Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research assesses the current organisational culture as well as the future preferred organisational culture of a business unit in a large information and communications technology company. In this study the researcher also assesses the management skills and competencies in comparison with the preferred future culture of the organisation. The research is based on the competing values framework of assessing organisational culture. The data was collected using the two instruments, namely the organisational culture assessment instrument and the management skills assessment instrument. These tools are questionnaires, which enabled the researcher to undertake a survey in a business unit. A sample of eight leaders and 72 associates was used to complete the questionnaires. The organisational culture assessment instrument was used to assess and profile the current culture of the organisation as well as the future preferred culture of the organisation. The management skills assessment instrument was used to evaluate the skills and competencies of the leaders in the business unit and the data was statistically analysed to compare the current skills of the leaders to that of the preferred future culture. The research revealed that the skills and competencies of the business unit strongly match the current culture of the organisation, and not the preferred culture. Through these findings, the research established which skills and competencies need to be developed in order to achieve the preferred culture. The research is significant in that it also proved the validity of the theory of competing values and this will contribute to the scholars in the culture and change management studies.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / With limited financial and management resources companies cannot afford to spend resources on every growth opportunity that presents itself, and must therefore continuously rank potential opportunities in order to focus its resources and efforts on the most valuable opportunities. The aim of this study is to develop a system to rank and prioritise new capital projects of mining companies, and specifically Exxaro, which will allow the company to focus its growth efforts on the most valuable opportunities. The literature study firstly examines the use of portfolio management, and particularly the CFA Investment Management Process for ranking investment opportunities. Secondly, various methodologies utilised in the ranking of R&D projects are investigated, providing a guideline for terminology and steps to be used in a capital project ranking system. The project development cycle is also investigated in order to understand the impact of ranking projects that are in different stages of development. Lastly, the utilisation and merits of different financial measures and multi-criteria decision analysis techniques is examined. The literature study emphasised the following principles: Portfolio management is a very structured and formalised process for matching investments with the strategic objectives of an individual or company. The formalised nature of the process ensures that there are clear direction and rigorous criteria for decision making regarding investments, which in turn ensures that resources are spent only on robust investment opportunities. The ranking systems for Research and Development projects emphasised that a ranking system should contain multiple perspectives and criteria in order to comprehensively evaluate all aspects of investment opportunities, but that these perspectives and criteria should not duplicate or overlap in terms of measuring a certain aspect of an opportunity. When rigorous front end loading is applied in the project development process, there is sufficient information to compare and rank projects in different stages of the project development cycle. The financial criteria form a very important part of the ranking criteria and there are various financial criteria utilised to measure the merits of a project. While there are pros and cons to the use of certain criteria, companies should acknowledge and understand the shortcomings of each criteria, the financial aspect of a project measured by each criteria, and ensure that there is no duplication while it utilises the criteria that is well understood and accepted throughout the company. Multiple criteria decision analysis is a comprehensive and structured decision making process which requires the focussed participation of personnel involved in the decisions. The structured process provides a better understanding of the decision to be made, a means to clarify the decision and its implications and the stimulation of discussion and sharing of ideas about the decision and its context. A second part of the research entails qualitative research where interviews were held with four senior mining executives in order to utilise their experience with project ranking systems. The knowledge and understanding gained from the literature study was used to guide the interviews and adapt conversations to specific issues and different points of view. The focus of the interviews was not to obtain statistical data, but rather on having strategic conversations about how project ranking can and should be applied, and to extract inputs from the experience of the interviewees on the design of a ranking system. Findings from the interviews included an emphasis on the importance of guidance from the company strategy in determining perspectives and criteria for project ranking; a requirement to discard unworthy projects as soon as possible via a rigorous filter per commodity; guidance on perspectives and criteria that could be included in the ranking system; the need to firstly rank projects within a commodity before comparing