M.B.A. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

In essence, aspects of sports marketing can be viewed as a special case of marketing a brand. The brand-related marketing activities of rugby teams should therefore first focus on building awareness of the rugby team's brand. Branding is a new phenomenon in rugby, a sport that has recently become professional and commercialised in South Africa. Despite the importance of brands and consumer perceptions of brands, rugby unions in South Africa have not used a consistent definition or measurement technique to assess spectators' perceptions of rugby brands. If some understanding of spectators' perceptions of brands could be developed, rugby unions in South Africa might be able to determine the brand equity of their sports teams. The determination of brand equity defines what an organisation may be willing to invest in a brand, based on some type of expected return. Brand equity is a set of variables linked to a brand's name and symbol that adds to or subtracts from the value provided by a product or service to a organisation and/or that organisation's customers and can be grouped into four categories, namely brand awareness, brand associations, brand loyalty and perceived quality. By ascertaining spectators' awareness, the associations they make regarding the brands, as well as brand loyalty and perceived quality of the respective brands of the provincial, regional and national rugby teams of South Africa, the brand equity of these teams could be determined. The aim of this study was, therefore, to determine spectators' awareness of, their associations with, their loyalty to and their perceived quality of the respective brands of the provincial, regional and national rugby teams of South Africa so that the brand equity of these teams could be established. In this study it was found that the Stormers' brand had the highest brand awareness, but that the Springbok brand had the highest brand equity. / Business Management / D.COM (Business Management)

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the past decade, through the study of business acquisitions and through empirical research it has become evident that brands are amongst the most important assets of a company. Brands are the core of the consumer-driven economy and companies' sustainable business future is dependent on the success of their brands. Brands enable companies to establish and differentiate their company and its products. Additionally, brands provide the base or launching pad for new products and new business ventures. Brand leverage strategies are described as strategies that use established brands to influence the perceptions of new products. These brand leverage strategies include line extensions, vertical extensions, brand extensions and co-branding. Co-branding as a brand leverage strategy is investigated in this study. This study investigates the perceptions of brand practitioners towards co-branding within the retail industry of South Africa and identifies key aspects of co-branding strategies. The key factors in co-branding strategies are: the perceived fit (compatibility) between the brands; the different fOiTIls of co-branding; the considerations when choosing a partner and the general reasons for pursuing a co-branding strategy. This empirical study examines these key factors and conclusions are drawn from the data obtained. Data for this study was gathered by means of a questionnaire which was sent to retail branding practitioners. Subsequent to analysing the data conclusions were drawn with regards to the appropriate co-branding factors. The research results indicate that branding practitioners believe that the fit between two brands is an important consideration when evaluating co-branding strategies. Results also indicated that the fit between brand images is deemed to be a more important consideration than the fit of operational aspects when brand managers consider a co-branding strategy. Sales improvement and reaching out to new segments of the market are deemed to be appropriate reasons why retail brand practitioners pursue co-branding strategies. In comparison with improvement of sales, the improvement of brand image is deemed to be a less important reason for pursuing a co-branding strategy. Results further conclude that joint marketing is the preferred co-branding Conn and that retail managers prefer co-branding with companies in the FMCG sector. Results also suggest that retail brand practitioners place the biggest emphasis on the possibility of sales improvement when evaluating potential co-branding partners. Co-branding is deemed to be a viable alternative brand leverage strategy for retail brand managers. This study highlights the different aspects and considerations that brand mangers take into account when evaluating a possible co-branding strategy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die afgelope dekade het die bestudering van besigheidswerwings (business acquisitions) en empiriese navorsing daarop gedui dat handelsmerke een van die belangrikste bates van ondememings is. Handelsmerke is die kern van die verbruiker gedrewe ekonomie en die volhoubare besigheids toekoms van maatskappye is afhanklik van die sukses van hierdie handelsmerke. Handelsmerke stel ondememings in staat om huI besigheid en hul produkte te vestig en te differensieer. Handelmerke dien ook as 'n basis vir die ontwikkeling van nuwe produkte en nuwe besigheidsgeleenthede. Handelsmerk