Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This business plan is a document focussing on creating a business which truly embrace the "New Economy", and by using technology, crafting a strategy which can ensure that the company become successful, and a market leader in the field of civil engineering. The plan focuses on two separate entities. Firstly, building a business by using current techniques in evaluating the industry, developing an initial strategy, and setting the tone for crafting a strategy in the future which will fulfil the goals and objectives of the company, thereby reaching it's initial vision. It use a combination of analysis, creativity, and learning to develop a market leader which has the main focus of being innovative, serving it's clients with service quality, becoming the leader in it's field. A key success factor interaction diagram was developed and combined with an industry value chain to change the operational process into a new market orientated process enabling the company to achieve it's goals. Secondly, the focus is to create wealth for its stakeholders. In that regard the current system in the engineering industry was challenged. New operational processes were developed which is in line with the company vision and mission. These processes was correlated with the financial structure and projections made to ensure that the crafting of the strategy will be done in a systematic way, but always focussing on the goals and objectives of the company. Finally, an implementation plan is developed which is a crucial action plan to ensure success in the future. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelwit van hierdie besigheidsplan is om die basis te lê om 'n suksesvolle markleier in die siviele ingenieurs bedryf te word. Dit is gebaseer op die beginsels van die "Nuwe Ekonomie". Tesame met daardie beginsels word tegnologie gebruik om 'n strategie te ontwikkel en te vorm soos wat die maatskappy groei. Die plan fokus op twee hoofdele. Eerstens, om 'n maatkappy van statuur te ontwikkel. Huidige analitiese tegnieke om die industrie te evalueer is gebruik om 'n basis strategie te ontwikkel. Hierdie basis strategie sal dan uitgebrei word soos wat die maatskappy ontwikkel deur te fokus op sy doelwitte en sy visie. Deur analise, kreatiwiteit en kundigheid te kombineer word gepoog om te fokus op innovering en kwaliteit wat die kwaliteite is wat benodig word om 'n mark leier te word. 'n Sleutel sukses faktor interaksie diagram is ontwikkel wat tesame met 'n industrie waarde ketting gebruik is om die huidige operasionele prosesse te verander in nuwe mark gerigte prosesse. Die stelsel is die fondasie wat gelê word om die maatskappy doelwitte te bereik. Tweedens, word daar gefokus om rykdom te skep vir die aandeelhouers asook die maatskappye wat deel vorm van die lCM netwerk. Die huidige stelsels in die industrie was ge-evalueer en afgebreek totdat nuwe stelsels ontwikkel is wat inpas in die visie en missie van die maatskappy. Dit is gekorreleer met 'n finansiële model en inkomste en uitgawe projeksies vir die toekoms. Die projeksies is gebaseer op 'n geleidelike ontwikkeling van die stelsels totdat daar na drie jaar 'n gevestigde wereldklas stelsel in plek is. Laastens word afgesluit met 'n aksie-plan wat noodsaaklik is vir effektiewe implimentering van die besigheidsplan.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Extensible Markup Language (XML) has become the language of choice for any kind of data transfer between different business entities. Technologies based on XML like the Extensible Stylesheet Language, the Extensible Linking Language and SOAP add vital functionality and make the use of XML in many different business application scenarios possible. Companies that start employing XML as their format of choice for data exchange are often faced with the problem of different XML dialects within their company or with their business partners. This research project looks at the different solutions that are available for this problem and evaluates their appropriateness for certain scenarios. The first viable solution is employing the Extensible Stylesheet Language which allows for basic transformation on the basis of stylesheets. Companies that use this technology for simple conversion problems can either develop applications themselves or rely on tools from third-party vendors. For more advanced conversion needs a more flexible solution is appropriate. Custom made conversion frameworks developed by using a fourth generation programming language like Java offer the advantages of scalability by connecting more