the top projects across commodities; and the need to carefully manage the ranking process in order to ensure that it is included in the annual business process cycle of the company. The knowledge and practical inputs gained from the literature and the strategic conversations were finally applied to Exxaro’s processes and ranking system. Possible reasons for the failure of previous attempts at implementing a ranking system were found to be the lack of a clearly articulated strategy and insufficient involvement of the decision makers in the design of the project ranking system. With the design of a new ranking system, specific perspectives, criteria, filters and templates were designed and a process was suggested to ensure inclusion of the ranking system in the annual business process cycle of Exxaro. In conclusion, a number of suggestions were made for continuous improvement of the project ranking system and its outputs.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 1994. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research attempts to give an alternative conceptual model according to which potential small business owners should construct market and financial viability studies for proposed new small enterprises. A study was made of the theoretical requirements prescribed for market and financial viability. This theoretical requirements were compared to the extent in which data is presented in practice to financial institutions to meet their own viability requirements. Primary data was collected from the subsidiary companies of ABSA Bank and small business owners in the Cape Peninsula. The final analysis suggests that very few small business owners conduct thorough market or financial viability studies during start up or during the different growth phases of their businesses. They rely mostly on banks and other financial institutions for guidance. A suggestion is made that financial institutions conduct their own research to determine whether their requirements for market and financial viability are still viewed as realistic by small business owners. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorsing poog om 'n alternatiewe konsepsuele model weer te gee waarvolgens potensiele kleinsake-eienaars mark- en finansiele lewensvatbaarheidstudies vir voorgenome nuwe klein ondememings behoort uit te voer. 'n Studie is van die voorgeskrewe teoretiese vereistes vir mark- en finansiele lewensvatbaarheid gedoen. Hierdie teoretiese vereistes is vergelyk met die mate waartoe sulke data wel deur kleinsakelui aan finansiele instansies aangebied word om aan hulle eie lewensvatbaarheidvereistes te voldoen. Primere data is versamel by die filiale van ABSA Bank en kleinsake-eienaars in die Kaapse Skiereiland. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat baie min kleinsake-eienaars wel deeglike mark- en finansiele lewensvatbaarheidstudies doen gedurende die aanvang van hul besighede of gedurende die onderskeie groeifases van hul ondernemings. Hulle steun meesal op banke en ander finansiele instellings om leiding te verskaf. Daar word voorgestel dat finansiele instellings ook navorsing doen of die vereistes wat hulle stel vir lewensvatbaarheid, nog steeds as realisties deur kleinsakelui beskou word.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Since gaining independence in 1990, Namibia has enjoyed a fairly stable economic performance, but its heavy reliance on its natural resources, especially its mineral resources, is at times worrisome. Historically, the country has depended primarily on diamond exports as a major source of foreign exchange earnings and state revenue. The contribution of diamond mining to government revenue has over the years declined from a high of N$1493 million in 2002 to the levels of N$821 million in 2007. Similarly, the contribution of diamond mining to the Gross Domestic Product has decline marginally from N$4.59 billion (16.9 percent) in 2006 to N$3.56 billion (13.1 percent) in 2007 respectively. It is evident that there has been a steady, but progressive decline in the proportional contribution of diamonds to the national income in relation to the other sectors of the economy. This decline can however not be directly attributed to a corresponding decline in the diamond production output, but perhaps due to a decline in diamond demand and lower prices. Based on the fact that diamond production and expansion thereof to offshore operations in particular will continue for years to come and still make significant contribution to the Namibia economy, this study attempts to formulate value addition strategies that could lead to the optimisation of the Namibia diamond economy potential, especially local benefication, as well as increased international competitiveness within the established world diamond markets. To this end, it evaluates the intricate supply and demand patterns in the world diamond market to understand how Namibia could position itself. The study found that there is a clear case for local diamond benefication as an economic imperative and that it is a feasible proposition. However, it must be approached cautiously and within a clearly defined and structured framework. It is recommended that Namibia should pursue the benefication of her unique gem quality diamonds in conjunction with external manufacturing experts and marketers in order to secure a bigger stake in the global diamond pipeline. To this end the government needs to formulate clear incentive strategies and packages for investors and also open the playing field for local manufacturers, without compromising existing relations and revenue streams. Furthermore, it is suggested that Namibia strive to maintain an amicable balance between rough exports and local benefication, whilst expanding the regulatory and enabling environment. Other proposals that will support local benefication and competitiveness of the Namibian diamond economy are diamond branding and marketing through already existing diamond marketing pioneers such as DTC International. Finally, Namibia needs to embark upon strategies to urgently increase its skills base and improve the productivity of its labour force in order to achieve the vision of a flourishing diamond benefication sector.