hefboom (brand leverage) strategiee word beskryf as strategiee wat gevestigde handelmerke gebruik om die persepsies oor nuwe produkte te beinvloed. Hierdie handelsmerk hefboom (brand leverage) strategiee sluit lyn-uitbreiding, vertikale uitbreiding, handelsmerk uitbreiding en medehandelsmerking (co-branding) in. Hierdie studie ondersoek mede-handelsmerking as 'n handelsmerk hefboom strategie. Hierdie studie ondersoek die persepsies van handelsmerkingpraktisyns binne die Suid Afrikaanse kleinhandel industrie. Die persepsies van handelsmerkingpraktisyns teenoor mede-handelsmerking word ondersoek om die kern aspekte van medehandelsmerking strategiee te identifiseer. Die kern aspekte van mede-handelsmerking strategiee (co-branding strategies) is die waarneembare passing (fit) tussen handelsmerke, die verskillende medehandelsmerkingvorms, die oorwegende faktore tydens die keuse van 'n medehandelsmerksvennoot en die algemene redes vir die nastrewing van 'n medehandelsmerking strategie. Data vir hierdie navorsing is ingesamel deur middel van 'n vraelys wat aan kleinhandel handelsmerkpraktisyns (brand practitioners) gestuur is. Na die analise van die data is bepaalde gevolgtrekkings oor die toepaslike mede-handelsmerkfaktore gemaak. Die navorsings-resultate dui aan dat handelsmerkpraktisyns glo dat die passing (fit) tussen twee handeIsmerke 'n belangrike oorweging is wanneer mede-handelsmerking strategiee oorweeg word. Resultate dui ook aan dat die passing (fit) van die handelmerk beelde 'n belangriker oorweging is as die passing van operasionele aspekte. Verbetering in verkope en die uitreik na nuwe segmente in die mark word beskou as die geskikte redes waarom handelsmerkpraktisyns mede-handelsmerking strategiee volg. Wanneer mede-handelsmerking strategiee gevolg word, word die verbetering in verkope as 'n belangriker rede as die verbetering van die handelmerk beeld beskou. Resultate wys ook dat gesamentIike bemarking (joint marketing) die voorkeur medehandeismerkingvorm is. Die studie kom ook tot die gevolgtrekking dat maatskappye in die VBVG (Vinnig bewegende verbruikers goedere) sektor die voorkeur sektor is waarmee kleinhandelaars wil saamwerk. Resultate dui ook aan dat kleinhandel handelsmerkpraktisyns (brand practitioners) die grootste klem plaas op die moontlikheid van verkope toename wanneer potensieIe medehandelsmerkingsvennote oorweeg word. Mede-handelsmerking word beskou as 'n lewensvatbare altematiewe handelsmerk hefboom strategie (brand leverage strategy) vir kleinhandel handelsmerk bestuurders Hiedie studie bring na vore die verskillende aspekte en oorwegings wat handelsmerk bestuurders in ag neem wanneer moontlike mede-handelsmerking strategiee ontleed word.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aimed to answer the question whether a change of trade name would affect the brand distinctiveness of MC Design & Contracting. MC Design & Contracting is a small to medium-sized enterprise based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The business falls within a segment of the manufacturing sector known as the engineering sector. The business manufactures and installs engineered production facilities and components to industrial markets. As MC Design & Contracting is based in the Eastern Cape where the majority of South African automotive manufacturers are situated, it has a strong reliance on the automotive industry. In an attempt to break this single industry reliance, MC Design & Contracting management has deployed customer diversification strategies. The brand MC Design & Contracting is unique and the business therefore has achieved brand distinctiveness within its industry sector. The customer differentiation strategy requires marketing and sales personnel to target new customers that are not familiar with the business. As a promotional aspect of business-to-business marketing, the element of personal selling plays an important role. The salesforce and marketing personnel felt that the trade name of the business, MC Design & Contracting, was no longer aligned with its customer value proposition. They considered the trade name to be a distraction to the selling and promotions process. In order to assess the impact of a trade name change, MC Design & Contracting’s board requested an independent study dealing with the matter. This study set out to establish the various elements relating to the design of a trade name, including the procedural and legal requirements within a South African context. The ultimate goal of branding is for a business to achieve a degree of ‘uniqueness’ over its competitors. Referred to as ‘brand distinctiveness’, this study explored how trade names relate to brand distinctiveness. The study utilised a qualitative research methodology in the form of semi-structured interviews to gather data from internal and external stakeholders of MC Design & Contracting. The study found that MC Design & Contracting has a distinctive brand, but its trade name is no longer relevant. Furthermore, the study suggests that a change of trade name would affect both brand recognition and brand distinctiveness. The study concludes with recommendations to MC Design & Contracting’s board of directors. The recommendations revolve around the process of selecting an effective trade name that contains an element of distinctiveness. It also deals with the element of brand protection by suggesting the registration of a trademark.