Research Report submitted to The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment University of Witwatersrand In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science April 2015 / One of the causes of projects failing to meet their budget and schedule expectations is poor contractor performance. Small-medium sized contractors in the South African construction industry are faced with challenges such as poor management of cash flows, poor access to credit, not having enough capital to drive the project from their own coffers, challenges in obtaining finance, poor planning, challenges with getting competent staff, poor administrative capabilities, lack of experience and poor education, lack of management skills in general and the influence of the client such as imposing unrealistic deadlines. The competencies of the construction project manager are imperative to achieving project success in terms of meeting budget and time expectations. The specific competency of the construction project manager for handling small-medium sized contractors in South Africa are critical analysis, judgement, resource management, engaging communication and motivation. This study explores the need for a collaborative planning framework between small medium sized contractors and the construction project manager in South Africa, to address poor technical and managerial skills of small-medium sized contractors

Thesis presented in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Management (in the field of Monitoring and Evaluation) to the Faculty of Commerce, Law, and Management, University of the Witwatersrand December 2016 / The evaluation information has a critical role in informing decision making relating to implementation of the development interventions. This study is underpinned by the fact that the worth of evaluation information is determined by the extent of its influence on decision making. It is premised from the fact that there is limited utilisation of the evaluation information for decision making in the Gauteng Department of Health. Thus, the study is aimed at establishing the underlying institutional features and evaluation characteristics that serve as facilitators and/or barriers for the use of evaluation information. Past studies are reviewed to identify the knowledge gap and develop a conceptual framework to inform the research enquiry. Based on the purpose of the study and the conceptual framework, a qualitative research strategy with interpretive case study design and a purposive sample are applied to obtain in-depth description of the factors pertaining to the use of evaluation information. In addition, three research theories are employed simultaneously to understand the subject phenomenon and inform interpretation of the research findings, based on their unique concepts. The triangulation method is applied in data collection and analysis to ensure reliability and validity of the research results, with one-on-one semi-structured interviews conducted through an interview guide. The findings reveal that there are no systematic processes and procedures for identification of the users and uses of the evaluation information prior to implementation of the evaluation process. The emphasis on alignment of the evaluations to the institutional context is minimalistic in its orientation since there is little focus on the broader development agenda. There is no demonstration of facilitating inculcation of information use during the evaluation process. In general, the evaluation systems are fragmented, with no formal reward system for encouraging effective utility. The adoption and use of the evaluation findings hinges on the type of recommendations versus the institutional development agenda and capacity. There are no formal information dissemination strategies and procedures for confirming implementation of the adopted evaluation recommendations. The role of the evaluation champions is limited and thus manifested by low awareness and application of the evaluation policy framework and limited institutionalisation of the evaluation function. Last, the findings highlight key institutional features and evaluation characteristics that influence use and/or non-use of the evaluation information, which should be considered in-line with the proposed recommendations. / MT2017

