This study explores complexity metrics for business artifact process models described by Case Management Model and Notation (CMMN). Process models are usually described using Business Process Management (BPM), which is a relatively mature discipline with a large number of practitioners. Over the last few decades a new way of describing data intensive business processes has emerged in BPM literature, for which traditional BPM is no longer adequate. This emerging method, used to describe more flexible processes, is called business artifacts with Guard-Stage-Milestone (GSM). The work on GSM influenced CMMN, which was created to fill a market need for more flexible case management processes for knowledge workers. Complexity metrics have been developed for traditional BPM models, such as the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN). However, traditional BPM is not suitable for describing GSM or CMMN process models. Therefore, complexity metrics developed for traditional process models may not be applicable to business artifact process models such as CMMN. This study addresses this gap by exploring complexity metrics for business artifact process models using CMMN. The findings of this study have practical implications for the CMMN standard and for the commercial products implementing CMMN. This research makes the following contributions: • The development of a formal description of CMMN using first-order logic. • An exploration of the relationship between CMMN and GSM and the development of transformation procedures between them. • A comparison between the method complexity of CMMN and other popular process methods, including BPMN, Unified Modeling Language (UML) Activity diagrams, and Event-driven Process Charts (EPC). • The creation of a systematic literature review of complexity metrics for process models, which was conducted in order to inform the creation of CMMN metrics. • The identification of a set of complexity metrics for the CMMN standard, which underwent theoretical and empirical validation. This research advances literature in the areas of method complexity, complexity metrics for process models, declarative processes, and research on CMMN by characterizing CMMN method complexity, identifying complexity metrics for CMMN, and exploring the relationship between CMMN and GSM. / Ph.D. (Computer Science)

The main objective of this study was to explain top management perceptions of industry and firm effects on firm performance through the mediation of competitive advantage in financial service firms operating in a regulated industry in a developing Ethiopian economy. The resource-based and industry-based views, constituting the two main schools of thought explaining performance variations among firms, were used as theoretical foundation of this study. Porter’s five-forces framework was used during this process. The researcher employed a post-positivist paradigm using a cross-sectional survey design. A total of 27 financial service firms (15 banks and 12 insurance firms) that had functioned for three and more years were selected for the study. The unit of analysis was ‘firms’, while respondents were top level managers with a total target population of less than 300. A census survey rather than a sample survey was undertaken. A total of 287 survey questionnaires were distributed (banks 180 and insurance industry 107), of which 215 were collected from 26 firms (15 banks and 11 insurance firms). Of the questionnaires 206 were properly completed leading to a valid response rate of 71%. These were used for the data analysis. A variance-based PLS-SEM approach, which is relevant to evaluate the predictive effects of the industry and firm factors on firm performance, was used to explain the hypothesized model using SmartPLS 2.00 software as well as the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program. The assessment of the hypothesized model indicated that the R2 result on firm performance variance due to the combined industry effects and firm effects was 39%, indicating a moderately significant predictive accuracy of the model. The relative direct effect size (f2) of the industry on firm performance was 3%, while firm had a direct effect size of 2%, which was small. The combined indirect relative predictive accuracy of industry and firm effect sizes on firm performance through competitive advantage was high at 27%. This was driven by the relative substantial predictive power of firm effect on competitive advantage (f2 = 65%). Furthermore, the predictive capability (Q2) assessment result of the model indicated that both industry and firm effects had a 23% relevant predictive power on firm performance. The direct relative measure of the predictive relevance (q2) value of industry effect (q2 = 0.02) on firm performance was relatively higher than that of the firm effect (q2 = 0.01). Competitive advantage had a relative predictive power of 0.12, which was driven by the direct relative predictive capability of firm effect (q2 = 0.25) on competitive advantage. The overall assessment results of the structural model revealed that the model had satisfactory statistical power to predict the hypothetical research model. The hypothesis that industry effects had an influence on the performance of financial service firms was not supported. The result indicated that industry effects had a positive and non-significant relationship with firm performance, which points to competitiveness in the financial services industry. These results were achieved against the tenets of Porter’s five-forces framework. The hypothesis that firm effects had a positive predictive effect on firm performance was also not supported, indicating that resources and capabilities do not directly lead to improved firm performance. The direct effect of competitive advantage on firm performance was supported. The mediating effect of competitive advantage between industry effects and firm performance was not significant, while the mediation of competitive advantage between firm effects and firm performance was highly significant. The findings of this study revealed that firm effects were relevant through the mediation of competitive advantage in explaining performance variances among financial service firms, operating in a strictly regulated industry. The relative predictive power of firm effect on competitive advantage was high. Firm resources, particularly intangible resources and dynamic capabilities, are the key predictors of firm performance indirectly through the mediation of competitive advantage. Such an advantage may not last long given the excessive supervision and regulations that exist and the fact that firms are being dictated to by the government to comply with its strategic direction as opposed to pursuing their own firm specific strategies. Such practice could encourage competing financial firms to converge and pursue similar types of strategies and encourage imitations to gain short term competitive advantage and superior performance. This finding contradicts the fundamental premise of the resource-based view and firm heterogeneity even though it tentatively supports the argument made by Foss and Knudsen (2003) who argue that heterogeneity is not a necessary condition to gain competitive advantage and superior firm performance. Financial service firms should not only develop and manage their resources and capabilities, but they should also monitor the changes in the industry. This finding highlights the fact that firms can create competitive advantage and enjoy superior performance in a closed and regulated industry. The findings of this research make a significant contribution to the existing debate on the resource-based and industry-based views in explaining the causes of firms’ performance variations specifically in a regulated environment. / Business Management / D.B.L.