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Brands are getting more and more valuable. In this age of cross-border mergers and acquisitions. the value of brands is a key detenninant of a company value and stock market capitalization. For the consumer a brand also plays a significant role. It is seen as a sign of quality, helping them make their purchasing decisions. Yet brand loyalty and established customer relationships can no longer be taken for granted or assumed to last forever in an environment of increased competition. Brand loyalty is vitally dependent on how the relationship between the brand and the consumer is nurtured and specifically developed: A strong brand brings with it the opportunity to raise the proftle of a product and the company that sells it, setting them apart from rivals in the marketplace. A strong brand even allows companies to command a price premium for their products. In this way the value of a brand or brand equity becomes a company's most important asset. But the questions are: How much is the brand actually worth? And how can a brand's value be boosted? The term brand equity originated as a business-financial concept, and consists in "[the] net present value of all future net surpluses over his cash input that the owner of a brand can earn". Such financially oriented measurement of brand equity is a suitable approach for expressing it as a monetary value as required for purposes of financial statements, licensing agreements or acquisition decisions. There is a wide variety of brand valuation models available to detennine a monetary value on brand equity, but in some cases these models are controversial. and the value of their resu1ts as an objective statement may be limited. The consumer oriented perspective on brand equity sets itself apart from the financial approach by focusing on the judgments made by consumers, with a view to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of marketing measures and also brand management on a longterm basis. This behavioural approach endeavours to reach a qualitative explanation of the factors driving brand equity and to determine psychological constructs of brand strength by means of operational measurement. The underlying study project illustrates some of the most common brand valuation models, shows their respective advantages and disadvantages and explores the different approaches to brand equity. Methods to increase brand equity by putting it in the focus ofa Value Based Brand Management explain its drivers and individual brand processes. This approach to a successful brand management is fmally compared with the current brand management process of the FMCG brand NNEA. Recommendations on how this international brand could be managed more efficiently with respect to brand equity conclude this study project. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Handelsmerke raak al hoe meer waardevol. In hierdie eeu van oorgrens-samesmeltings en oornames, is die waarde van 'n handelsmerk 'n sleutelfaktor om 'n maatskappy se waarde en aandelebeurs-kapitalisering te bepaal. Handelsmerke speel ook 'n belangrike rol in die lewe van verbruikers. Dit word beskou as 'n simbool van kwaliteit, 'n hulpmiddel om aankopebesluite te vergemaklik. Nietemin kan lojaliteit teenoor 'n handelsmerk en gevestigede klienteverhoudings nie as vanselfsprekend aanvaar word, of aanvaar word dat dit vir altyd sal aanhou, in 'n omgewing waar kompetisie toeneem nie. Lojaliteit teenoor 'n handelsmerk is in essensie afhanklik van hoe die verhouding tussen die handelsmerk en die verbruiker opgepas en spesifiek ontwikkel word: 'n gevestigde handelsmerk skep die geleentheid om die profiel van 'n produk, asook die relevante maatskappy se profiel, te verhoog - en derhalwe hulle te onderskei van mededingers in die mark. 'n Sterk handelsmerk bring selfs mee dat 'n prys-premie vir produkte gehef kan word. Op die manier word die handelsmerkwaarde of handelsmerk-ekwiteit 'n maatskappy se grootste bate. Maar die vraag is: hoeveel is 'n handelsmerk eintlik werd? Asook, hoe kan 'n handelsmerk se waarde vermeerder word? Die term handelsmerk-ekwiteit het sy oorsprong as 'n besigheidfinansiele konsep en is gewortel in "[die] netto huidige waarde van aIle toekomstige netto surplusse oor die kapitale-insette wat die eienaar van die handelsmerk kan verdien". Bogenoemde finansieel - georienteerde maatstaf van handelsmerk-ekwiteit, is 'n geskikte benadering om dit in monetere waarde uit te druk, soos benodig vir finansiele state, lisensiering-ooreenkomste of oorname besluite. Daar is 'n wye verskeidenheid handelsmerk waardasie modelle beskikbaar om die monetere waarde van handelsmerk-ekwiteit te bepaal, maar in sommige gevalle is die modelle kontroversieel, wat daartoe lei dat die waarde van hulle resultate, as 'n objektiewe waarneming, beperk kan wees. Die verbruiker- georienteerde benadering tot handelsmerk-ekwiteit onderskei homself van die finansiele benadering deur te fokus op die besluite wat gemaak word deur verbruikers, met die oog daarop om bemarkingsmaatstawwe, asook die bestuur van 'n handelsmerk, meer effektief en doeltreffend te maak op 'n langtermyn basis. Hierdie gedragswetenskaplike benadering poog om 'n kwalitatiewe verklaring te gee vir die faktore wat handelsmerkekwiteit dryf en om 'n psigologiese struktuur te gee aan die impak wat 'n handelsmerk het via 'n operasionele maatstaf. Die onderliggende projek iIIustreer die mees aanvaarde waardasie-modelle, asook hulle onderskeie voordele en nadele en ondersoek die verskillende benaderings tot handelsmerkekwiteit. Metodes om handelsmerk-ekwiteit te vermeerder deur dit te benader aan die hand van Waarde-gebaseerde Handelsmerk Bestuur (Value Based Brand Management) gee insig ten opsigte van sy drywers en individuele handelsmerkprosesse. Hierdie benadering tot suksesvolle handelsmerkbestuur word ten slotte vergelyk met die huidige handelsmerkbestuur-prosesse wat deur die FMCG handelsmerk NIVEA gevolg word. Aanbevelings aangaande meer effektiewe bestuur van hierdie internasionale handelsmerk aan die hand van handelsmerk-ekwiteit, sluit hierdie projek af.