Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Management make use of e-mail as a tool to enable them to do their daily tasks. E-mail is used as one of the best communication channels by management. Sishen Mine also makes use of e-mail as communication channel. The question however is whether e-mail has a positive or negative impact on management effectiveness. The history of e-mail as well as the reasons for e-mail use have been investigated. The different areas of use of email were discussed. Additional to this, the positive effects experienced by the individual as well as companies when using e-mail were highlighted and discussed. Unfortunately e-mail also has negative influences on the individual and the company and these were also highlighted and discussed. Data was obtained from the Sishen e-mail application in order to analyse the use of e-mail by the employees. The key insight from the e-mail application data was that a small group of employees send and receive the majority of e-mail at Sishen. A survey was sent out to all e-mail users at Sishen in order to determine the influence of e-mail on management effectiveness. The survey data enabled a detailed geographic analysis of the e-mail users at Sishen per department, gender, race, age and years of service as well as the details of the respondents. Analysis of the survey data revealed that e-mail has a positive impact on management effectiveness and that Sishen uses e-mail extensively. However, the data also revealed that e-mail impacts negatively on management effectiveness. The key insight from the survey was the extreme low levels of computer and e-mail training done by management. The lack of sufficient e-mail training was seen as one of the major contributing factors of high levels of frustration with e-mail experienced by management. Recommendations were made to Sishen as a result of the study to enable improvement of management effectiveness through the use of e-mail. Implementation of key recommendations with potential key positive impact was also highlighted. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Bestuur gebruik e-pos as 'n gereedskapstuk om uitvoering aan hul take te gee deur middel van die kommunikasiekanaal wat e-pos bied. E-pos leen hom daarna om 'n uitstekende kanaal te wees vir kommunikasie. Sishen Myn gebnuik ook e-pos as 'n kommunikasiekanaal. Die vraag is of die kommunikasiekanaal 'n goeie of slegte invloed het op bestuurseffektiwiteit van die bestuur van die myn. Die geskiedenis van e-pos en die redes vir die gebruik van e-pos is ondersoek. Die verskillende gebruike asook die waarde van e-pos vir die individu en maatskappye is uitgelig. E-pos het ongelukkig ook nadele vir die individu en maatskappye en hierdie nadele is uitgewys en bespreek. Na die toepaslike literatuurstudie is inligting vanaf die e-pos databasis onttrek om die e-pos gebruik van Sishen werknemers te evalueer. Die belangrikste insig vanuit die databasis-ontleding het daarop gedui dat 'n klein hoeveelheid mense die grootste hoeveelheid e-posse binne Sishen stuur en ontvang. 'n Vraelys is tydens 'n meningsopname aan alle e-pos gebruikers binne Sishen uitgestuur om die invloed van e-pos op bestuurseffektiwiteit te bepaal. Vanuit die analise van die vraelys inligting was dit moontlik om geografiese samestelling van die e-pos gebruikers te bepaal. Dit was moontlik om te sien hoeveel werknemers per afdeling, geslag, ras, ouderdom en jare diens e-pos gebruikers is, asook om die besonderhede van die gebruikers vas te stel. Verdere analise van die vraelysinligting het aangedui dat e-pos 'n positiewe uitwerking op bestuurseffektiwiteit het en dat werknemers dit goed gebruik. Ongelukkig het dit ook na vore gekom dat daar genoegsame bewyse is dat daar ook negatiewe invloed op bestuurseffektiwiteit is. Die mees insiggewende was die besonder lae vlakke van rekenaar en e-pos opleiding wat bestuur deurloop het. Dit word gesien as een van die grootste bydraende faktore tot die hoe vlakke van frustrasie wat ervaar word deur bestuur. Vanuit die bevindinge van die vraelys is daar aanbevelings aan Sishen gemaak om sodoende te help om die bestuurseffektiwiteit te bevorder deur die gebruik van e-pos. Die potensiele voordele wat verkry kan word wanneer die aanbevelings implementeer word, is ook aangedui.