Doctoral research dissertation in the fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Marketing at the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2016 / Globally, a vision exists of an economy which produces social, environmental and economic benefits, viz-a-viz three pillars of sustainable development, for all the individuals, communities and society at large. It also focuses on the development of the sustainable use of natural resources, to achieve a greater enviable society, therefore giving rise to the green economy (Bigg 2011). To make businesses sustainable, companies are increasingly focusing on green innovation, sustainable business solutions and re-inventing their business models, and expanding to untapped markets such as the bottom of the pyramid (BOP), consisting of more than four billion potential consumers (Farinelli, Bottini, Akkoyunlu & Aerni, 2011). Most research shows growth opportunities of green products in the bottom of pyramid (Olsen & Boxenbaum, 2009), and has increasingly created deliberations all over the world. Also, companies from both developed and developing countries are becoming increasingly interested in BOP. To successfully target the BOP with ‘green’ technologies, companies focus their business models on innovation, sustainability and economic profit, instead of gross margins (Prahalad & Hart, 2008). Very limited research evidence is present that links all these concepts together. And therefore, created an interest to examine how integration of green technology bring changes in business model innovation (BMI) for sustainability at BOP markets. The linkage between concepts - BMI, BOP and green technology, to bring sustainable development, has not been sufficiently explored, and especially with focus on emerging economies like South Africa and India. Therefore, the present research has three fold purposes. Firstly, to analyse and understand factors affecting the existing business models of various companies with green technologies targeting BOP markets for sustainable development. Secondly, the research brings an identification and understanding of number of key factors related to BMI, BOP markets and green technologies for sustainable development, and proposes a conceptual framework based on a series of underpinning relationships among these factors. Thirdly, it testifies the conceptualized theoretical framework on green business model innovation for sustainable development for BOP markets, among large companies. The primary objective of research study is to design a right green business model innovation across companies with green technologies for BOP markets. The secondary objective is to identify and compare the differences and similarities of green business model innovation for BOP markets of both South Africa and India. The present research undertakes a sequential exploratory mixed method approach, and is carried out in three phases: Phase 1: Exploration and study of business model innovation of identified industries/sectors with green technologies, targeting BOP segment for sustainable development, using qualitative research methods to formulate multiple cases. Phase 2: Identification of underpinning factors related to BMI, sustainable development and BOP consumers for green technologies; using qualitative methods and content analysis of results from phase 1, leading to design and development of theoretical framework of green business model innovation for South Africa and India. Phase 3: Testing of conceptualized framework of green business model innovation for sustainable development, using quantitative research methods. The present research tests underpinning factors of emerging green business model innovation for sustainable development, resulting from the qualitative phase, and is used to expand and generalize qualitative findings by using quantitative methods. The findings resulted in linking three theoretical emerging topics in the literature: business model innovation (BMI), green technology for sustainability and BOP. Four cases are developed through 33 face-to-face in-depth interviews with company top executives, using multiple case study approach. Each case comprised of sustainable business model innovation, representing comparison between South Africa and India, across four industries, namely, Energy, Banking, FMCG/Durable sectors and Cloud Computing. Qualitative content analysis and findings resulted in formation of themes and sub-themes and proposed prepositions, depicting the relationship between BMI, BOP, and green technology for sustainability. These prepositions aided in development of conceptual framework and proposed nine hypotheses. The conceptual model is quantitatively surveyed on 206 employees of large companies with focus on BOP markets. The quantitative findings supported all nine hypotheses. Therefore, indicating that integration of green technology is associated with performance of green product/service innovation and green process innovation in a company. Likewise, business model innovation variables; customer interface, infrastructure management and financial aspects, positively impacts sustainability of business model. The contribution of this thesis is in the development of green business model innovation for sustainable development, with focus on BOP markets. This adds to the contextual knowledge and empirical literature on business model innovation, green technologies and BOP markets. Theoretically, it brings better understanding of these concepts, and provides a basis of further research highlighting the importance of innovation while taking account of green economy and BOP. The findings provide marketing practitioners with better understanding of strategies that can be employed to innovate and change their own business models to incorporate green and sustainable initiative for BOP markets. / XL2018

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Business Administration, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 1992. / The primary purpose of this research was to determine if South African industrial companies have structured themselves appropriately to be able to deal with the increasing environmental uncertainty [Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version] / GR2017

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management (in the field of Public and Development Management / In South Africa's rapidly shifting socio-economic and political environment, many non-governmental organistions are in crisis, with donors, clients and government demanding that they change to meet the new development agenda. Although this requires careful planning and strategy- making,the three cases studied have shown that planning for change leads to tensions between need to retain the democratic and participatory ethos of the organisation, and the need to become more management and product oriented. In addition, the change planning in these organisations is often vague and and unfocused, with many different ideas and approaches for dealing with change, but few realistic plans to implement it. The research outlines an approach to planning that encompasses both of the NOD ideals by separating planning from strategy-making. As part of a learning environment, planning and strategy-making are participative activities that enable strategy to emerge at all levels of the organisation, while the planning process becomes action-focused and operational. / Andrew Chakane 2019