than one communication partner, platform-independency and a high degree of flexibility. Another option that will payoff in the future is the adherence to one of the developing industry XML standards. Such standards are mostly still in the development phase and have not been adopted widely yet. But once it becomes clear which standards are going to survive for each industry the adoption of such a standard will eliminate the need for any customised conversion and facilitate data exchange between business partners that adhere to the same standard. In general it is recommended to research existing XML standards before developing a proprietary one. When a proprietary format already exists the choice of the conversion tools and methods depends on the complexity of the transformation. Simple transformation needs can be solved by employing the XSLT technology while more advanced needs require the development of a customised conversion framework. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Extensible Markup Language (XML) het die taal van keuse geword vir enige soort van data oordraging tussen verskillende bedryfsentiteite. Tegnologie gebaseer op XML soos die Extensible Stylesheet Language, die Extensible Linking Language en Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) dra by tot betekenisvolle waardetoevoeging en maak die gebruik van XML in 'n groot verskeidenheid van besigheidstoepassings scenarios moontlik. Ondernemings wat XML as hul formaat van keuse vir data oordraging meer en meer begin gebruik, word dikwels met die probleem van verskillende XML dialekte intern tot hul onderneming sowel as ekstern tot hul sakevennote, gekonfronteer. Hierdie studie ontleed die verskillende oplossings wat beskikbaar is vir die probleem en evalueer dan die toepaslikheid vir sekere scenarios. Die eerste uitvoerbare oplossing is die gebruik van die Extensible Stylesheet Language wat toelaat vir basiese transformasie op die grondslag van stylblaaie. Ondernemings wat hierdie tegnologie vir eenvoudige omsettingsprobleme wil gebruik kan óf self toepassings ontwikkel of staatmaak op gereedskap vanaf derde party verskaffers. Vir meer gevorderde omsettingsbehoeftes is 'n meer buigsame oplossing geskik. Doelgemaakte omskakelingsraamwerke wat ontwikkel word deur gebruik te maak van 'n vierde generasie programmeringstaal soos JAVA bied die voordele van skalering deur meer as een kommunikasievennoot te konnekteer, platform onafhanklikheid en 'n hoë graad van buigsaamheid. Nog 'n opsie wat rendement in die toekoms kan lewer is om te bly by een van die ontwikkelende industrie XML standaarde. Sulke standaarde is meesal nog in die ontwikkelingsfase en word nog nie tot nou algemeen aanvaar nie. As dit egter begin duidelik word watter standaarde gaan oorleef vir elke industrie sal die aanvaarding van sulke standaarde die nodigheid vir doelgemaakte omskakeling elimineer en sal dit data uitruiling tussen sakevennote wat hou by dieselfde standaarde bevorder. In die algemeen word dit aanbeveel dat bestaande XML standaarde goed nagevors word alvorens 'n alleenreg een ontwikkel word. Wanneer 'n alleenregformaat alreeds bestaan sal die keuse van transformasiegereedskap en metodes afhang van die kompleksiteit van die transformasie. Eenvoudige transformeerde behoeftes kan bevredig word deur die XSLT tegnologie te gebruik, terwyl meer gevorderde behoeftes die ontwikkeling van 'n doelgemaakte omskakelingraamwerk sal benodig.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Until recently, there was little awareness of the phenomenon of workplace bullying, or of the means by which it is carried out. Even today, many people still know very little or nothing of what goes on behind closed office doors. The prevalence of workplace bullying seems to indicate a worsening trend, and it may be that everyone in the workplace is now at risk of having "an experience". Workplace bullying is the deliberate, hurtful mistreatment of a person by a bully driven by her or his need to control others at work. It is quite simply, psychological violence in the workplace, and the results thereof include psychological trauma, loss of dignity, and feelings of shame in the person being targeted or victimised. Bullying can be regarded as the use or abuse of position or power to coerce others by fear or persecution or to oppress them by force or threat. It has been identified as a more crippling and devastating problem for both employees and employers than all other work-related stresses put together. Most bullying is insidious in that it is carried out at the psychological level. Although it may be most