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Strategic Marketing, Johannesburg 2016 / Purpose – This paper investigates the brand knowledge and perceptions of South Africans living abroad. It also establishes whether South Africans living abroad are brand advocates for South Africa. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on key literature relating to knowledge transfer, brand advocacy and nation branding. Data were collected through a self-administered online survey to South Africans living abroad through the Brand South Africa database. Correlation, partial correlation and linear regression were used to identify linkages between knowledge transfer, brand advocacy and nation branding. Findings – The conceptual model in conjunction with the hypotheses presented is a start in the direction of establishing a framework to understanding the value of nation branding in the South African knowledge economy. Findings showed significant relation between knowledge transfer, brand advocacy and nation branding. Research limitations/implications – cross-sectional data were used and further research should examine data for multiple years in order to conduct longitudinal studies. Practical implications – The study has demonstrated that nation branding is an important concept to consider in relation to the diaspora. A strong nation brand help to increase exports, attract tourism, investment and immigration. Nation branding has become an essential part of a country’s sustainable development. Originality/value – The study analysed the relationship between knowledge transfer, brand advocacy and nation branding must be seen as a development strategy for home nations to tap the knowledge and skills of their expatriate professionals in developing economies such as South Africa. / GR2018

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Strategic Marketing. Johannesburg, March 2017 / Brand trust has been in decline for a number of years (Eggers, O’Dwyer, Kraus, Vallaster, & Güldenberg, 2013; Gerzema, 2009; Gilmore & Pine, 2007; Schallehn, Burmann, & Riley, 2014). According to Eggers et al., (2013), this has been attributed to many possible causes; the most prevalent being a breakdown between the promises made by brands and what they actually deliver. As a result, consumers are growing increasingly sceptical and they find themselves unable to believe brand claims (Eggers et al.,, 2013). Brand authenticity has been referred to as the perfect antidote to this problem (Gerzema, 2009). It is synonymous with honesty (Morhart, Malär, Guèvremont, Girardin, & Grohmann, 2015), sincerity (Beverland, 2005a; Fine, 2003; Napoli, Dickinson, Beverland, & Farrelly, 2014; Pace, 2015), and trust (Eggers et al.,, 2013); and is a key success factor for brands today (Brown, Kozinets, & Sherry, 2003; Gilmore & Pine, 2007). Authentic brands are deeply committed to their values and to delivering on their promises (Eggers et al.,, 2013; Morhart et al.,, 2015). Morhart et al., (2015) state that to enhance the perception of authenticity, brands should come across as more “human”, as doing so makes it easier for consumers to recognise the inherent values of the brand. Due to a rebirth in traditional, wholesome values, consumers are growing increasingly fond of humanised brands and they now even relate to brands in the same way they relate to people (Brown, 2010; Fournier, 1998; Kervyn, Fiske, & Malone, 2012; Malone & Fiske, 2013). It has been said that brands that are succeeding in a time when brand trust is at an all-time low, are those that are fostering meaningful relationships with their customers by coming across as “human” (Kervyn et al.,, 2012; Malone & Fiske, 2013; Marshall & Ritchie, 2013). This research set out to examine the humanisation of brands, particularly in a world where authenticity is becoming increasingly popular and brand trust, increasingly rare. It was hoped that an empirical investigation would help to define the implications of this growing trend in brand management. The study was conducted in South Africa, where historically there has been a major breakdown of trust between its citizens and the institutions that have been entrusted to lead them (Lekalake, 2015; Marais, 2011; Moeng, 2015; Steenkamp, 2009). The study was grounded in theory that has roots in the field of social psychology. In interpersonal relationships, Cuddy, Fiske, and Glick (2007) found that people make judgements about others based on the evaluation of two dimensions: warmth and competence. The Brands as Intentional Agents Framework (BIAF) (Kervyn et al.,, 2012) theorises that this is consistent with people and brands. Consumers evaluate brands on the same basis of warmth and competence: where warmth is the belief that the brand has good intentions, and competence, the belief that the brand has the ability to carry out those intentions. (Kervyn et al.,, 2012). Expressions of warmth and competence enhance the perception that a brand is humanlike (J. Aaker, Vohs, & Mogilner, 2010; Kervyn et al.,, 2012; Malone & Fiske, 2013). An extensive literature review was conducted on brand authenticity, perceived warmth, perceived competence and brand trust - revealing strong connections between these four constructs. The research problem was three-fold. First, the intention was to establish and evaluate the dimensions of brand authenticity in South Africa, postulated as originality, continuity, credibility and integrity (according to recent studies in the literature). Second, the intention was to then determine whether brand