Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / There is no doubt as to the important role of small businesses in the creation of employment and development of the South African economy. Unfortunately support services for the small business are generally hard to come by and expensive if not sponsored by government, an NGO or corporate entity. For the small business owner who has been operating for a number of years and knows what is required to operate successfully, it is difficult and time consuming to find an affordable solution. This paper aimed to find a business model framework that would bring support services closer to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the services industry in South Africa. It must have the capability to relieve an SME of resource-intensive support burdens (administrative and otherwise) and thereby allow an increased focus on its core service-delivery value proposition. Based on systems theory it is safe to say that all entities in the economy are somehow interrelated and exert some influence on each other. It is therefore well within reason to conclude that the output of this research could be beneficial to SMEs on the supply- and demand- side of the service industry. For the purpose of this report, an SME was defined as a company that had the following characteristics: active owner involvement on all levels, a relatively small market share, had a staff complement of between 3 and 50 employees and provided a service (i.e. solving a problem). In creating an appropriate solution, it was important to understand the target audience, the business owner, much better. The data source for this research was the data gathered during the Finscope South Africa Small Business Survey 2010. Underlying the research was a hybrid approach that utilised both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The data was gathered throughout South Africa by means of a structured questionnaire created by a team of experts. It focused on measuring specific perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of SMEs and SME owners. A multi-sided platform or catalyst showed the most potential for satisfying the need to reduce the barriers between SMEs and service providers. A catalyst has three primary activities – building, stimulating and governing. These activities create and sustain a successful catalytic reaction and partnership. The research provided a wide range of South African SME and owner characteristics that were most beneficial in developing a business model framework.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / This research study analyses the market potential for the Floppy Sprinkler irrigation system in the global market. It explores the global irrigation market and its environment to identify the driving forces that influence the industry as well as the potential that Floppy Sprinkler could unleash as a competitor. The researcher assesses the industry value chain to determine the fit and alliance opportunities for Floppy Sprinkler in the value chain. The study further analyses the competitive pressures influencing the competitive environment. Applied research is used in this study to gain a comprehensive understanding of the market. Acknowledged diagnostic models in the field of strategic management were used to guide the study. These included the PESTLE analysis to evaluate the macro-environment of the agriculture sector; the value chain analysis to assess the agricultural industry value chain; Porter’s Five Forces Model to analyse the competitive pressures for Floppy Sprinkler; and the SWOT analysis to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The relevant data were collected through both primary and secondary sources. Two questionnaires were designed, the first to industry specialists in the agriculture sector with the purpose to gain insight of the irrigation and agriculture environment; and the second to Floppy Sprinkler irrigation system users, with the purpose to obtain a rating, opinion and relevance of the product in the market. The research disclosed that forces within the macro environment influence the industry significantly. These specifically revolved around climate change, water scarcity, land availability, soil degradation, population growth and changing lifestyles. The value chain analysis revealed that opportunities exist in the agriculture industry to create horizontal and vertical alliances to strengthen Floppy Sprinkler’s position in the market. Competitive pressures in the market include direct competitors of Floppy Sprinkler, as well as the bargaining power of suppliers and buyers. Threat of new entrants and substitute products are not perceived to be immediate competitive pressures for Floppy Sprinkler owing to its cutting-edge technology, which offers a distinctive competitive advantage. Finally, opportunities were identified, which served as recommendations for Floppy Sprinkler in developing its strategy.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Throughout the years, organisations were known for only reporting on their financial position, but due to stakeholders becoming more informed about the sustainability crisis, organisations realised the importance of moving away from only reporting on financial information and are now also including information about the impact of their activities on the society and environment in which they operate in sustainability reports. King II stipulated that organisations should produce a sustainability report during their reporting period, while King III recommends integrated reporting. Integrated reporting suggests that both the annual and sustainability report should be published at the same time. As a result, King III places a lot of emphasis on the alignment risk, performance, strategy and sustainability. This allows the integrated report to supply all stakeholders with forward looking information, as well as strategic direction. The purpose for this research is to evaluate the extent to which organisation in the banking industry disclose information about their strategy. Information were gathered and analysed to determine where aspects of strategy are disclosed at an above average to excellent level or whether strategy disclosure were lacking or below average. This study specifically focussed on information disclosed in the 2010 annual and sustainability reports of organisations in the banking industry such as Absa, Investec, Nedbank, Standard Bank and FirstRand. The study concluded that the level of disclosure for strategic information in annual and sustainability reports for organisations in the banking industry, is average at 53 percent.