obvious in screaming and publicly abusive episodes, it is usually more subtle and persistent. Its behaviours can include rumours, gossip and attempts to turn others against a person, stealing credit for others' work, deliberate attempts to sabotage someone's work, highly public and humiliating criticism, blame, threatened job loss or punishment. In the case of physical assault, there is no doubt that an attack has taken place. In the case of bullying, it may be months, perhaps even a year or more, before one begins to realise that the difficulty one is experiencing with a particular individual, or group of individuals, goes beyond what can reasonably be expected in one's place of work. In the research the author explored the impact of workplace bullying on the organisation and the individuals (victims) concerned. The author used a real-life case study / example in Chapter 2 to illustrate the existence and the negative effects of this workplace phenomenon. The author suggests some strategies to victims and employers on how to recognise the tactics of their tormentors, how to stop the hurt and regain their dignity, self-esteem and confidence and, furthermore, how to discourage workplace bullying and eliminate its debilitating effects. Organisations should realise that bullying at work is a hidden menace that can destroy individuals and undermine both individual and teamwork performance, and that people can never perform at their best when they are bullied. Employers and employees therefore have a mutual interest in the eradication of this workplace demoraliser, workplace bullying. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away - it will slowly eat away your organisation's bottom line. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar was tot onlangs min bewustheid van die verskynsel van werkplektreitering of van die wyse waarop dit toegepas word. Selfs vandag nog weet baie mense baie min of selfs niks van wat eintlik agter geslote kantoordeure aangaan nie. Die voorkoms van werkplektreitering dui op 'n toenemende tendens, en dit kan wees dat elke persoon in die werkplek die gevaar loop om aan hierdie "ervaring" blootgestel te word. Werkplektreitering is die opsetlike en skadelike mishandeling van 'n persoon deur 'n bullebak wat gedryf word deur sy/haar behoefte om almal in die werkplek te beheer. Dit is eenvoudig sielkundige geweld in die werkplek, sowel as die resultaat daarvan, wat insluit sielkundige trauma/geweld, die verlies aan waardigheid, en gevoelens van skaamte in die persoon wat geteiken word of die slagoffer is. Werkplektreitering kan beskou word as die gebruik of misbruik van mag en posisie om vrees by ander in te boesem deur vervolging of onderdrukking of deur dwang of bedreiging. Werkplektreitering is geïndentifiseer as 'n probleem wat meer verlammend en verwoestend is as alle ander werkverwante stressors van werkgewers en werknemers saamgevoeg. Die meeste treitering is verradelik deurdat dit op 'n sielkundige vlak uitgevoer word. Alhoewel 'n geskree en openlike beledigende episodes die ooglopendste is, is dit gewoontlik meer subtiel en aanhoudend. Die gedrag van die werkplekbullebak kan insluit gerugte, skinderpraatjies, pogings om persone teen mekaar op te steek, krediet te neem vir 'n ander se werk, doelbewuste pogings om iemand se werk te saboteer, hoogs openlike en vernederende kritiek, beskuldigings, asook dreigemente met betrekking tot werksverlies of straf. Met fisieke geweld is daar geen twyfel dat 'n aanranding plaasgevind het nie. Met werkplektreitering kan dit egter maande, miskien selfs 'n jaar of meer, neem voordat 'n mens besef dat die probleme wat met 'n spesifieke individu of groep individue ondervind word verder strek as wat redelikerwys binne 'n mens se werkplek verwag kan word. In die navorsingsverslag het die skrywer die moontlike impak van treitering in die werkplek op die organisasie én die individue wat daaraan onderworpe is, ondersoek. Die skrywer het gebruik gemaak van 'n werklike gevallestudie in Hoofstuk 2 om die teenwoordigheid en die negatiewe impak van werkplektreitering binne die werksomgewing te illustreer. Die skrywer stel sekere strategieë aan slagoffers en werkgewers voor oor die wyse waarop die taktiek van die plaaggeeste herken kan word, hoe om die seerkry te stop en waardigheid, selfagting en selfvertroue terug te bring en voorts hoe om werkplektreitering te ontmoedig en die aftakelende gevolge daarvan te elimineer. Organisasies moet besef dat werkplektreitering 'n weggesteekte bedreiging is wat individue kan vernietig en individuele en spanwerkprestasies kan ondermyn en dat mense nooit op hul beste kan presteer wanneer hulle getreiter word nie. Werkgewers en werknemers het dus 'n wedersydse belang in die uitroeiing van hierdie werkplek demorialiseerder, werkplektreitering. Deur die probleem te ignoreer sal dit nie laat verdwyn nie, maar dit sal stadig maar seker tot organisasies se ondergang lei.