authenticity has a positive impact on brand trust. Brand trust was postulated as having two dimensions, brand intentions and brand reliability, as per Delgado-Ballester (2004). Third, the intention was to resolve whether perceptions of warmth and competence then mediate the relationship between brand authenticity and brand trust. This study adopted a quantitative methodology whereby a self-completion questionnaire was distributed using face-to-face data collection procedures. The sampling frame consisted of frequent flyers of one of seven domestic airlines that fly within South Africa’s borders, namely: South African Airways (SAA), Mango, British Airways (BA), Kulula, Safair, Blue Crane and Cemair. The study used a convenience sample of passengers at Bidvest airport lounges in four major cities, and at Lanseria, a smaller airport in Johannesburg. The questionnaire design included a construct measurement section where respondents were asked to rate their perception of the selected brand’s authenticity, warmth, competence and trust. The data collection returned an impressive 355 usable responses, made up predominantly of business travellers. Partial least squares (PLS) was used to examine the data and factor analysis revealed four important findings. First, the analysis showed three new factors, different to the four postulated dimensions of brand authenticity. They were Original, Ethical and Genuine. Second, brand trust was found to be one-dimensional, and not two-dimensional as postulated. Third, although a revised model of six constructs (original, ethical, genuine, warmth, competence and brand trust) displayed both internal reliability and convergent validity, discriminant validity could not be proven due to critically high correlations between the constructs. The high levels of similarity rendered the constructs indistinguishable in a causal model and as a result, the hypotheses could not be tested using the data that was collected. Finally, an additional analysis showed significant differences between the results of South African Airways (SAA) and some or all of the other airlines on all the constructs. As SAA was not viewed in a positive light, this study identified SAA as an outlier brand. The findings of this research proved to be very interesting, and have major theoretical and managerial implications. As brand authenticity was measured as a second-order construct, it could not be said with certainty that original, ethical and genuine are dimensions thereof. However, the literature certainly suggested that they might be. Authenticity has been linked to any semblance of originality (Vann, 2006); an honourable set of values (Beverland, Lindgreen, & Vink, 2008); and that which is genuine, real and true (Arnould & Price, 2000; Beverland & Farrelly, 2010; Grayson & Martinec, 2004; Molleda & Jain, 2013). Moreover, a recent study by Akbar and Wymer (2016) proved originality and genuineness to be dimensions of brand authenticity and their findings strongly support those of this study. The unexpected results of this research also confirm that brand authenticity is highly contextual and subjective – its meaning is dependent on the consumer’s personal experiences and their unique understanding of what is authentic (Beverland & Farrelly, 2010; Bruhn, Schoenmüller, Schäfer, & Heinrich, 2012; Fritz, Schoenmueller, & Bruhn, 2017; Leigh, Peters, & Shelton, 2006; Molleda & Jain, 2013). This study reiterates that brand managers wishing to enhance perceptions of authenticity, must adapt their approach for their specific brand in specific contexts and be very cognisant of their customers unique interpretation of authenticity. The lack of discriminant validity between the six constructs in the revised path model (original, ethical, genuine, warmth, competence and brand trust) was the most noteworthy finding of this research, as it has serious theoretical and managerial implications. This finding indicates that consumers view these constructs as one and the same, and they are deeply interconnected. This could be attributed to the strong literary overlaps between them, as many of these constructs have almost identical definitions and key traits (for example: honesty, sincerity, benevolence, capability, and reliability). As a result, this research makes an important contribution to advancing the Brands as Intentional Agents Framework (BIAF) (Kervyn et al.,, 2012). It suggests that the BIAF should be expanded to include constructs beyond warmth and competence, as expressions of all six constructs contribute equally to the perception that a brand is human. This research concludes with the Human Brand Model (HBM); a model that provides practical guidelines as to how managers can use the insights from this study to build human brands. To enhance the perception that a brand is more human, managers must use expressions not only of warmth and competence, but of originality, ethicality, genuineness and trust as well. The six dimensions work along a continuum: if one is elevated, so too are the others; but if one is tarnished, the others are negatively impacted too. The result is that no single dimension can be ignored in this process. Brand managers must understand that efforts to build a human brand far surpass the marketing team. This process requires the mobilisation of every department in the organisation and the commitment of the highest levels of leadership. This research set out to establish whether the human brand is simply a buzzword in marketing, or an idea that has both academic and managerial value. The idea that brands have evolved into animate entities is not yet widely accepted in academic literature. However, this research makes an important contribution to advancing the existing theory on brand perception and current views on brand anthropomorphism. It also provides some guidance as to the exact mechanisms that can be used to build human brands. The findings demonstrated that the human brand is an idea that is real, and one with value for both academics and practitioners, leaving room for much further research. / MT2017