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research is to gain insight into the personalities of marketers and to identify a benchmark personality profile for a marketer in professional service industries. In order to accomplish this, the personality traits required when performing the general marketing role, as well as the personality tests to measure the identified traits, were investigated. A best-fit profile was then selected by matching these traits. The variations in the marketing role between the professional services and the goods industry were then investigated in order to adapt the profile for the specific traits required by professional service industries. The Myers Briggs Type Indicator and 16 Personality Factor scales were identified as the main tests and selected to measure the desired traits for the profile. Additional tests were identified to test for high levels of creativity, high levels of tolerance for ambiguity, strong internal locus of control, high need for achievement, high levels of emotional intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit. When comparing the traits required by the boundary spanning, entrepreneurial role of marketers inside organisations, with the descriptions of each of the 16 Myers Briggs types, the Extrovert, Instinctive, Thinking, Perceiving (ENTP) type was identified as the best-fit profile. A corresponding 16PF profile was constructed and compared using correlations between the two scales. No clashing personality traits could be identified when investigating the mainly relational marketing role requirements of the professional services industries. Replacement of the ENTP type was therefore not justified. Additional traits related to ‘loyalty’ and ‘trust’ were added as further advantages and an investigation into the Myers Briggs type theory identified ways of evaluating it. The subsequent theoretical profile and descriptions were then sent to experienced and practised marketers in the professional services industry, asking them to provide feedback regarding the personality traits of the theoretical profile and the methods followed. Feedback was provided by means of a Likert scale multiple-choice survey that was hosted online as well as private email conversations. The feedback was mostly positive and responses corresponded with the theoretical model with the exception of two specific personality traits of the 16PF in question that opposed the model. Personality tests can serve as a starting point for constructive discussions of individual behaviour and performance of current employees. These tests can be used for coaching, career counselling, conflict resolution, team and organisational development and to predict employee-role "fit". The tests and results can help provide a framework for assessing the ways that different individual personalities contribute to the behaviours that impact performance in the workplace.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the world of business today, the reputation of an organisation matters tremendously. After the global financial crisis in 2008-2009, it has never been more difficult for organisations to maintain a positive reputation. The past decade differs from previous ones, as rules and regulations enforced by regulatory bodies are more rigid, public criticism and expectations are greater and the emotional contracts between employees and leadership are not as strong as they once were. The financial services industry, in South Africa and abroad, has been inundated by unethical behaviour and the global downturn has exacerbated this problem. In light of the revelations that have come to pass worldwide, the magnifying glass has been firmly fixed on companies operating within the financial services sector. The crisis has led to numerous companies questioning and reviewing their own compliance and organisational practices to establish whether they are ethical. In the South African financial services industry there has been a war raging among organisations fighting for market share. With the increased competition levels among businesses, there is a desire to find new and creative ways of achieving competitive advantage. Business ethics, therefore, has become essential in the conducting of any type of business. The competitive advantage of business ethics revolves around the building of relationships with organisational stakeholders based on its integrity, which will maintain these relationships. By establishing an ethics programme, an organisation could enable the management of business ethics in the workplace. Ethics programmes often convey the values of the organisation, making use of policies and codes to guide behaviour and the decision-making process of stakeholders. These programmes could be used, during turbulent times, to maintain a moral path, especially when leaders require a clear moral compass for guidance. This moral compass function is also very helpful for new employees, as they may need to be familiarised with ethically correct behaviour within the organisation that aligns with its values. If employees are satisfied with the ethics programme, it could work as a mechanism to stimulate productivity, teamwork and to motivate personnel. A study was conducted within a private sector organisation in