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Fruit Unit of Tiger Brands is annually responsible for the canning of 75 000 tons of fruit of which apricots constitutes approximately twenty percent. The canning of apricots is subject to a few unique challenges with regard to production planning. The challenges are the unpredictable fruit sizes, unpredictable fruit quality, unpredictable fruit degradation in cold storage, unknown starting date for production and the uncompromisable end of production before Christmas day. These uncertainties led to the fact that no formal production planning for apricots had been done in the previous years of operation. The primary aim of this study is to reduce the risks with regard to production, apricot size and apricot quality by effectively forecasting the expected nett result thereof. This will quantify the resultant products available to marketing personnel and give a measure to evaluate and control production performance. The problem is addressed by organising and presenting historical data such that forecasts of future outcomes would become possible. Clear trends are present on throughput and fruit degradation over time, making forecasting of these two uncertainties quite simple. The forecasting of fruit size is however more problematic, especially because of the lack of sufficient data. It was proposed that the four main fruit size categories be described by using probability distributions fitted over the actual data of the last four years. The large variation on these distributions, probably caused by the lack of sufficient data, rendered this method unsuitable. It was decided that the best estimate of the percentage of each fruit size to be expected, was the average of the derived distributions. The model constructed of the above forecasts is suitable for the estimating of the quantities of specific products that would be available as output from the production process. The model is however not suitable for the evaluation and control of production processes. It is proposed that evaluation and control of production be achieved by using control charts derived from the same historical data. The production control charts are constructed from actual, cumulative production output from the last four years. Linear regression was done on this data to establish a trend line with two sigma limits plotted on the same chart. These charts could be used effectively to monitor daily production output to establish if the commitment towards marketing would be achieved. The lack of data for analysis puts a question mark on the statistical significance of the model. The model is viewed to be a first step in the elimination of uncertainties of raw materials and production variances by making use of historical performance data. The model and control charts will become more and more statistically significant if future actual performance data is incorporated. The model could also be drastically improved if detailed agricultural models for the prediction of apricot size and quality, based on climatic and soil conditions during the growing period were available. The development of such models could be the subject of future studies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Vrugte eenheid van Tiger Brands is jaarliks verantwoordelik vir die inmaak van naastenby 75 000 ton vrugte. Appelkose maak twintig persent van hierdie volume uit. Die inmaak van appelkose is onderhewig aan unieke uitdagings ten opsigte van produksiebeplanning. Die uniekheid is gesetel in die onvoorspelbaarheid van vruggrootte, die jaarlikse verskille in vrugdegradering tydens opberging, die onvoorspelbaarheid van die begindatum van produksie en die absolute vereiste om voor Kersdag produksie te voltooi. Hierdie onvoorspelbaarhede het tot gevolg dat daar tot op hede geen formele produksiebeplanning vir appelkose gedoen is nie. Die primêre doelwit van die studie is om die risiko's ten opsigte van produksie, appelkoosgehalte en appelkoosgrootte te verminder, deur die impak daarvan vooruit te skat. Sodoende sal die produkte wat vir bemarking beskikbaar gestel behoort te word ook beter bekend en beheerbaar wees. Die probleem word aangespreek deur geskiedkundige data sodanig te verwerk en te organiseer dat vooruitskattings daarmee gedoen