This research was geared towards the investigation of management strategies (factors) that affect the performance ofMSMEs in Kenya. Many developed countries record a time in history when entrepreneurial activities led to revival of economical growth after decline. This implies MSMEs is a very vital sector especially for a developing country like Kenya. MSMEs stagnate and their performance is uncertain according to writers such as Namusonge, Management inadequacies have been suggested in several studies. The objectives of this research was to, 1. To identifY the critical management factors affecting the performance of MSMEs in Kenya; ii. To establish the process through which managerial factors affect the performance of a MSMEs in Kenya ; m. To determine the integrative effect of various management factors in the MSMES in Kenya; IV. To establish the effect of demographics and management factors on performance, v. To establish effects of external environment on internal management factors A conceptual model was formulated from the literature review showing relationships of the management strategies and the environment they operate in. These relationships became the basis for the hypotheses which were later tested. In chapter 4, a mini research (pilot study) was conducted in May 2007,whose main aim was to test the reliability and validity of the research instruments. The 36 questionnaires returned were analysed through descriptive method. Results obtained indicated the instruments were reliable and the results valid. A few corrections suggested were made. The major correction was addition of question 35 to collect financial information. The data collection was done between mid August and mid October 2007.In chapter 5, the researcher analysesd the results of the survey after receiving 180 questionnaires. Time was a constraint. In chapter 6, the hypotheses and conceptual model were analysed and the results obtained suggested that, most strategies did not affect the profitability separately but severally. The integrated effect of the management strategies and the associated factors had a higher impact on performance of the MSMES than any individual strategies. In chapter 7, the conclusions, summaries and Recommendations are given. / Business Management / D. Com. (Business Management and Policy)

Land is a major factor in agricultural production, so agricultural land allocated to smallholder farmers through Land Reform Program or by traditional leader need to be actively utilised for enhancement of agricultural business. The study assessed land utilisation by small and emerging farmers in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality. Data was collected from 86 farms and analysed using SPSS Version 23. The results indicate that 74% of the farmers fully utilised their farm lands. Results of Logit model revealed that, the amount received from leasing, value adding to products, annual farm income and savings had positive significant impact on the area of cultivation, while skills pertaining to farming activities and the proportion of farm inputs purchased with the farmer’s own money had negative impact. The significant variables should be considered to influence full farmland utilisation by small and emerging farmers in the study area; farmers need production inputs, affordable loans and other forms of funding to improve farmland utilisation / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