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research study investigates the impact of different leadership styles on group performance and group cohesiveness within a highly technical environment. A secondary study is conducted to assess the relationship between group performance and group cohesiveness. The literature provides information on the three main topics, namely leadership, performance and cohesiveness. The statistical information was gathered using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, the Teamness Index Questionnaire and the 2008 performance ratings of the technical company. A sample of 16 leaders and 173 raters were used to complete the questionnaires. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to determine the transformational and transactional leadership dimensions of each leader, while the Teamness Index was used to assess the group cohesiveness. The group performance ratings were obtained from the managers of the respective groups. All the data was statistically analysed to determine the relationships between the dependent variables (performance and cohesiveness) and the independent variables (transformational leadership, transactional leadership and cohesiveness). The research revealed that there is a positive correlation between performance and the leadership styles, as well as between group cohesiveness and the leadership styles. The strongest positive correlation was found between performance and group cohesiveness. Although these positive correlations were present, the research found a single significant positive linear relationship through regression analysis between cohesiveness and the transformational leadership style. No other significant relationships could be established through hypotheses testing. This research adds a new dimension to group performance, leadership and group cohesiveness. This research is significant in that no similar research exists within the South African context and it thus adds to the body of leadership knowledge. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die impak van verskillende leierskapstyle op groepprestasie en groepsamehang in 'n hoogs tegniese omgewing. 'n Sekondere ondersoek is gedoen om die verhouding tussen groepprestasie en groepsamehang te bepaal. Die literatuurstudie werp lig op die drie hoofonderwerpe, naamlik leierskap, prestasie en samehang. Die statistiese inligting is ingesamel deur die gebruik van die "Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire", "Teamness Index Questionnaire" en die 2008-prestasiebeoordelings van die tegniese maatskappy. 'n Steekproef van 16 leiers en 173 beoordelaars is gebruik om die vraelys te beantwoord. Die "Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire" is gebruik om vas te stel wat die transformasionele en transaksionele leierskapsdimensies van elke leier is, terwyl die "Teamness Index" die groepsamehang bepaal het. Die groepprestasiebeoordelings is van die bestuurders van die onderskeie groepe verkry. Al die data is op 'n statistiese wyse geanaliseer om die verhoudings tussen die afhanklike veranderlikes (prestasie en samehang) en die onafhanklike veranderlikes (transformasionele leierskap, transaksionele leierskap en samehang) te bepaal. Hierdie studie het bevind dat daar 'n positiewe korrelasie bestaan tussen prestasie en leierskapstyle, en ook tussen groepsamehang en leierskapstyle. Die sterkste positiewe korrelasie is tussen prestasie en groepsamehang bespeur. Selfs al is hierdie positiewe korrelasies geidentifiseer, kon slegs 'n enkele betekenisvolle positiewe liniêre verhouding vasgestel word tussen groep samehang en transformasionele leierskapstyl. Geen ander betekenisvolle verhoudings kon deur die toetsing van die hipotese vasgestel word nie. Die ondersoek voeg 'n nuwe dimensie tot groepprestasie, leierskap en groepsamehang. Die studie is betekenisvol omdat daar geen ander soortgelyke studie in 'n Suid Afrikaanse raamwerk bestaan nie, en dus dra dit by tot die leierskapskennisgebied.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Kenya has historically depended on its coffee industry as a major contributor to foreign exchange earnings and farm incomes. Between 1975 and 1986, coffee was Kenya's leading foreign exchange earner, contributing over 40 percent of total foreign exchange earnings. But since 1988, the Kenya coffee industry has undergone a rapid decline, characterised by very low export earnings, a huge decrease in production and productivity and consequently, increased poverty amongst coffee farmers. By 2000, it contributed only 10 percent of total foreign exchange earnings. This decline has arisen due to the global coffee crisis, in other words, the persisting large imbalance between supply (production) and demand (consumption), that has led to a major collapse in world coffee prices. Given the fact that the coffee crisis is expected to persist for several years to come, this study attempts to formulate coffee industry