kan word. Baie duidelike tendense ten opsigte van deurset en vrugdegradering oor tyd is deur middel van die geskiedkundige data waarneembaar, wat vooruitskatting van die twee faktore redelik vergemaklik. Die vooruitskatting van vruggrootte bly egter problematies, veral as gevolg van die gebrekkige geskiedkundige data wat beskikbaar is. Daar is gepoog om die vier gespesifiseerde vruggrootte kategorieë deur middel van waarskynlikheidsverdelings te beskryf, maar die gebrekkige data en groot variasie van die data en verdelings maak die tegniek ongeskik. Gevolglik is daar besluit om slegs die gemiddeld van hierdie verdelings as 'n beste raming te gebruik van die verwagte hoeveelheid van elke vruggrootte. Die model wat uit bogenoemde manipulering van data afgelei word, word gereken geskik te wees vir die raming van hoeveelhede van spesifieke produkte wat vir verkope beskikbaar sal wees. Die model is egter onvoldoende vir produksiebeheer en evaluasie. Produksie evaluasie sal egter met behulp van produksiebeheer kaarte wat ook van geskiedkundige prestasie afgelei is, gedoen word. Die produksiebeheer kaarte is kumulatiewe werklike fabrieksprestasie waardeur 'n regressielyn gepas is, met twee sigma afwykingslyne weerskante van die regressielyn geplot. Hierdie kaarte sal gebruik word om daaglikse produksie prestasie te plot en te interpreteer of die kommitment teenoor bemarkingspersoneel steeds haalbaar sou wees. Die model en die produksiebeheer kaarte is afgelei van slegs vier vorige seisoene se produksiedata. Die tekort aan relevante data plaas die betekenisvolheid van die afleidings dus onder verdenking. Die model en kaarte word beskou as 'n eerste poging om die risiko van grondstof- en produksievariasies te verminder deur die vooruitskatting van die uitsette met behulp van geskiedkundige prestasie. Die model en kaarte sal met die inkorporering van toekomstige seisoenale data meer statisties beduidend word. Die model sou ook verbeter kon word deur detail landboukundige modelle wat appelkoos gehalte en grootte verbind met klimatologiese en grondkundige kondisies tydens die verbouingsproses van die vrugte. Hierdie verbetering word egter voorgestel vir 'n verdere studie onderwerp.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The challenge facing managers and employees in the 21st century is to cope with the changing environment in which they find themselves. This study project aims to give managers guidelines to optimise human capital through emotional intelligence and, in so doing, assist them with a practical tool to challenge the modern business environment. Here the key question is: What does it mean to optimise human capital through emotional intelligence in practice? In an attempt to answer this question, the primary aim of this study project is to develop a practical and accessible tool which the modern manager can use in understanding and optimising the concepts of human capital and emotional intelligence, both in his personal and professional life. Gone are the days when managers and employees were told to leave their emotions at home. This study project also wishes to highlight the importance of emotions at work, how the management of emotions can significantly affect an individual's potential for development and promotion at work and, lastly, how different the workplace might be if everyone was helped to recognise and manage their emotional intelligence. The methodology used involves a thorough exploration of international and local literature, including books, articles and relevant electronic resources. Existing definitions, theories, text and themes regarding human capital and emotional intelligence are broken down into practical advice that is accessible to and can be understood by the modern manager. Thirty specific coaching guidelines are given that can be used as a management tool. The author attempts to anchor the study with reference to a South African case study. This case study involved testing the EQ of fourteen individuals from Media24 FamilyMagazines, a division of Media24, by means of the BarOn EQ-I test. It is concluded that if managers and employees develop their emotional intelligence, both parties will benefit. The key lies in engaging people's heads and hearts and in optimising human capital through emotional. intelligence. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die uitdaging wat bestuurders en werknemers in die 21ste eeu in die gesig staar is om optimaal te funksioneer in die veranderende omgewing waarin hul hulself bevind. Hierdie studieprojek het ten doel om moderne bestuurders riglyne te gee om menslike kapitaal deur middel van emosionele intelligensie te optimaliseer en hulle sodoende te voorsien van 'n praktiese hulpmiddel waarmee hulle die uitdagings van die 21ste eeuse sake-omgewing die hoof kan bied. Die sleutelvraag is: Wat beteken dit in die praktyk om menslike kapitaal deur emosionele intelligensie te optimaliseer? In 'n poging om hierdie vraag te beantwoord is die primêre doel van hierdie studie om 'n praktiese en toeganklike hulpmiddel te ontwikkel wat die moderne bestuurder kan gebruik om die konsepte menslike kapitaal en emosionele intelligensie in sy persoonlike en professionele lewe te verstaan en te optimaliseer Die dae toe bestuurders en werknemers gevra is om hul emosies tuis te laat, is verby. Hierdie studieprojek het ook ten doel om die belangrikheid van emosies by die werk uit te lig, hoe die bestuur van emosies 'n beduidende uitwerking op 'n individu se potensiaal vir ontwikkeling en vordering by die werk kan hê, en laastens, hoe anders die werkplek kon wees as almal gehelp word om hul emosionele intelligensie te herken en te bestuur. Die metodologie wat gevolg word sluit 'n verkenning van internasionale en plaaslike literatuur, met inbegrip van boeke, artikels en tersaaklike elektroniese bronne, in. Bestaande definisies, teorieê, tekste en temas oor menslike kapitaal en emosionele intelligensie word verwerk tot praktiese raad wat toeganklik is vir en deur die moderne bestuurder verstaan kan word. Dertig spesifieke opleidingsriglyne word gegee wat as 'n bestuurshulpmiddel gebruik kan word. Die skrywer poog om die studieprojek met verwysing na 'n Suid-Afrikaanse gevallestudie te anker. Hierdie gevallestudie sluit in die EI-toetsing van veertien individue van Media24 Gesinstydskrifte, 'n afdeling van Media24, deur middel van die BarOn EQ-I toets. Ten slotte word daarop gewys dat, indien bestuurders en werknemers hul emosionele intelligensie ontwikkel, beide partye daarby sal baat. Die sleutel lê daarin om mense se verstand en hul harte te betrek en om sodoende menslike kapitaal deur emosionele intelligensie te optimaliseer.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sishen Iron Ore Mine produced 24,5 million tons of iron ore during 2000/2001 of which 20 million tons was exported to clients overseas and the rest locally supplied. This production is a mere 2,5% of the world iron ore production. Sishen Iron Ore Mine is planning to produce 26,5 million tons during 2001/2002. The target is to produce more than 30 million tons in the near future. Information technology can only make a positive impact on reaching these goals, when the information technology strategy is aligned with that of the business and the information technology is managed well. This study will indicate red lights in that, if Sishen Iron Ore Mine continues to manage information technology as it has done in the past, the possibility exists that Sishen Iron Ore Mine will not reach the goals agreed upon. This study has, after a thorough investigation, shown where the shortcomings are and how to go about addressing these shortcomings. This study, furthermore, makes certain recommendations towards ensuring that information technology makes a positive impact in assisting Sishen Iron Ore Mine to reach the goals agreed upon. This study has shortly come to the conclusion that there is currently restricted alignment between the information technology strategy and the business strategy, and that the management of information technology does not follow best practice. Research was done and the results gathered pointed to specific shortcomings that needed to be addressed. These shortcomings could be summarised as follows: • Information technology strategy, with specific reference to the questions - Does information technology add value to the business? - Does information technology address business needs? - Why is development costs for information technology solutions so high? • Management of information technology, with regard to - Personnel - Information technology solution priorities - New information technologies - Information technology project management and planning - Management and user awareness and education - Management and user involvement After a thorough investigation of the applicable literature, it is recommended that Sishen Iron Ore mine take certain steps to align the information technology strategy with that of the business, and furthermore, that information technology will be satisfactorily managed. Short conclusions of the recommendations are as follows. • Information technology strategy - To develop a measurement mechanism that will determine the