Uma das principais características do ambiente organizacional é a velocidade com que o processo de globalização é impulsionado pela informação, a disponibilidade de novas tecnologias da informação e uma demanda crescente dos consumidores. Neste contexto, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi examinar a relação entre os processos de gestão do conhecimento, inovatividade e inovação de produtos no setor têxtil Brasileiro, com base em um modelo teórico que representa o impacto positivo que os processos de gestão do conhecimento tem sobre a inovatividade e inovação de produto. Nesse contexto, essa pesquisa baseia-se nas teorias de Visão Baseada em Recursos, Visão Baseada em Conhecimento, Capacidades Dinâmicas e Difusão de Inovação. O método de pesquisa consistiu em uma abordagem quantitativa, seguida de uma abordagem qualitativa. A fase quantitativa, que incluiu uma pesquisa de 157 indústrias têxteis Brasileiras, permitiu testar o modelo teórico proposto, enquanto a fase qualitativa, realizada com entrevistas e análise de conteúdo, possibilitou a complementação dos resultados quantitativos. Na fase quantitativa, foi enviado um questionário estruturado às 157 indústrias têxteis de 13 Estados Brasileiros. Na fase qualitativa, os dados foram tratados por análise de conteúdo, através de codificação de categorização de entrevistas e análise aberta, axial e seletiva. Os resultados quantitativos mostraram que os processos de gestão do conhecimento influenciam a inovação do produto através do "processo linear", que difere do modelo proposto entre o processo de gerenciamento do conhecimento e a inovação de produtos. Os resultados qualitativos se originaram em um terceiro modelo; um modelo integrado de gestão do conhecimento e inovação de produtos. Os resultados qualitativos também indicaram que os processos de gerstão do conhecimento podem ser lineares e dinâmicos, o que gerou um terceiro modelo que abrange ambos os modelos propostos. Portanto, essa pesquisa contribui para a geração de dois modelos específicos. Um alternativo, que representa a realidade pesquisada onde os processos de gestão do conhecimento ocorrem um após o outro, resultando em inovação de produtos através da inovatividade. Um integrado, que une resultados quantitativos a resultados qualitativos, da visão de dez especialistas do setor têxtil brasileiro, com base em uma proposição linear de relações dinâmicas entre o processo de gestão do conhecimento e a inovação de produtos. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2017-08-22T16:32:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Paula Patricia Ganzer.pdf: 32929766 bytes, checksum: de484d8b6407064628546ce866ba3269 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-22T16:32:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Paula Patricia Ganzer.pdf: 32929766 bytes, checksum: de484d8b6407064628546ce866ba3269 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-22 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, FAPERGS. / One main feature of the organizational environment is the speed with which the globalization process is driven by information, the availability of new information technologies and an increasingly demand from the consumers. In this context, the objective of this research was to examine the relationship between the processes of knowledge management, innovation and product innovation in the Brazilian textile sector, based on a theoretical model that represents the positive impact that the processes of knowledge management Innovation and product innovation. In that context, this research bases itself from the theories of Resource Based Vision, Knowledge Based Vision, Dynamic Capabilities and Innovation Diffusion. The research method consisted of a quantitative approach, followed by a qualitative one. The quantitative phase, which included a survey of 157 Brazilian textile industries, allowed us to test the proposed theoretical model, while the qualitative phase, conducted with interviews and content analysis, made possible to complement the quantitative results. In the quantitative phase, a structured questionnaire was sent to the 157 textile industries from 13 Brazilian States. In the qualitative stage, data were treated by content analysis, through interviews categorization coding, and open, axial and selective analysis. The quantitative results showed that the knowledge management processes impact on product innovation through “linear process”, which differs from the proposed model between knowledge management process and product innovation. The qualitative results originated in a third model; an integrated model of knowledge management and product innovation. The qualitative results also indicated that the knowledge management processes can be both linear and dynamic, which generated a third model that covers both proposed models. Therefore, this research contributes to the generation of two specific models. An alternative one, which represents the researched reality where knowledge management processes occur one after the other, to result in product innovation through innovativity. An integrated one, which joins quantitative results to qualitative results, from the view of ten specialists of the Brazilian textile sector, based on a linear proposition of dynamic relations between knowledge management process and product innovation.