proposals that would lead to the optimisation of Kenya's coffee potential, as well as increased international competitiveness. Towards this end, it evaluates the intricate supply and demand patterns in the world coffee market to try to identify where the opportunities lie. It is found that even though the overall demand for coffee is growing slowly, there is an emerging niche or specialty coffee market that has arisen owing to new consumption patterns and increased awareness and preference by consumers of premium coffee origins. This niche market offers a route to rising standards of living to farmers, such as those in Kenya, who grow premium quality coffees. It is recommended that Kenya should pursue intense value addition of her coffee to enable her capture a bigger portion of her export sales. Similarly, Kenya will need to alter her production and marketing strategy to feed the emerging niche market instead of the mainstream market, as is currently the case. Furthermore, it is suggested Kenya should strive to increase domestic consumption, which is currently negligible. Other proposals that will support increased competitiveness of Kenya's coffee industry include reducing the cost of coffee production and improving the efficiency and performance of producer organisations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kenia is baie afhanklik van hul koffie-industrie aangesien dit 'n wesenlike bydrae tot die land se buitelandse valuta en binnelandse boerdery-inkomste lewer. Tussen 1975 en 1986 het koffie die meeste buitelandse valuta vir Kenia gegenereer. Hierdie prestasie kon egter nie volgehou word nie en sedert 1988 het Kenia se koffie-industrie agteruit geboer. Hierdie tydperk is gekenmerk deur verlaagde uitvoerverdienstes, en afnames in produksie en produktiwiteit wat grootskaalse armoede onder koffieboere teweeg gebring het. In 2000 het koffie-uitvoere slegs 10 persent van Kenia se buitelandse verdienstes bygedra. Hierdie negatiewe tendens is veroorsaak deur die globale koffiekrisis, oftewel die wanbalans tussen vraag (verbruik) en aanbod (produksie), wat internasionale koffiepryse tot baie lae vlakke gedryf het. Aangesien dit blyk asof die globale koffiekrisis vir nog 'n hele paar jaar sal aanhou, gaan hierdie navorsingsprojek poog om voorstelle vir Kenia se koffie-industrie te formuleer. Die voorstelle is gemik op die optimalisering van Kenia S8 koffie-industrie en om die land in staat te stel om internasionaal te kompeteer. Die navorsing evalueer ook die heersende intrinsieke patrone van vraag en aanbod in die wereld koffiemark en probeer om geleenthede te identifiseer. Dit is byvoorbeeld bevind dat alhoewel die totale vraag na koffie wereldwyd stadig toeneem, daar ontluikende nismarkte vir spesiale koffies onstaan het as gevolg van nuwe verbruikspatrone, asook 'n toenemende bewustheid van top gehalte koffie. Dit is veral verbruiksvoorkeure vir topgehalte koffie van 'n spesifieke gebied van oorsprong wat baie relevant is vir Kenia en dit is juis hierdie nismarkte wat 'n guide geleentheid bied aan Kenia se topgehalte koffieboere. Dit word dus aanbeveel dat Kenia op waardetoevoeging tot hul bestaande koffiebronne fokus, wat groter buitelandse valuta teweeg kan bring. Kenia sal egter hul produksie- en bemarkingstrategiee dienooreenkomstig moet aanpas om die fokus van die hoofstroom koffiemark na die ontluikende nismarkte te skuil. 'n Verdere voorstel is dat Kenia sy plaaslike koffie-verbruik vergroot en stimuleer aangesien dit tans baie laag is. Ander voorstelle wat Kenia se mededigingsvermoe in die koffiemark kan verbeter, sluit in inisiatiewe om produksiekostes te verlaag, asook om die effektiwiteit en prestasie van produsente-organisasies ta verbeter.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The sustainable growth rate of a company is investigated, by comparing the self-financeable growth rate as defined by Churchill and Mullins (2001), with the cash flow sustainable growth rate as defined by Hamman (1996). The purpose of this research is to identify the behaviour, characteristics and benefits that each rate displays by investigating changes in sales growth, profit margins, working capital and cash flow analysis. The biggest difference between the self-financeable growth rate (Churchill & Mullins, 2001) and the cash flow sustainable growth rate (Hamman, 1996) is the definition of cash as generated from sales (self-financeable growth rate) and cash generated from operating activities (cash flow sustainable growth rate). Cash generated from sales includes accounts receivable or payable, and represents the amount of cash that is available to reinvest in