measuring form of customers satisfaction

Este estudo trata de decisões de investimento em capital produtivo no âmbito de empresas algodoeiras, empresas cujo processo produtivo é a preparação do algodão em estado bruto para a indústria têxtil, assim como a limpeza de sementes para a indústria de refinamento de óleo vegetal. Havendo passado por uma crise estrutural em seu ambiente de competição, a cotonicultura brasileira, voltou a se destacar mundialmente na primeira década dos anos 2000 com um produto de alto padrão de qualidade e marcado por elevados níveis de exportação. Entretanto, esse movimento não vem sendo homogêneo em todo o País. Tendo em vista esse fenômeno, este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar e discutir características referentes às decisões de investimento de capital por parte de um grupo não aleatório de gestores de empresas algodoeiras. Partindo-se de uma abordagem qualitativa e exploratória sobre os dados levantados, aplicou-se a análise de conversação, uma forma de análise de conteúdo. Esse método permitiu identificar particularidades de cada unidade investigada, possibilitando a realização de inferências quanto a razões, causas ou comportamentos com base em respostas extraídas de questionários abertos. Os resultados dessa pesquisa apontam para um enfoque gerencial menos voltado à tentativa de assegurar posições futuras para a empresa, e sim para a tentativa de se garantir resultados operacionais satisfatórios no curto prazo. Assim, a gestão das empresas pesquisadas parece estar mais suscetível às incertezas do ambiente em que atuam, já que não há uma visualização mais ampla acerca das possibilidades que investimentos possam trazer à empresa. A ênfase gerencial em dados que tratam do ônus financeiro na decisão de investimento pode explicar em parte o perfil mais adaptativo do planejamento evidenciado na maior parte dessas empresas, isto é, os gastos relativos às operações podem estar regendo o comportamento quanto ao gerenciamento de ativos, estando mais presentes na mente dos gestores do que as possibilidades de ganhos a partir de novos investimentos. Há a presença latente de aspectos comportamentais nas decisões de investimento por parte dos gestores entrevistados. A principal limitação dessa pesquisa é representada pela conveniência na seleção das empresas pesquisadas assim como seu reduzido número, de modo que não se torna possível a generalização dos resultados ao universo investigado. Em futuros trabalhos, recomenda-se abordar variáveis que representam riscos ou incertezas para o empresário ou gestor no setor. Especula-se que, os métodos reconhecidos no âmbito da gestão de riscos podem contribuir positivamente para uma melhor tomada de decisão, abrindo caminho para maior utilização de técnicas mais sofisticadas de orçamento de capital por parte dos gestores. / This thesis investigates capital equipment analysis and investment projects in cotton gins, raw cotton and oil seed processing units. The Brazilian cotton industry passed through a crisis in competitiveness during the 1980s and 1990s, however, more recently, it has regained international reputation with a high quality product reaching high export levels as well. Considering that this movement has been witnessed only in specific regions or states, other than traditional growing areas, this study seeks to identify and discuss capital investment decision characteristics of a chosen group of managers of cotton gins. A qualitative and exploratory approach toward the data was applied with the use of the conversation analysis method, a type of content analysis. This method permitted not only the identification of particularities of each business unit under investigation but also inferences concerning reasons, causes and behaviors based on answers extracted from open questionnaires. The results of this research reveal a managerial focus toward an attempt of guaranteeing satisfactory operational results on the short run instead of purposeful actions aligned with desirable future positions for the businesses. In this way the businesses investigated seem to be more susceptible to environmental uncertainties in which they operate, once there isnt a broader visualization of the possibilities that investments may bring to them. The emphatic managerial consideration of financial burden in the investment decision might explain in part the more adaptive characteristic of the planning task shown in most of the businesses under research. Thus, operational costs may be influencing managerial behavior in capital equipment assessment, being more present in the mind of managers than the possibilities of gain from new investments. There is a strong presence of behavioral aspects in investment decision-making by the managers interviewed. A main limitation of this research has to do with the convenience in the selection of the businesses investigated, as well as the non representative sample of a major universe of cotton gin units. In later works, it may be considered an investigation of the risk and uncertainty variables from managers or entrepreneurs perspective. It is hypothesized that some of the well known methods of risk management might positively contribute to the capital equipment assessment, allowing a more intense use of capital budgeting techniques by managers and entrepreneurs.

M. Ing. / Undoubtedly, forecasting accuracy presents many advantages to a business, but the opposite is also true for forecasting inaccuracy. This paper is intended to outline the effects of forecasting accuracy on business planning while also investigating factors that affect it. The role of the human element in this regard is also discussed in the report. The study is qualitative in nature with an exploratory approach. A survey and focus group interviews / discussions were conducted so as to achieve the aim of the project. The information obtained from these two methods was used to explore the research questions which in turn were designed to identify the impact of forecasting accuracy and factors that affect this accuracy. The findings of the study indicate that the effect of forecasting accuracy is more significant than commonly perceived. The findings also outline the important factors affecting forecasting accuracy. The basis of this argument is that most of the factors that affect forecasting accuracy can be controlled and are centered on people. Therefore, in order for companies to survive, they must begin improving v their forecasting process and paying more attention to the human element of this process.