Strategic planning is currently a widespread tool for territorial development. Strategic plans can be used to plan activities, but they can also be a means of participation. Ideally, strategic planning should be based on mutual learning while the strategic plan should be a result of mutual consensus. In practice, we are dealing with the predominantly expert and predominantly community-based way of implementation, which differs through the involvement of local actors. The aim of the thesis is to find out whether communication and cooperation of the public administration with the non-profit secotr, private sector and the public sector works; and whether is the process of elaboration of the strategic plan and its implementation functional. How does this communication and co-operation take place and whether it has a contribution to the local community and i fit fundamentally changes the structure of the implemented activities. Four cities, which have appropriate conditions for the involvement of local actors, have been selected for the purposes of research. The main research method used was semi-structured interviews with trade union leaders in charge of strategic planning and with local actors who were either involved in the processing or their activity was locally important. In two of the cities,...

O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter informações sobre a correlação qualitativa entre o sucesso econômico e a consistência estratégica das panificadoras de pequeno e médio porte de diferentes modelos de loja. O estudo da estratégia nas pequenas empresas é fundamental para o entendimento das ações que levam esse tipo de empresas ao sucesso, devido à suas especificidades em relação às grandes empresas; cuja literatura é ainda relativamente escassa. Por outro lado o setor de panificação é de grande relevância e para a economia nacional e vem apresentando boas taxas de crescimento anual e uma transição para a agregação de maior qualidade nas suas operações. Para a concepção do objetivo desta pesquisa a metodologia adotada foi a realização de um estudo multicascos, de caráter qualitativo, em dez panificadoras da cidade de São José do Rio Preto/SP. Este estudo compreendeu entrevistas com os proprietários das empresas, sendo que desse total três eram de médio porte e sete de pequeno porte. Os resultados obtidos apontaram que quanto mais aderentes forem as ações estratégicas tomadas pelas empresas às dimensões estratégicas de seu grupo estratégico, melhores serão os resultados apresentados. Além disso, o estudo trouxe uma contribuição ao oferecer um conjunto de dimensões estratégicas mais específico para cada um dos grupos estratégicos encontrados no segmento de panificação brasileiro. Espera-se com esse trabalho um maior entendimento sobre a estratégia em pequenas e médias empresas, e de forma mais específica, uma contribuição para o estudo e o ensino de estratégias para este setor. / The aim of this study was to obtain qualitative information about the correlation between economic success and consistency of strategic bakeries small and midsize different store models. The study of strategy in small businesses is crucial to understanding the actions that lead to this kind of business success, due to their specificity toward large companies, whose literature is still relatively scarce. Moreover the bakery sector is of great importance and for the national economy and is showing good growth rates and an annual aggregate transition to higher quality in their operations. For the design of the objective of the research methodology adopted was to conduct a study multihulls, qualitative, in ten bakeries in the city of São José do Rio Preto/SP. This study included interviews with business owners, and of this total three were midsize and seven small. The results showed that the more members are strategic actions taken by companies to strategic dimensions of its strategic group, the better the results. Moreover, the study has brought a contribution by providing a set of more specific strategic dimensions for each strategic groups found in Brazilian segment baking. It is expected that work with a greater understanding of the strategy in small and medium enterprises, and more specifically, a contribution to the study and teaching strategies for this sector.