the growth of a company (according to the self-financeable growth rate). Because this cash (calculated for the self-financeable growth rate) is not immediately realised, the cash flow sustainable growth rate (based on cash flow from operating activities) represents a better measurement of cash available for reinvestment. If the percentage sales growth is less than the cash flow sustainable growth rate (Hamman, 1996), a positive sustainable cash flow from operating activities will be generated. The report also shows this to be true, when the self-financeable growth rate is less than or equal to the cash flow sustainable growth rate. When the growth in sales exceeds the cash flow sustainable growth rate, negative cash flow from operating activities is experienced. This is an indication that internal funding to support the working capital requirements is insufficient and external funding is required. In this investigation the self-financeable growth rate (Churchill & Mullins, 2001), always reflects a positive cash flow from operating activities, regardless of whether the percentage sales growth is higher or lower than that of the self-financeable growth rate. This leads to the question: What check is used to ascertain a company's sustainable performance when using the self-financeable growth rate? That is, if the self-financeable growth rate is exceeded by the sales growth, what indicator becomes relevant under the specific circumstances? As highlighted by Churchill and Mullins (2001), the benefits of sustainable growth rates, provide insight into the short and long-term decisions in a company with regards to: • Reducing overall costs • Changing the profit margins • Managing the working capital requirements • Changing the operating cash cycle. What matters most is not how fast a company can grow its business, but the way in which it is managed. Increasing competitiveness requires innovative ways of optimising resources, but without efficient management of cash flow, a company is most likely to fail. This report, illustrates that, compared to the self-financeable growth rate, the cash flow sustainable growth rate is a more effective tool, in addressing sustainable growth and the management of cash. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Maatskappy se volhoubare groeikoers word ondersoek deur 'n vergelyking te tref tussen die self-gefinansierde groeikoers van Churchill en Mullins (2001), en die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers van Hamman (1996). Die doel van die navorsing, is om die verandering in verkope, winsgrense, bedryfskapitaal en die kontantvloei ontleding te ondersoek, ten einde die aard, kenmerke en voordele van die groeikoerse te bepaal. Die grootste verskil tussen die self-gefinansierde groeikoers van Churchill en Mullins (2001), en die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers van Hamman (1996) is die definisie van die kontant gegenereer uit verkope (self-gefinansierde groeikoers) en die kontant gegenereer uit bedryfsaktiwiteite (kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers). Kontant gegenereer uit verkope sluit in rekeninge ontvangbaar of betaalbaar en verteenwoordig die bekikbaarheid van kontant wat herbele kan word in 'n maatskappy se groei (volgens die self-gefinansierde groeikoers). Omdat die kontant (self-gefinansierde groeikoers) nie ommiddelik gerealiseer kan word nie, is die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers (kontant gegenereer uit bedryfsaktiwiteite) 'n beter verteenwoordiger van beskikbare kontant wat herbele kan word. As die presentasie groei in verkope minder is as die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers (Hamman, 1996) sal 'n positiewe volhoubare kontantvloei vir bedryfsaktiwiteite gegenereer word. Die verslag dui aan dat bogenoemde ook geld, as die self-gefinansierde groeikoers kleiner of gelyk is aan die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers. Wanneer die groei in verkope groter word as die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers, word negatiewe kontantvloei vir bedryfsaktiwiteite gegenereer. Hierdie is 'n aanduiding dat die interne befondsing wat benodig word om die bedryfskapitaal te bevredig, nie voldoende is nie en eksterne befondsing benodig word. In hierdie ondersoek reflekteer die self-gefinansierde groeikoers (Churchill & Mullins, 2001) altyd 'n positiewe kontantvloei vir bedryfsaktiwiteite, ongeag of die groei in verkope groter of kleiner is as die van die self-gefinansierde groeikoers. Dit lei tot die volgende vraag: Watter maatslaf word gebruik om die volhoubare groei van 'n maatskappy te bepaal as die self-gefinansierde groeikoers toegepas word? Anders gestel, as die groei in verkope, die self-gefinansierde groeikoers oorskry, watter toepaslike aanduiding is relevant onder hierdie omstandighede? Soos beklemloon deur Churchill en Mullins (2001), gee die voordele van volhoubare groeikoerse, insig in kort en langtermyn besluite in 'n maatskappy met betrekking tot: • Vermindering van totale koste • Verandering in winsgrense • Bestuur van bedryfskapitaal behoeftes • Verandering in die bedryfs kontant siklus. Wat van belang is, is nie hoe vinnig 'n maatskappy kan groei nie, maar wat die beste manier is, om dit te bestuur. 