Uma das principais características do ambiente organizacional é a velocidade com que o processo de globalização é impulsionado pela informação, a disponibilidade de novas tecnologias da informação e uma demanda crescente dos consumidores. Neste contexto, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi examinar a relação entre os processos de gestão do conhecimento, inovatividade e inovação de produtos no setor têxtil Brasileiro, com base em um modelo teórico que representa o impacto positivo que os processos de gestão do conhecimento tem sobre a inovatividade e inovação de produto. Nesse contexto, essa pesquisa baseia-se nas teorias de Visão Baseada em Recursos, Visão Baseada em Conhecimento, Capacidades Dinâmicas e Difusão de Inovação. O método de pesquisa consistiu em uma abordagem quantitativa, seguida de uma abordagem qualitativa. A fase quantitativa, que incluiu uma pesquisa de 157 indústrias têxteis Brasileiras, permitiu testar o modelo teórico proposto, enquanto a fase qualitativa, realizada com entrevistas e análise de conteúdo, possibilitou a complementação dos resultados quantitativos. Na fase quantitativa, foi enviado um questionário estruturado às 157 indústrias têxteis de 13 Estados Brasileiros. Na fase qualitativa, os dados foram tratados por análise de conteúdo, através de codificação de categorização de entrevistas e análise aberta, axial e seletiva. Os resultados quantitativos mostraram que os processos de gestão do conhecimento influenciam a inovação do produto através do "processo linear", que difere do modelo proposto entre o processo de gerenciamento do conhecimento e a inovação de produtos. Os resultados qualitativos se originaram em um terceiro modelo; um modelo integrado de gestão do conhecimento e inovação de produtos. Os resultados qualitativos também indicaram que os processos de gerstão do conhecimento podem ser lineares e dinâmicos, o que gerou um terceiro modelo que abrange ambos os modelos propostos. Portanto, essa pesquisa contribui para a geração de dois modelos específicos. Um alternativo, que representa a realidade pesquisada onde os processos de gestão do conhecimento ocorrem um após o outro, resultando em inovação de produtos através da inovatividade. Um integrado, que une resultados quantitativos a resultados qualitativos, da visão de dez especialistas do setor têxtil brasileiro, com base em uma proposição linear de relações dinâmicas entre o processo de gestão do conhecimento e a inovação de produtos. / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, FAPERGS. / One main feature of the organizational environment is the speed with which the globalization process is driven by information, the availability of new information technologies and an increasingly demand from the consumers. In this context, the objective of this research was to examine the relationship between the processes of knowledge management, innovation and product innovation in the Brazilian textile sector, based on a theoretical model that represents the positive impact that the processes of knowledge management Innovation and product innovation. In that context, this research bases itself from the theories of Resource Based Vision, Knowledge Based Vision, Dynamic Capabilities and Innovation Diffusion. The research method consisted of a quantitative approach, followed by a qualitative one. The quantitative phase, which included a survey of 157 Brazilian textile industries, allowed us to test the proposed theoretical model, while the qualitative phase, conducted with interviews and content analysis, made possible to complement the quantitative results. In the quantitative phase, a structured questionnaire was sent to the 157 textile industries from 13 Brazilian States. In the qualitative stage, data were treated by content analysis, through interviews categorization coding, and open, axial and selective analysis. The quantitative results showed that the knowledge management processes impact on product innovation through “linear process”, which differs from the proposed model between knowledge management process and product innovation. The qualitative results originated in a third model; an integrated model of knowledge management and product innovation. The qualitative results also indicated that the knowledge management processes can be both linear and dynamic, which generated a third model that covers both proposed models. Therefore, this research contributes to the generation of two specific models. An alternative one, which represents the researched reality where knowledge management processes occur one after the other, to result in product innovation through innovativity. An integrated one, which joins quantitative results to qualitative results, from the view of ten specialists of the Brazilian textile sector, based on a linear proposition of dynamic relations between knowledge management process and product innovation.

This thesis analyses the effects of relative market share and the rate of market growth on the strategic characteristics and financial performance of selected companies quoted on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange over the period 1977 to 198. It is well established that business performance is partially contingent upon relative market share position and the rate of market growth. Together these variables comprise the basis of the Boston Consulting Group approach to portfolio analysis in the form of the Boston Consulting Group Growth/Share Matrix. A methodology was designed to test the validity of this matrix in measuring and predicting corporate behaviour at the business level in South Africa. Selected companies were placed into the matrix and analysed in terms of their strategic attributes (represented by selected financial ratios) and their level of performance (represented by a wide range of financial performance measures). The research findings show that relative market share and the rate of market growth have a significant impact on the strategic attributes and financial performance of South African businesses. Also, certain attributes are closely associated with particular types of performance. Therefore, given a specific performance target, management should ultimately be able to isolate and monitor the relevant strategic attributes in ensuring that the target is achieved. The analysis of contingent models of strategy is still in its infancy, but this study indicates that the field is possessed of great potential.