Presently in South Africa, a large number of companies are developing an online presence. For established companies whose brands are already well entrenched in the minds of their consumers, the challenge lies in developing an online site that matches the expectations that consumers have come to rely on from that brand. It is interesting to analyse whether or not top companies employ similar web site design criteria as compared to the runner-up companies. This investigative study researches the application of web site design criteria by 102 leading consumer brand manufacturers in South Africa. Thirty-four objective, marketing-related site design sub-criteria were chosen and subsequently organised into 9 broad categories. These 102 leading manufacturers' sites were separated into leader sites (n=53) and runner-up sites (n=49), with the aim of identifying criteria (if any) that are specifically applied by leader sites as compared to runner-up sites. A quantitative approach was applied in this study. These web sites were checked for the application of each criterion and sub-criterion using content analysis, the results of which were recorded on a data sheet. The generated data was analysed using statistical software and specifically the statistical techniques of t-testing, cluster and discriminant analysis. The cluster analysis showed no difference in the application of web design criteria by leader and runner-up sites. However, the t-test revealed that the navigation and customer support criteria showed the most significant difference in its application between leader and runner-up sites. Discriminant analysis confirmed that navigation and customer support criteria were the most discriminating criteria, and also identified a third criterion of advertising/promotion/publicity. Additional research was undertaken to determine to what extent these three discriminating criteria were actually applied. This involved analysing the mean differences between the 'top 10 vs bottom 10' sites and 'top 30 vs bottom 30' sites. This additional effort further confirmed what was previously determined, that navigation, customer support and advertising/promotion/publicity are the three criteria which demonstrate a significant difference between leader and runner-up sites. This implies that most of the web sites of the top consumer brand manufacturers in South Africa clearly demonstrate application of these three criteria in the web design strategy. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

The evolution of the internet from Web1.0 to Web2.0 ushered in social sharing, and led to the advent of hundreds of social networking tools being used by millions of individuals online. This is the technology on which social networking sites like YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook are based, and is one of the fastest growing segments of the web. These platforms enable both businesses and individuals to connect with each other with the most popular platform being, Facebook; but is this an effective platform to create brand equity? The focus of this study was to examine the behaviour of South African Facebook users, in order to better understand their interactions with brands and companies on this platform. At the time of this study the only research available was the TNS Digital Life Study which was expensive. No other freely available research regarding how South African Facebook users engaged on this platform was available; this presented a gap in the market which heightened the need for the study. Flowing from the aim, thestudy objectives and research instrument was constructed. The sample comprised 532 respondents of which 408 were valid responses; all respondents were South African Facebook users. An electronic questionnaire was created and hosted online at QuestionPro.com and data analysis was completed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The preferred sampling technique utilised was non-probability convenience sampling. The study researched, amongst other objectives, Facebook user interaction across traditional media platforms. It also investigated television advertisement viewing behaviour the findings of which revealed that only 7 percent of respondents ‘Always’ watched television advertisements. The objectives of the study were all met and investigated South African users in terms of their frequency of Facebook access, the duration of time spent on this platform, the technology used to access Facebook, whether users would ‘Like’ a brand and the extent of engagement with brands. Based on the findings it is recommended that Facebook is an effective platform for brands and individuals to interact, and this interaction has an impact on the return on investment for business, and this platform would not replace but enhance traditional marketing tools. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.