'n Verhoging in kompetisie, benodig innoverende maniere om bronne te kan optimiseer en sonder effektiewe betuur van kontant, bestaan die moontlikheid dat 'n maatskappy hierin kan misluk. Hierdie verslag illuslreer, deur te vergelyk met die van die self-gefinansierde groeikoers, dat die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers 'n beter, effektiewe maatstaf is, wat betref die adressering van volhoubare groei en die bestuur van kontant.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Private equity has been dominating the news recently both as an asset class and a tool to facilitate market efficiency in South Africa. Many private equity funds have had good returns in recent times. However, many pension funds still shun away from this asset class, mainly due to lack of understanding of the risk inherent in this asset class, and in its potential overall risk diversifying characteristics. Regulation 28 of the Pension Fund Act, prescribes maximum allocation of five percent to unlisted assets and that includes private equity as an asset class. One of the reasons why investors don't understand this asset class is the lack of comparable data relative to the listed asset classes such as listed equities and listed bonds. From these asset classes, people get data on a daily basis and they are able to understand the daily prices and values of their portfolio. They can also try to value the individual stocks within their portfolio by using variables such as price earnings ratio and dividend yields, as that information is freely available. This research tries to use the listed private equity companies to establish a Private Equity Index. The criteria used are the same as the ones used by Bilo, Christophers, Degosciu and Zimmennann (2004) when they created a Listed Private Equity Index (LPE), which is made up of 114 global listed private equity companies mainly from Europe and North America. The South African Index was created from six companies, and even though the sample looks small, the results were good enough to justify further studies on the same line and to encourage more listings of these types of companies. The Index was then analysed using modem portfolio analysis and optimisation tools to understand the risk and return characteristics of this asset class and how it behaves when blended with other asset classes. The results suggest that this asset class is under allocated and there is a need to create a more representable index even on an IRR basis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Privaataandele het onlangs die nuus oorheers, beide as 'n bateklas sowel as 'n instrument om die markdoeltreffendheid in Suid-Afrika te fasiliteer. Talle privaataandeelfondse het onlangs goeie opbrengste opgelewer. Baie pensioenfondse skram egter steeds weg van hierdie bateklas, hoofsaaklik weens 'n kennisgebrek van die risiko wat inherent is aan die bateklas en die potensiele risikoverskansing wat die bateklas bied. Regulasie 28 van die Pensioenfondswet vereis dat 'n maksimumtoewysing van vyf persent in ongenoteerde bates bele mag word en dit sluit privaataandele as 'n bateklas in. Een van die redes hoekom beleggers nie hierdie bateklas verstaan nie, is weens 'n gebrek aan vergelykbare data met die genoteerde bateklasse soos genoteerde aandele en genoteerde verbande. Uit hierdie bateklasse verkry mense inligting op 'n daaglikse basis en is hulle in staat om die daaglikse pryse en waardes van hul portefeuljes te verstaan. Hulle kan ook probeer om die afsonderlike gevolge binne hul portefeuljes te begryp deur veranderlikes soos prys inkomsteverhouding en dividendopbrengste te evalueer, soos wat die inligting beskikbaar raak. Hierdie navorsing poog om genoteerde privaataandeelmaatskappye te gebruik om 'n privaataandeelindeks daar te stel. Die maatstawwe wat gebruik word, is dieselfde as die wat Bilo, Christopbers, Degosciu en Zimmennann (2004) gebruik het toe bulle 'n Genoteerde Privaataandeel-indeks (GPA) daargestel bet, waarin 114 genoteerde privaataandeelmaatskappye