Os distribuidores de insumos têm desempenhado um papel importante na comercialização e distribuição de insumos aos consumidores finais (agricultores). Além de vender os insumos, essas empresas são fornecedores de serviços importantes e também participam no processo de desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias, conhecimento de mercado e, especialmente, de fornecimento de crédito. O planejamento é necessário para que o futuro seja levado em consideração, e o sistema de gestão é essencial na organização, tornando-se um diferencial competitivo e uma ferramenta de sucesso na implementação de estratégias. O diagnóstico das práticas de gestão nos canais de distribuição de insumos permite identificar os principais pontos de melhoria, e esses merecerão todos os esforços de tempo e investimento dos gestores. O presente trabalho busca responder à seguinte pergunta: como fomentar o processo de planejamento estratégico de um canal de distribuição de insumos agrícolas utilizando projetos previamente estruturados que podem ser aplicados dependendo do nível de gestão encontrado no canal? Para tanto, lança mão de uma pesquisa exploratória qualitativa que analisa cinco estudos de casos. Como resultado, foi proposto um modelo de classificação do nível de gestão de canais de distribuição de insumos agrícolas que subsidiou as análises dos projetos estratégicos relacionados com o nível de gestão existente no canal; e também uma gama de projetos estratégicos previamente pensados em função do nível de gestão. Percebe-se uma lacuna na proposição dos projetos estratégicos e o nível de gestão, sendo importante que no exercício do planejamento estratégico, tenha-se o conhecimento prévio desse. / Agricultural input dealers play an important role in the commercialization and distribution of the inputs to final users (growers). Besides selling inputs, these companies supply important services and participate in the development of new technologies, in sharing market knowledge and specially in funding growers\' activities. Planning is necessary to bring light to the future while the management system is essential for the organization, becoming a competitive advantage and a successful tool for the implementation of the strategy. The diagnosis of management practices in input dealers allows identifying the main improvement points which should deserve time spending and investment by the firms\' managers. This research aims to address the following question: how to promote the strategic planning process of an agricultural input dealer by using previously structured projects that could be applied based on the level of management standard? In order to do so, this qualitative and exploratory research analyzed five case studies. It resulted on a framework for classifying the level of management standard of agricultural input dealers, which was used to analyze the strategic projects related to the existing management standard of each dealer. It also resulted on a range of strategic projects previously thought according to the level of management standard. It became evident that there is a gap between the proposed strategic projects and the level of management standard, being important that managers have a previous knowledge of such level for planning the firm\'s strategies.

No universo das pequenas empresas o planejamento estratégico, realizado como processo contínuo de interação da empresa com o ambiente, que permite estabelecer os objetivos e as potencialidades da empresa, além de orientar o melhor aproveitamento dos recursos utilizados pela organização, é pouco utilizado, e tais organizações apresentam-se ineficientes no processo estratégico, seja pela complexidade desta ferramenta, seja por suas características de gestão. Assim, faz-se necessário abordar o planejamento estratégico de forma menos complexa e formal e, principalmente, considerando-se as suas principais características de gestão: estruturais, comportamentais e contextuais. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi desenvolver e avaliar a utilização de um roteiro para auxiliar o pequeno empresário na elaboração do planejamento estratégico, considerando suas especificidades de gestão. O roteiro, construído com base nos modelos de planejamento propostos pelos principais autores da área, possui a peculiaridade que lhe deve ser atribuída – ser prático no auxílio ao pequeno empresário na elaboração do planejamento estratégico, implicando a especificação dos tópicos essenciais e a forma de desenvolvê-los. O roteiro demonstrou ser de fácil utilização e, nas empresas onde foi aplicado, auxiliou o pequeno empresário na adoção desta ferramenta como incremento de competitividade à medida que a utilização desta proporciona reflexões e diretrizes para as atividades da organização, como também possibilita adaptação e capacidade de resposta às mudanças do mercado. Esta pesquisa visa também colaborar para um melhor entendimento do processo estratégico nas pequenas organizações / In the universe of the small businesses, strategic planning should be accomplished as a continuous process of interaction between the company and its environment, allowing the company to establish its objectives and potentialities, besides guiding the best use of resources. However, strategic planning is not broadly used in small businesses, due to the complexity of the tool or because of their management characteristics. Thus, it is necessary to approach strategic planning in a less complex and formal way and, mainly, considering its principal characteristics of management: structural, environmental and behavioural. The main goal of this research was to develop and to evaluate the use of a guideline to assist small entrepreneurs in the elaboration of strategic planning, considering their management specificities. The guideline was built starting from the planning models proposed by the main authors of the area and it has kept its peculiarity - to be practical in the assistance to the small entrepreneur in the elaboration of strategic planning, implying in the specification of the essential topics and the form of developing them. The guidelines demonstrated to be easy to be used and, in the companies where it was applied, it aided the small entrepreneur in the adoption of this tool as increment of competitiveness, as the use of its provides reflections and directions for the activities of organization, as well as making possible to adapt and respond to the changes of market. This research also seeks to collaborate for a better understanding of the strategic process in small organizations