Assignment (MEcon)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The field study reported here examined the importance of branding in the low cost retail industry. Two low cost retailers were identified, who sell boys grey school trousers. The one retailer sells the trousers with a brand name, while the other doesn't sell the grey school trousers with a brand name. Sales volumes of both retailers were drawn for a certain period and questionnaires were developed and sent to the different shops to be completed by the customers to determine how important brands were to them. The results of the research indicated that the retailer selling grey school trousers with a brand name sold more units than the retailer selling the grey school trousers without a brand name. Furthermore, the customers indicated that they would buy grey school trousers with a brand name rather than buying grey school trousers without a brand name, / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorsing wat hier gerapporteer word, ondersoek die belangrikheid van handelsmerke in die lae-koste kleinhandel industrie. Twee lae-koste kleinhandelaars is geidentifiseer wat grys skool langbroeke vir seuns verkoop. Die een kleinhandelaar verkoop die grys skoollangbroek met 'n handelsnaam, terwyl die ander kleinhandelaar nie die broek met 'n handelsnaam verkoop nie. Verkoopsvolume data vir 'n sekere periode is van beide kleinhandelaars getrek en vraelyste is ontwikkel en na die winkels gestuur. Die klient moes die vraelys voltooi om te bepaal hoe belangrik handelsmerke vir die klient is. Die resultate van die studie het daarop gedui dat die kleinhandelaar wat die grys skool langbroek met die handelsmerk verkoop, meer eenhede verkoop het as die kleinhandelaar wat die grys skool langbroek sonder handelsmerk verkoop. Verder het die klient aangedui dat die grys skool langbroek met 'n handelsnaam eerder gekoop sal word as 'n grys skoollangbroek sonder handelsmerk.

In essence, aspects of sports marketing can be viewed as a special case of marketing a brand. The brand-related marketing activities of rugby teams should therefore first focus on building awareness of the rugby team's brand. Branding is a new phenomenon in rugby, a sport that has recently become professional and commercialised in South Africa. Despite the importance of brands and consumer perceptions of brands, rugby unions in South Africa have not used a consistent definition or measurement technique to assess spectators' perceptions of rugby brands. If some understanding of spectators' perceptions of brands could be developed, rugby unions in South Africa might be able to determine the brand equity of their sports teams. The determination of brand equity defines what an organisation may be willing to invest in a brand, based on some type of expected return. Brand equity is a set of variables linked to a brand's name and symbol that adds to or subtracts from the value provided by a product or service to a organisation and/or that organisation's customers and can be grouped into four categories, namely brand awareness, brand associations, brand loyalty and perceived quality. By ascertaining spectators' awareness, the associations they make regarding the brands, as well as brand loyalty and perceived quality of the respective brands of the provincial, regional and national rugby teams of South Africa, the brand equity of these teams could be determined. The aim of this study was, therefore, to determine spectators' awareness of, their associations with, their loyalty to and their perceived quality of the respective brands of the provincial, regional and national rugby teams of South Africa so that the brand equity of these teams could be established. In this study it was found that the Stormers' brand had the highest brand awareness, but that the Springbok brand had the highest brand equity. / Business Management / D.COM (Business Management)