value added by information technology. - To develop thorough user specifications that will address business needs. - To further investigate initiatives to lower development costs for information technology solutions. • Management of information technology - The extension of the current information management organisation to address business needs. - To develop a priority matrix that will prioritise information technology solutions. - To construct forums to ensure that all parties are involved when investigating new information technologies. - To implement a thorough project management and planning environment for information technology projects. - To develop an awareness and education program of information technology for users and managers. - To develop a mechanism that will ensure that users and managers are involved during and after implementing information technology solutions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Sishen Ysterertsmyn het gedurende 2000/2001 24,5 miljoen ton ystererts geproduseer waarvan ongeveer 20 miljoen ton uitgevoer is na oorsese kliënte en die res plaaslik geabsorbeer is. Hierdie produksie is maar 'n skamele 2,5% van die wêreld se totale ysterertsproduksie. Die Sishen Ysterertsmyn beplan dan ook om gedurende 2001/2002 26,5 miljoen ton te produseer en binne die nabye toekoms meer as 30 miljoen ton. Inligtingstegnologie kan 'n positiewe bydrae maak tot nastrewing van hierdie doelwitte, indien die strategie daarvan gesinchroniseer is met die Sishen Ysterertsmyn se strategie asook die manier waarop inligtingstegnologie bestuur word. Hierdie studie het ten doeI om met rooi gevaarligte te identifiseer indien die Sishen Ysterertsmyn voortgaan met die bestaande bestuurswyse van inligtingstegnologie wat daartoe kan lei dat die Sishen Ysterertsmyn nie die ooreengekomde doelwitte gaan bereik nie. Hierdie studie het na 'n deeglike ondersoek uitgewys waar die leemtes lê en hoe 'n mens te werk moet gaan om die leemtes aan te spreek. Hierdie studie maak verder aanbevelings om te verseker dat inligtingstegnologie 'n positiewe bydrae kan maak om te verseker dat die Sishen Ysterertsmyn wel die ooreengekomde doelwitte bereik. Hierdie studie het kortliks tot die slotsom gekom dat daar tans beperkte sinchronisering is tussen die strategie vir inligtingstegnologie en die Sishen Ysterertsmyn se strategie en dat die bestuur van inligtingstegnologie nie beste praktyke nastreef nie. Navorsing omtrent die aangeleenthede is gedoen en het uitgewys dat daar spesifieke leemtes is wat aangespreek moet word. Hierdie leemtes behels die volgende: • Strategie vir inligtingstegnologie, met spesifieke verwysing na -of inligtingstegnologie waarde toevoeg tot die Sishen Ysterertsmyn; - of inligtingstegnologie voldoen aan die Sishen Ysterertsmyn se behoeftes; - of die ontwikkelingskoste vir die oplossing van inligtingstegnologie leemtes nie te hoog is nie. • Bestuur van inligtingstegnologie, met verwysing na - personeel; - prioriteite vir oplossing van inligtingstegnologie leemtes; - nuwe inligtingstegnologie; - projekbestuur en beplanning van inligtingstegnologie; - bewusmaking en opvoeding vir bestuur en gebruikers; - bestuur en gebruikers se betrokkenheid. Na 'n deeglike ondersoek met verwysings na verwante literatuur word daar aanbeveel dat die Sishen Ysterertsmyn die nodige stappe moet neem om sinchronisering te verseker tussen die strategie vir inligtingstegnologie en die Sishen Ysterertsmyn se strategie en dat die nodige goeie bestuur van inligtingstegnologie plaasvind. Vervolgens 'n kort samevatting van die aanbevelings met betrekking tot die volgende aspekte • Strategie vir inligtingstegnologie die daarstel van metingsmeganismes om waardetoevoeging van inligtingstegnologie te bepaal; - die opstel van deeglike gebruikerspesifikasies vir die bevrediging van die Sishen Ysterertsmyn se behoeftes; - die ondersoek na inisiatiewe om die ontwikkelingskoste vir die oplossing van inligtingstegnologie gebreke te verlaag. • Bestuur van inligtingstegnologie - die uitbreiding van die bestaande Bestuursinligtingsorganisasie om die Sishen Ysterertsmyn se behoeftes te bevredig; - die daarstelling van prioriteitsmatrikse om oplossing van inligtingstegnologie gebreke te prioritiseer; die daarstelling van forums sodat alle partye betrokke is by die ondersoek na nuwe inligtingstegnologie; - die daarstelling van deeglike projekbestuur en projekbeplanning vir inligtingstegnologie projekte; opvoedingsprogram oor inligtingstegnologie vir bestuur en gebruikers; - die daarstelling van 'n meganisme wat sal verseker dat bestuur en gebruikers meer betrokke raak en bly by die implementering van inligtingstegnologie.