the South African financial services industry with a focus on evaluating the effectiveness of their ethics programme. The findings from the fieldwork established that the ethics programme of the organisation was found to be highly effective, as perceived by both employees and directors. An effective ethics programme means that the ethical culture of the organisation is strong. The findings serve to confirm that, by monitoring the key variables that play an important role in predicting the effectiveness of ethics programmes, organisations can achieve a positive result by knowing what the impact of potentially harmful behaviour can have on the ethical climate and culture. The findings also serve to confirm that an effective ethics programme can become a source of competitive advantage if engaged correctly by the entire organisation. This study may be used to argue that sound business ethics and ethics programmes can be viewed as a new competitive advantage that organisations require for long-term sustainability and business success. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In vandag se sakewêreld is die reputasie van ’n organisasie geweldig belangrik. Sedert die globale finansiële krisis in 2008-2009 is dit vir organisasies moeiliker as ooit om ’n positiewe reputasie te handhaaf. Die afgelope dekade is anders as die voriges omdat reëls en regulasies wat deur reguleringsliggame afgedwing word, meer rigied is, openbare kritiek en verwagtinge groter is, en die emosionele kontrakte tussen werknemers en leierskap nie meer so sterk is as vroeër nie. Die bedryf van finansiële dienste – in Suid-Afrika en in die buiteland – is erg geteister deur onetiese gedrag, en die globale insinking het dié probleem vererger. In die lig van onthullings wat wêreldwyd plaasvind, word die vergrootglas ferm gerig op maatskappye wat binne-in die finansiëledienste-sektor sake doen. Die krisis het tot gevolg gehad dat talle maatskappye hul eie reëlnakoming en organisatoriese praktyke bevraagteken en hersien om vas te stel of hulle wel eties is. In die Suid-Afrikaanse (SA) finansiëledienste-bedryf het daar onder organisasies ’n oorlog om markaandeel gewoed Met die toenemende vlakke van mededinging onder sake-ondernemings, is daar ’n begeerte om nuwe en kreatiewe maniere te vind om mededingende voordeel te bereik. Sake-etiek het dus noodsaaklik geword om enige soort besigheid te bedryf. Die mededingende voordeel van sake-etiek draai om die bou van verhoudings met organisatoriese aandeelhouers, gebaseer op hul integriteit wat hierdie verhoudings in stand gaan hou. Deur die vestiging van etiese programme kan ’n organisasie die bestuur van sake-etiek in die werkplek moontlik maak. ’n Etiese program dra dikwels die waardes van die organisasie oor met die gebruik van beleid en kodes as riglyne vir gedrag en die besluitnemingsproses van aandeelhouers. Hierdie programme kan in onstuimige tye gebruik word om ’n morele weg te handhaaf, veral wanneer leiers ’n helder morele kompas nodig het vir leiding. Die funksie van hierdie morele kompas is ook baie nuttig vir nuwe werknemers omdat hulle vertroud wil raak met eties korrekte gedrag binne-in die organisasie wat in lyn is met sy waardes. As werknemers tevrede is met die etiese program, kan dit dien as meganisme om produktiwiteit en spanwerk te stimuleer, asook om hulle te motiveer. ’n Studie wat binne-in ’n organisasie in die private sektor van die Suid-Afrikaanse finansiëledienste-bedryf gedoen is, het gefokus op evaluering van die doeltreffendheid van hul etiese program. Die bevindings van die veldwerk het gestaaf dat die etiese program van die organisasie hoogs doeltreffend was, soos waargeneem deur die werknemers en direkteure. ’n Doeltreffende etiese program beteken dat die etiese kultuur van die organisasie sterk is. Die bevindings dien as bevestiging dat, deur die monitering van die belangrikste veranderlikes wat ’n belangrike rol speel in die voorspelling van die doeltreffendheid van etiese programme, organisasies ’n positiewe uitslag kan bereik indien hulle weet wat die impak van potensieel skadelike gedrag op die etiese klimaat en kultuur kan hê. Die bevindings bevestig ook dat ’n doeltreffende etiese program ’n bron van mededingende voordeel kan word as dit korrek deur die hele organisasie omarm word. Hierdie studie kan gebruik word in ’n betoog dat gesonde sake-etiek en etiese programme beskou kan word as ’n nuwe mededingende voordeel wat organisasies benodig vir langtermynvolhoubaarheid en sake-sukses.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / Low economic growth, high unemployment and debilitating poverty pose a major threat to the social fabric of South Africa. Entrepreneurship and the establishment of small businesses play a key role in stimulating the South African economy, creating jobs, uplifting living standards and overcoming the injustices of poverty. Compared with other developing economies, South Africa (SA) has one of the lowest entrepreneurial activity rates. Women small- and medium- enterprise (SME) owners, and particularly those from previously disadvantaged socio-economic communities, play a vital role in addressing this situation. There are a number of initiatives aimed at building the capacity of women SME owners in SA. The ILIMA Trust is one such initiative which, through its coaching and mentoring programme, supports women SME owners who come from previously disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, to start up and grow their enterprises. The work of the Trust is primarily focused on such women SME owners who receive financial loans from Masisizane, a sister company of the Trust. This research study aims to establish the stakeholder experiences of the ILIMA Trust‟s coaching and mentoring programme of Masisizane women SME owners and to identify ways in which it can be improved. The case study provides an in-depth description of the stakeholders‟ experiences of the ILIMA Trust‟s coaching and mentoring of the Masisizane SME owners. Several strengths of the coaching and mentoring programme are reported. Areas of improvement are pointed out and recommendations are made to strengthen the programme.