wereldwyd uit hoofsaaklik Europa en Noord-Amerika gebruik is. Die Suid-Afrikaanse Indeks is saamgestel uit ses maatskappye en hoewel die steekproef klein blyk te wees, was die eindresultaat voldoende bevredigend om verdere navorsing volgens dieselfde riglyne te regverdig en om die notering van meer sulke maatskappye aan te moedig. Die indeks is vervolgens ontleed aan die hand van moderne portefeulje-ontledings tegnieke om die risiko en opbrengste van hierdie bateklas te verstaan en hoe dit reageer wanneer dit met ander bateklasse vermeng word. Die resultate dui daarop dat hierdie bateklas onvoldoende onderskryf is, maar dat daar 'n nodigheid bestaan om 'n meer verteenwoordigende indeks selfs op 'n interne opbrengskoers grondslag daar te stel.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2010. / Purpose: The aim of this research is to establish an IT outsourcing framework to enable SITA to consider key IT outsourcing elements to provide the required IT outsourcing or similar services to its customers to better fulfil its mandate as outlined in the SITA Act and other related legislation. Design/methodology/approach: The information gathered from various literature sources was analysed, evaluated and assessed to determine trends, lessons learnt and pitfalls of IT outsourcing, and IT mergers and acquisitions to develop an IT outsourcing framework and approach. Findings: The IT outsourcing framework for SITA consists of customer value drivers (motivating factors), governance model, engagement and supplier management model, and business model as the key IT outsourcing elements that SITA must consider to successfully provide the required IT outsourcing or similar services to its customers to improve its credibility. Research limitations/implications: To extend this research, more work is necessary to assess each element of the framework to determine specific actions that must be taken to leverage on economies of scale, improve productivity and IT capability within Government departments. Practical implications: This framework is intended to provide SITA with guidelines and an approach that may be used to successfully respond to the customers requests respond to the IT operations of its customers or to collaborate with the customer in providing its IT outsourcing services. Originality/value: This research will contribute towards establishing the best practices for agencies like SITA to successfully provide IT outsourcing services to Government.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The National Credit Act came into being on the 1st of June 2007 and besides its other objectives was intended to make credit more accessible to all South Africans, to stop unreasonable practices by lenders and to protect consumers against reckless lending. This research study investigates the credit environment for the period since the implementation of the Act up to the fourth quarter of 2009 to determine whether South African credit users are indeed better off or whether we are heading for a credit crisis. A literature review was conducted to investigate the extension of credit to households during the period under review and to investigate consumers’ ability and willingness to repay their debt. Due to the global and local financial crisis that happened during this period and the losses and wealth destruction that ensued, the research was extended to consider the influence of the macroeconomic situation on the debtors’ ability to honour their debt commitments. To determine whether South African households are heading for a credit crisis the researcher reviewed literature relating to the financial vulnerability of households, the application of their monthly disposable income, the main reasons for entering into credit agreements, and lastly the extent of over indebtedness. The findings indicate that credit has indeed become more accessible to all South Africans as the number of credit active consumers continued to increase from quarter to quarter. With regards to the cost of credit and the minimum qualifying criteria, credit also became more accessible as individuals earning as little as R1 500 per month became eligible for credit and store cards that used to be exclusive to higher income earners. During the period under review the standing of credit active consumers continued to deteriorate with only 54% of credit active users classified as current at the end of the period, almost 10% lower than before the implementation of the act. It was also found that macroeconomic influences from around the world had a real influence on the ability of credit active consumers to honour