A literatura de grupos estratégicos vem desenvolvendo-se desde a escola de posicionamento, mas estudos recentes ainda solicitam avanços no entendimento da evolução dos grupos estratégicos em termos de conteúdo da estratégia, número de grupos e participação nos grupos e da metodologia para a identificação dos grupos e seu estudo evolutivo. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo central estudar mudanças em grupos estratégicos com o propósito de identificar os caminhos evolutivos desses grupos para discutir seus resultados com a literatura de dinâmica de grupos estratégicos, utilizando como fonte empírica de estudo empresas do setor sucroalcooleiro. A partir de uma abordagem cognitiva, baseada no conhecimento e julgamento daqueles que estão inseridos na indústria, foram realizadas cinco entrevistas com executivos da indústria sucroalcooleira para identificar as variáveis que possibilitam destacar as diferenças nas estratégias corporativas das empresas e, com isso, identificar grupos de empresas com perfil estratégico semelhante. Os executivos identificaram os grupos existentes segundo sua percepção entre 2003 e 2012 e todos apontaram para a inexistência de grupos no início do período, seguindo para a diferenciação estratégica e consequente formação de grupos caracterizados pelos diferentes níveis de integração vertical, pela propriedade e pela especialização. A partir das variáveis identificadas nessa abordagem, realizou-se uma análise com base em dados secundários das cinquenta maiores empresas do setor, o que contribuiu para apontar uma nova metodologia de pesquisa de grupos estratégicos que considera a abordagem cognitiva e quantitativa complementares. Nessa perspectiva quantitativa, permitiu-se identificar os novos grupos formados nestes últimos 10 anos com grande relevância não apenas no nível de integração vertical para diferenciar o perfil estratégico das empresas, mas também na concentração da produção nos grupos mais integrados e na variável de propriedade, considerada como a origem nacional ou estrangeira do capital. / The literature in the domain of strategic groups is developing, with initial origins at positioning school, however recent theoretical developments still strive to understand the evolution of strategic groups as they relate to strategy content, the number of groups, group participation, and methodologies for group identification and group evolution. This research aims to study changes in strategic groups, discussing relevant results with the literature of strategic group dynamics, leveraging empirical data from the sugarcane industry. Utilizing a cognitive approach, and based on the knowledge and judgment of experts in the sugarcane industry, five interviews were performed to identify variables that could help differentiate business strategies of sugarcane companies, and in so doing, identify and group companies with a similar strategic profile. The executives identified the groups in the time period between 2003 and 2012, all confirming the inexistence of such groups at the beginning of this period, followed by a strategic differentiation, characterized by different levels of vertical integration, ownership and specialization. Leveraging this initial cognitive analysis, an additional analysis was performed using secondary data from the fifty largest companies in the sugarcane sector. These companies were classified according to the variables defined in the cognitive approach, resulting in the development of a new research methodology in strategic groups that considers both the cognitive and quantitative approaches together. In the quantitative approach, it was possible to identify new groups formed within the previous 10 years, which is relevant not only in the consideration of vertical integration as it relates to business strategy, but also in analysis of the ownership variable (domestic or international capital) as a function of group productivity dynamics.