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / In a relatively very short period the Internet has grown from being virtually unknown to becoming an essential business tool. Together with its many benefits, the Internet has unfortunately brought with it several new organisational challenges. One of these challenges is how to manage personal Web usage (PWU) in the workplace effectively. Although many managers see PWU as a form of workplace deviance, many researchers have pointed out its potential benefits such as learning, time-saving, employee well-being and a source of ideas. To help organisations manage PWU in the workplace more effectively, this research realised the need for a typology of PWU behaviours in the South African workplace. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) was identified as an objective method of creating such a typology. The objective of this research was therefore to develop an instrument to gather data for a multidimensional scaling study of PWU behaviours in the South African workplace. A questionnaire was designed that consists of three distinct sections. The first section contains seven pre-coded demographics questions that correspond with specific demographic variables, proven to have a relationship with PWU. The second section of the questionnaire is designed to gather dissimilarity data for input into an MDS algorithm. To begin with, 25 Web usage behaviours of South Africans were identified using Google Ad Planner. After weighing up various options of comparing the Web usage behaviours, the pairwise comparison method was selected. Ross sequencing was used to reduce positioning and timing effects. To reduce the number of judgements per participant, the 300 required judgments are split six ways, resulting in 50 judgements per participant. The last section of the questionnaire is designed to gather data to assist with interpreting the dimensions of the MDS configuration. Eight benefits and risks of PWU were identified. These are combined into a matrix together with the 25 Web usage behaviours. The data from this section will allow future research to use linear regression to discover the relationship between the Web usage behaviours (the objects), and the benefits and risks of PWU (the variables). It is believed that this design offers a fair compromise between the time and effort required of participants and the quality and integrity of the acquired data.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / Public private partnerships (PPP) are a critical driving force in the landscape of infrastructure projects in the world. South Africa’s adaptation of the PPP guidelines is therefore encouraging as it provides a framework for government and business to partner together in the delivery of basic infrastructure services to the public. Many challenges have been experienced in the South African PPP fraternity that have contributed to the stagnation of value-adding projects being implemented. In spite of these challenges, some developed countries have successfully implemented PPP projects which have concomitantly presented opportunities and lessons that South Africa can draw from. This research study investigates the fundamental causes of the challenges present in the South African PPP market and seeks to employ practical solutions in addressing these. The challenges have been widespread and include: the management of risk and how to account for risk; negotiations and the manner in which the procurement phase is operated in PPP projects; drafting of sound policies; the various complexities that exist within concession agreements; internal capacity constraints within the PPP Unit; lack of capacity and skills within government entities and political interference. Several vulnerabilities also exist in the bidding process of many countries and if these are not properly addressed by the advisors and institutions concerned, these could potentially delay the entire procurement phase. PPPs should be seen as a catalyst for providing basic infrastructure services that have the intent of improving the quality of lives for ordinary citizens. This, however, will only be successfully addressed once key success factors and lessons are drawn from other international markets that have demonstrated experience and skill in the implementation of PPPs. Three case studies, namely, the Gautrain Rapid Railway Link; the PPP between the Eastern Cape Department of Health and Life Healthcare Group in the Humansdorp district and the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, have been investigated to extrapolate key findings and research findings from the procurement aspects of these projects. With the increase of PPP projects in South Africa, more research also needs to be conducted in putting together a standardisation pack for some of the replicated projects. These would include accommodation and road projects, as many of these have been done previously. Lessons from these projects should be drawn to formulate sound guidelines for stakeholders. Government also has an equal responsibility to play in ensuring that it promotes private sector involvement during the procurement phase by creating an enabling environment which is fair to bidders and which allows for prompt decision making. Principle agent problem continues to be a threat to the perception of PPPs as the private sector’s objective is often different from that of government. It is therefore important that a healthy balance between government’s socio-economic objectives and the profit-maximising objective of the private sector is met. For the public sector thiS means not neglecting society’s needs, but at the same time not under-budgeting the unitary payment of the private sector. If South Africa ought to remain globally competitive and ahead of its emerging market counterparts, there needs to be a complete change of priorities regarding the type of PPPs implemented and government also needs to remain committed and co-operative in the decision-making process.