their financial commitments. Increased interest rates, inflation, higher transport and energy costs, unemployment and many other factors influenced the income available for and the ability to repay debt over the period under review. Lastly it was found that households are increasingly vulnerable to any changes in their income, expenses, savings or debt position. It is increasing to such an extent that more than 50% of all credit active consumers surveyed during a previous study admitted to borrowing in order to re-pay debt and that a relatively large percentage of users are committed to debt repayments for more than 100% of their monthly income. These findings support the opinion that a credit crisis is on the loom in the South African credit industry. Due to the relatively short period covered by the research stretches and the multitude of income groups and credit agreements included, more research is needed to make specific recommendations to improve the position of credit active consumers. The challenges facing the industry are further complicated by the need credit and other needs of the lower income earners, the required price-for-risk-policies of credit providers and the low levels of financial education amongst users. All three these themes require more research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Nasionale Kredietwet wat op 1 Junie 2007 in werking getree het het onder meer ten doel gehad om krediet meer toeganklik te maak vir alle Suid Afrikaners, om onbillike praktyke deur krediegewers stop te sit en om gebruikers te beskerm teen roekelose kredietverlening. Hierdie navorsing verken die kredietomgewing vir die tydperk sedert inwerkingtreding van die wet tot en met vierde kwartaal van 2009 ten einde vas te stel of Suid Afrikaanse gebruikers inderdaad beter daaraan toe is, en of ons afstuur op n krediet krisis. ‘n Literatuurstudie is onderneem om die toestaan van die verskillende tipes huishoudelike krediet tydens hierdie termyn te ondersoek, sowel as die gebruikers daarvan se gewilligheid en vermoë om hul maandelikse skuldverpligtinge na te kom. Vanwee die ernstige finansiële krisis wat tydens hierdie periode in die wêreld en in Suid Afrika grootskaalse verliese en welvaartsvernietiging tot gevolg gehad het, is die literatuurstudie uitgebrei om ook oorweging te gee aan die invloed van hierdie gebeure op skuldenaars se vermoë om hul skuldverpligtinge te diens. Ten einde vas te stel of Suid Afrikaanse huishoudings afstuur op ‘n kredietkrisis het die navorser literatuur bestudeer rakende die finansiële kwesbaarheid al dan nie van huishoudings, die aanwending van hul beskikbare inkomste, die redes vir huishoudings om geld te leen en laastens die omvang van gebruikers wat meer veskuldig is as wat hulle kan bekostig. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat krediet weliswaar meer toeganklik is vir alle Suid Afrikaners aangesien die aantal krediet gebruikers gedurende die tydperk van kwartaal tot kwartaal gegroei het. Wat betref die koste daarvan en die minimum vereistes daarvoor het krediet ook meer toeganklik geword, en kwalifiseer individue wat so min as R1 500 per maand verdien nou vir kreditkaarte en winkel krediet wat voorheen net beskore was vir die hoër inkomste groepe. Tydens hierdie periode het die status van kredietgebruikers verder verswak en het die persentasie kredietgebruikers wat op datum is met hul verpligtinge so laag as 54% gedaal; bykans 10% minder as voor die inwerkingtreding van die wet. Daar is verder bevind dat makro ekonomiese toestande in die res van die wêreld en Suid Afrika ‘n daadwerklike invloed het op die vermoë van kredietgebruikers om hul skuldverpligtinge na te kom. Stygende rentekoerse, inflasie, duurder vervoer en energiekoste, werkloosheid en vele ander faktore het die kontant beskikbaar vir en die vermoë om skuld te delg baie nadelig geraak oor heirdie tydperk. Laastens is bevind dat huishoudings toenemend kwesbaar is vir enige veranderinge in hul inkomste, uitgawe, spaar of skuld verpligtinge. Soveel-so dat meer as 50% van alle gebruikers van krediet erken dat hulle by tye geld geleen het om ander skuld te betaal, en dat ‘n beduidelnde persentasie gebruikers tot meer as 100% van hul besteebare inkomste verbind is vir maandelikse terugbetalings. Bogenoemde bevindinge ondersteun die opinie dat daar n dreigende krisis in die Suid Afrikaanse kredietomgewing is. Aangesien hierdie navorsing beperk is tot ‘n relatiewe kort termyn en dit ‘n groot spektum van inkomstegroepe en kredietooreenkomste dek, is verdere navorsing nodig om spesifieke aanbevelings te maak ten einde Suid Afrikaanse kredietgebruikers in ‘n beter posisie te plaas. Die uitdagings in die industrie word verder gekompliseer deur die krediet en ander behoeftes van laer inkomstegroepe, die noodsaaklikheid vir uitleners om hul produkte te prys vir die inherente risikos wat daaraan gebonde is en die lae vlak van finansiële opleiding onder gebruikers. Al drie hierdie temas benodig verdere navorsing.