Describes the business plan for an entrepreneurial venture called Nutrition on Wheels, which will be the first locally owned and operated gourmet diet food delivery service in the Coachella Valley of California. The service will provide customized meals to fit the specific dietary needs of its customers. Covers the essential components of the business plan for Nutrition on Wheels including industry analysis, market potential, marketing plans, organization and operational plans, strategic management and a financial plan.

This study set out to explore the strategising practices of middle managers and thereby expand the body of knowledge in terms of middle management practices in strategising in general, and makes an original contribution at the frontiers of middle management practices in a university context in South Africa. Although some research has been done on middle managers and strategy, a knowledge gap still exists, especially regarding strategising in emerging economies, such as South Africa. More specifically, the actions of middle managers at universities are open for exploration. Universities are increasingly exposed to new challenges in a competitive environment due to declining state funding, changing student demographics, new technological developments and increased market pressures. The sustainability of universities is also threatened by changes inside the universities, such as the drive for corporatisation and a changing internal focus. The way universities respond to and pre-empt dealing with these challenges will influence the sustainability and competitiveness of the university and subsequently the nations it serves. However, very little is known about the university managers who are powerful in terms of the administrative systems and decision processes. In order to understand strategy work viii and to know what enables or constrains it, it is necessary to look at middle managers at universities. This research puts forward three main arguments: firstly, strategy is dispersed throughout the entire organisation and includes middle managers’ strategising activities. Secondly, a need exists for practically relevant research founded in the organisational realities. Thirdly, universities present a relevant context within which to study strategising practices. An exploratory qualitative case study was followed to answer the research questions. Findings indicate that university middle managers, who operate within a machine bureaucracy, create systems within systems in order to cope with the organisational demands. Middle managers are mostly responsible for strategy implementation and the support role of university managers is prominent. Findings also indicate that the strategy loses its meaning and in an environment where the strategy textual artefacts and talk are abundant. In such an environment compliance takes precedence over buy-in. Finally, this study identified the enablers of and constraints on the strategy work of university middle managers. This research confirmed that strategy and strategising are human actions and confirmed that knowledge of what people do in relation to the strategies of organisations is required. / Economics / D. Com. (Business Management)

This study set out to explore how Official Development Assistance was practised in South Africa. An exploratory narrative design was followed to uncover the ‘strategy in the skin’ of strategy practitioners in the unit of analysis and to respond, therefore, to the research questions. This study has contributed to the body of knowledge in that it has brought together an alternative confluence of three theoretical perspectives of strategy as practice; complex adaptive systems and organisational hypocrisy and has explored the impact of the practice lens on these standpoints. While there has been extensive research on each of the theoretical perspectives, there has not yet been a study that has drawn together the three perspectives in relation to an empirical unit of analysis such as Official Development Assistance practices and practitioners. The study responded to a knowledge gap in relation to how public sector organisations, such as government units and the strategy practitioners of such units, practice strategy beyond the reified, formalised conceptions of strategy and in relation to their inhabiting complex, political organisational systems. The study arrived at two central theoretical findings. Firstly, that strategising represents a calibration of strategic practices towards strategic outcomes through the activities of complex adaptive practitioners v within the more politically inclined organisation. Secondly, that beyond the text of strategy, there is sub-text that is equally part of the micro strategy towards strategic outcomes.The skilful and sometimes delicate balancing act, that strategists perform to legitimise the calibrated combinations of action and politics in organisational strategy, equally needs nuanced, subtle and more complex forms of organisational communication. The study, therefore, makes the claim that complex adaptive systems and the characteristics of political organisations (as not being geared to action) are inherently broadened through the multiple dimensions of the practice turn and strategy as sub-text. The research confirmed that strategy as practice is a useful lens to understand strategy beyond the formally documented scripts and espoused pronouncements of strategy within organisational studies / Business Management / D.B.L.