The fresh hake processing lines at Seavuna fishing company in Mossel Bay are not consistently achieving their volume output standards and this is resulting in higher processing costs and loss of processing opportunities. The company’s senior management are concerned about this trend and require a complete review of the effectiveness of the resources deployed on the lines. This with the view of establishing the causes of poor process volume output. In order to resolve the process inefficiency challenges mentioned, this study used both empirical and time studies to investigate the effectiveness of the company’s resources directly deployed in the processing unit. The study focused on investigating the human factor, machinery and equipment, the environment and the current efficiency standards. Relevant literature in the field of process efficiency improvement was consulted to assist in identifying factors that are known to cause process inefficiencies, and also to establish which improvement techniques would be relevant in correcting the situation. From the Literature reviewed, it was evident that a ‘one size fits all’ solution to resolving inefficiencies is almost non-existent and that a solution that is relevant to the problem is more effective. In addition, a benchmarking exercise was also done to establish how Seavuna’s current volume output standards fair against its major rivals. Once data from both studies were collected, the results were analysed using the some of the basic quality tools. Thereafter, lean manufacturing principles were used to attempt to resolve the current efficiency challenges. The study recommended that the company construct a business strategy and a corresponding organisational culture to direct its continuous improvement interventions. The use of strategic quality planning would go a long way in assisting the company to execute some of the interventions recommended.

M.Comm. / In a changing world, adaptation is essential to survival. This holds particularly true for businesses in view of the increasing responsibility entailed upon their management by the globalisation of trade and technology. Planning for the future is crucial, and proper planning methods must be implemented to meet challenges successfully. One of the most important planning methods is the Business Plan, which can be used according to the particular needs and objectives of a business. In South Africa, the requirements of the Government's Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) have made it necessary for companies to plan better than ever before - especially in terms of the major RDP objective of making affordable housing available to all the country's citizens. This study is an investigation into the development and implementation of a framework for a Business Plan for SouthNet Projects, a property development company whose objective is to provide housing at the so-called lower end of the market. The chief aims of this study have been to: determine whether the Business Plan of SouthNet Projects meets all the requirements for drawing venture capital into the business; develop a framework for a Business Plan that can be utilised for measuring the content and standard of an overall or comprehensive Business Plan so that improvements can be effected where necessary. The methodology involved a comparative study in which Business Planning, as reflected in eight authors/institutions, was analysed. This analysis was used for drawing up a framework according to which the Business Plan of S?uthNet Projects could be measured. It was found that the existing Business Plan was indeed a sound one in that it: generally measured up to required standards; addressed all the essential aspects; was drafted by professionals thoroughly acquainted with the industry. However, certain shortcomings - inter alia the following - were identified: A "standard" (overall or comprehensive) Business Plan was lacking. Some aspects recurred repeatedly under different headings, a problem that could be remedied by grouping related topics (marketing, for instance) under the same heading ("Marketing). The executive summary needed to be remoulded to ensure that the readers' attention would immediately be caught. It is recommended that, although the variedness of the nature and purpose of industries makes it difficult to formulate a standard Business Plan, the framework developed should be integrated with other business plans as far as possible in an attempt to approach the ideal of a standard plan.

PhD. (Computer Science) / Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are implemented within organisations to enable them to work more efficiently and enhance productivity. They also ensure that different levels of information are available to managers within the organisation for strategic and tactical decision-making. The implementation of ERP systems is often associated with great costs, they are resource intensive and cover the whole organisation. The implementation of ERP systems is perceived as a project that often fails owing to overrun on cost and time. The return on investment (ROI) is also often questioned once an ERP system has been implemented, since the organisation does not always see the benefits of the ERP system versus the effort and cost of implementing it. The purpose of this thesis is twofold: firstly it determines what an ERP system is and whether it can be subdivided into different components. The focus of this section is on the operational side of an ERP system to determine how it is managed and operated within an organisation. The second focus is on the way that ERP systems are implemented and the management that goes hand in hand with this implementation. The first focus area is addressed by developing a model that explains ERP and the different components within it. It describes the interactions between the different components and how the ERP system affects the organisation. This model provides a better understanding of an ERP system and shows the technology to be mature. The second focus area is addressed by a framework that assists organisations in deriving projects from the organisational vision. This ensures that the implementation of an ERP system will directly support the organisation’s vision and strategies. This addresses the issue of determining the value of the ERP system as well as ROI. The framework also provides alternative ways and methods that can be used to implement ERP systems. The value of this research is firstly that it provides a holistic model of what constitutes an ERP system and its effect on the organisation. ERP systems change not only the financial systems, but also the way the organisation operates. They introduce organisational change. The value of the framework is that it can assist organisations in identifying and implementing projects that will enable the implementation of the organisation’s vision and strategies. This will eliminate any favoured projects that are not in support of the organisation’s vision and can save the organisation’s scarce resources that would have been wasted on these projects. The framework can also assist organisations in determining if they must implement an ERP system and what value this implementation will have for the organisation.