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / Physical asset management has been given very little consideration in the commercial property industry in South Africa and abroad. In the production environment, especially where fast moving consumer goods are concerned, slight improvements in production equipment performance can bring about large savings and increased profits. In the commercial property environment however, a physical asset management strategy and all the components which constitute such a system, are not yet very well developed and are usually seen to be an unnecessary financial expenditure. A change of thinking has been confirmed by this study and can be seen in the way in which physical asset management and methodologies have already largely been accepted in the international municipal infrastructure environment, including buildings and structures. A desire to remain competitive and reduce unnecessary losses, together with a new focus on environmental concerns and legislative factors, appears to be the catalyst for such a shift in thinking. Punitive legislation, such as the electrical consumption controls for buildings in South Africa, likely to be introduced soon, will also help to steer commercial property owners and managers towards a more strategic view on how they manage their physical assets. An important component of this research report was to determine whether performance measures are being used to measure the effectiveness of the physical assets and strategy in terms of the commercial property industry. In the context of this study however, very few such measures could be found, besides some financial measures. As a more strategic physical asset management approach is adopted, performance measures for all aspects of facility and asset performance will become necessary and therefore more common place. "When you measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it ... otherwise your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind; it may be the beginning of knowledge, but you have scarcely in thought advanced to the stage of science." - Lord Kelvin (1824- 1907). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit wil voorkom asof fisiese batebestuur in Suid Afrika en oorsee min aandag geniet in die kommersiele eiendoms bestuursmark. In die produksie omgewing, veral waar vinnig bewegende gebruiksgoedere betrokke is, kan klein verheteringe in die werking van produksie toerusting daartoe lei dat groot besparings en gevolglik verbeterde winsopbrengs behaal kan word. In die eiendoms bestuursmark is fisiese batebestuur strategie en die gepaardgaande komponente nag nie volledig ontwikkel nie en word dit gewoonlik beskou as 'n onnodige finansiele koste. Daar is egter alreeds 'n verandering in denke, $005 gesien kan word deur die baie fisiese batebestuur made lie wat alreeds aanvaar is deur die internasionale munisipaliteit en infrastruktuur marke, wat geboue en structure insluit. 'n Strewe om voortdurend kompeterend te bly en om onnodige vermorsing uit te sny, tesame met 'n nuwe fokus op omgewingsake asook om aan wetlike vereistes te voldoen, blyk om die katalisator te wees vir hierdie verandering in denkswyse en dit sal gevolglik oak veroorsaak dat kommersieHe eiendomseienaars 'n meer strategiese benadering gaan toe pas in terme van die bestuur van hulle fisiese bates. 'n Belangrike deel van die verslag was om te bepaal watter aanwysers en maatstawwe om die doeltreffendheid van die fisiese bates en strategie in terme van kommersieHe eiendom te meet, gebruik word. In die konteks van hierdie verslag kon daar min bewyse van maatstawwe gevind word, behalwe vir finansiele maatstawwe. As 'n meer strategiese benadering tot fisiese batebestuur aanvaar word, sal aanwysers en maatstawwe vir al die komponente van fasiliteit en fiesiese batebestuur belangrik wees en daarvolgens oak meer algemeen word in die industrie. "When you measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it ... otherwise your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind; it may be the beginning of knowledge, but you have scarcely in thought advanced to the stage of science." - Lord Kelvin (1824-1907).

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

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