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Business continuity planning can be defined as the process of developing advance arrangements and procedures that enable an organisation to respond to an event in such a manner that critical business functions will continue with the least interruption or essential change. This study project guides one through an investigation of a business continuity planning project in Media24, a large multi-national corporate based in South Africa. As with most South African companies, Media24 has not done sufficient planning in this regard till now. This study project will describe the methodology followed during this project as well as extracts from interviews conducted with numerous individuals at various management levels in this company. This study project can assist any medium to large South African enterprise who is considering a business continuity planning project. It endeavours to motivate and convince the reader of the unquestionable grounds for business continuity planning in any organisation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gebeurlikheidsbeplanning kan gedefinieer word as die proses om gevorderde reëlings en prosesse in plek te stel om 'n organisasie te bemagtig om te kan reageer op 'n voorval op so 'n manier dat die kritieke besigheidsfunksies kan voortgaan met die kleinste moontlik steuring of onderbreking van hierdie funksies. Hierdie studieprojek lei mens deur die ondersoek van 'n gebeurlikheidsbeplanning-projek wat aangepak was deur Media24, 'n multinasionale firma gebaseer in Suid-Afrika. Soos met meeste Suid-Afrikaanse besighede, het Media24 nog nooit 'n voldoende inisiatief aangepak tot nou nie. Hierdie projek sal die metodologie beskryf wat gevolg is sowel as ekstrakte van vele onderhoude wat gehou is met individue uit verskillende bestuursvlakke in hierdie organisasie. Die doel van hierdie projek is om enige medium tot groot Suid-Afrikaanse organisasie te ondersteun wat gebeurlikheidsbeplanning oorweeg. Dit poog om die leser te motiveer en te oortuig van die onbetwisbare argument vir gebeurlikheidsbeplanning in enige organisasie.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Today's economy demands that organisations' continually change the way they do business. The agility and efficiency with which organisations can implement change are vital in ensuring their continued competitiveness. Unfortunately, people's fear of the unknown results in a natural propensity to resist change. This presents significant challenges that management must overcome in order to implement desired changes to improve organisational efficiencies and overall stakeholder value. This study investigates the importance of employee commitment in implementing workplace change through a review of related literature and the analyses of primary data collected. The data was collected by means of a questionnaire that was sent to all employees within Media24 IT. The findings indicate a strong relationship between commitment and change. Especially one type of commitment displays significant importance with respect to workplace change, i.e. commitment that deals with an employee's emotional attachment to, identification with and involvement in the organisation. Additionally, certain drivers of commitment are investigated and conclusions presented. However, it is recommended that further research might be necessary. This is mainly due to the fact that the primary data collected could be seen as merely a reflection of the situation within a single organisation at a certain period in time. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vandag se ekonomie vereis dat organisasies vooortdurend die wyse waarop hulle besigheid doen, moet verander. Die tempo en doeltreffendheid waarmee organisasies verandering kan implementeer, is van deurslaggewende belang vir hul voortgesette kompeterendheid. Ongelukkig veroorsaak mense se vrees vir die onbekende 'n natuurlike geneigdheid om verandering teen te staan. Dit bied aan bestuur aansienlike uitdagings wanneer gewenste veranderings om organisatoriese doeltreffendheid en belanghebberwaarde te verbeter, geimplemenleer moet word. Hierdie werkstuk ondersoek die belangrikheid van werknemers se toegewydheid ten opsigte van die implementering van verandering by die werkplek deur middel van 'n literatuurstudie en die analise van primere data wat ingesamel is. Die data is deur middel van 'n vraelys wat aan al Media24 IT se personeellede gestuur is, ingesamel. Die bevindings dui 'n sterk verwantskap tussen toegewydheid en verandering aan. Veral een tipe toegewydheid wat handel oor 'n werknemer se emosionele verbintenis tot die organisasie, asook identifikasie met en betrokkenheid by die organisasie, toon 'n sterk invloed op verandering in die werkplek. Addisioneel word sekere drywers van toegewydheid ondersoek en afleidings gemaak. Daar word egter aanbeveel dat verdere navorsing moontlik nodig mag wees. Dit is hoofsaaklik weens die feit dat die primere data wat ingesamel is, gesien kan word as 'n blote weerspieeling van die situasie binne 'n enkele organisasie op 'n gegewe tydstip.