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / Little research has yet been undertaken in South Africa about commercial banks that are servicing the microenterprise market. The objective for the current research was to investigate the key factors that should be considered by commercial banks in South Africa servicing the microenterprise market. The focus for the study was on identifying the key factors and on investigating how the key factors were being considered. There are a number of case studies documenting the key factors that international commercial banks have considered. However, in South Africa, there are relatively few documented cases, which rightfully confirms that commercial banks providing microfinance to microentrepreneurs are still in a new line of business that is in its early developmental stages. The first part of the current study aimed to identify the key factors that required consideration, which have been well documented in a number of research reports. The focus was also laid on international commercial banks that offered microfinance services, especially to microenterprises. The intention was to obtain an overview of how international banks have considered the key factors concerned. The second part of the research study aimed to see how South African commercial banks have considered the above-mentioned key factors, using Absa and Capitec banks as case studies. The key factors identified are the following: the operating model; the delivery model; institutional commitment; product development; funding; technical assistance; human resource (recruitment, retention and remuneration); and operations (credit methodology; loan appraisals; lending methodology; collections; branch network; and support services). The international commercial banks whose case studies are reviewed include: Banco do Nordeste; Bank Rakyat Indonesia; the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe; the Cooperative Bank of Kenya; Banque du Caire; the Agricultural Bank of Mongolia; Hatton National Bank; the Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India; and Banco de la Empressa. From the case studies it was seen that some of the commercial banks considered certain factors more than others. The other differentiating factor is how the key factors were considered, because the operating context of the different commercial banks differs. In South Africa, Absa and Capitec Bank have also considered the key factors, however, the operating model and the delivery model are the biggest differentiator as to how the other factors are considered.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / The interaction between central bank role and fiscal policy is so crucial to the macroeconomic outcome of any economy. The role of fiscal policy is so strong in detennining central bank policies. This is why central bank behaviour is usually analyzed using a model, which incorporates an effect of fiscal pressure on monetary policy fonnulation. With primary deficit pressure by the fiscal authorities, the response to such government budget deficit plays an interactive role in affecting the tradewoff weights applied to the competing goals of monetary policy. The intenningling of these two policies creates a counter-cyclical reaction, which finds roots in the Central Bank of Liberia Act of 1999 that establishes the principal-agent relationship between the Central Bank of Liberia and the government. Liberia's emergence from intennittent periods of civil tunnoil and unrest has created the dire need for an upswing of its ravaged economy. This is especially explained by the high unemployment and illiteracy rate looming in the country. Additionally, there have been the successive failures of national government to put in place the requisite mechanisms for management and equitable distribution of the country's resources to its citizens. This study gives a diagnosis and the symptoms of Liberia's economic state. According to the World Bank, Liberia is listed in the category of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC). Poverty traces a vicious cycle from low income to low saving and investment to low output so back to low income. This study identifies the role the Central Bank of Liberia can play in the economic recovery process of Liberia. This study project will further examine and draw lessons from other developing economies, which are applicable to Liberia. In this direction, countries that are perfonning well in achieving moderate to high economic growth will be looked at in an attempt to draw meaningful lessons for Liberia's drive for the attairunent of economic growth. It is expected that there is no quick fix to economic recovery especially so for a third world country that has been plagued by numerous calamities resulting in the looting and pillaging of the country's resources. The recovery of Liberia from its economic woes will involve other stakeholders besides the Central Bank. This may include the sovereign government through its line ministries and sector-specific agencies as well as the multilateral and bilateral partners of Liberia making up the donor community. This study also reveals the shape of Liberia's economy with regards to the structure of the economy. The controlling of public debt and an encouragement of private debt for investment purposes is a right step in the right direction along the path of economic recovery. This study will also examine monetary policy instruments and their limitations as far as the implementation is concerned. Monetary policy can be implemented by changing the size of the monetary base. This directly changes the total amount of money circulating in the economy. A central bank can use open market operations to change the monetary base.