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study involves an examination of the current situation of the responsibility of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on the disclosure requirements of the accounting standards. In 1995, Statement AC 108 'Inventories' was introduced and it deals with the definition and disclosure of cost of sales. In 1997, Statement AC 306 was introduced and deals with the scope, calculation and disclosure of headline earnings per share (HEPS). The research shows that since the disclosing requirements of Statements 108 and 306 (cost of sales and HEPS) were published, there has been a significant effect on the nature of disclosure of these items by listed South African companies. In addition, income statement items (not yet part of the USB database) were identified and will be loaded onto the USB database of income statements of industrial companies listed on the JSE. These items are: ~ Cost of sales, ~ Gross profit, ~ Gross profit percentage, and ~ HEPS. A large sample of four hundred companies' financial statements over an eleven year period (1990 - 2000) was reviewed, and the data regarding sales, cost of sales, EPS, HEPS, exceptional items, abnormal items and extraordinary items were recorded on a spreadsheet model. Regarding cost of sales, the gross profit and gross profit percentage were calculated, and the arithmetic and weighted means were calculated. The data was analysed against the disclosure requirements and it was found that thirty percent of the companies on the USB's database reports cost of sales as an item on the income statement (without disclosing the item as specified above in "notes to the income statement)". Seventy percent reports cost of sales as a note underoperating profit in the income statement. First in, first out (FIFO) is the method of inventory valuation that is clearly the dominant method used by listed companies in South Africa. An analysis of the HEPS of the listed companies revealed a similar trend and the majority of companies disclosing HEPS do so as per the requirements set out in Statement AC 306. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie behels 'n ondersoek na die huidige situasie van maatskappye wat genoteer is op die Johanneburg Effektebeurs se verantwoordelikheid ten opsigte van bekendmaking van rekeningkundige standaarde. Gedurende 1995 is Standpunt RE 108 gepubliseer en dit handel oor die defineëring en openbaarmaking van koste van verkope. Gedurende 1997, is Standpunt RE 306 bekendgestel en handel oor die omvang, berekening en bekendmaking van wesensverdienste per aandeel. Die navorsing toon dat sedert Standpunte 108 en 306 (koste van verkope en wesensverdienste per aandeel) gepubliseer is, daar 'n aansienlike effek op die aard van bekendmaking van hierdie items deur genoteerde Suid Afrikaanse maatskappye is. Verder is inkomstestaat items (wat nog nie deel van die USB databasis is nie) geidentifiseer en sal op die USB databasis van inkomstestate van industriële maatskappye genoteer op JEB geplaas word. Hierdie items is: ~ Koste van verkope, ~ Bruto wins, ~ Bruto wins persentasie, en ~ Wesensverdienste per aandeel. 'n Groot steekproef van 400 maatskappye se finansiële state oor 'n 11 jaar tydperk (1990 - 2000) is nagegaan, en die inligting aangaande verkope, koste van verkope, verdienste per aandeel, wesensverdienste per aandeel, abnormale en uitsonderlike items is opgeneem in 'n sigblad model. Wat die koste van verkope betref, is die bruto wins en bruto wins persentasie bereken, en die gewone sowel as die geweegde gemiddeldes is bereken. Die data is geanaliseer teen die bekendmaking vereistes en daar is gevind dat ongeveer dertig persent van die maatskappye op die USB se databasis rapporteer koste van verkope as 'n item op die inkomstestaat. Sewentig persent rapporteer koste van verkope as 'n nota onder bedryfswins in die inkomstestaat. Eerste in, eerste uit (EIEU) is duidelik die vooraadwaardasie wat die meeste gebruik word deur genoteerde maatskappye in Suid Afrika. 'n Analise van die wesensverdienste per aandeel van die genoteerde maatskappye dui 'n soortgelyke tendens en die meerderheid van maatskappye wat wesensverdienste per aandeel verklaar, doen so volgens die vereistes soos neergelê in Standpunt RE 306.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper investigates fund manager performance in order to determine whether some fund managers are better than others. The focus of the paper is to examine if fund performance is related to the characteristics of fund managers that may indicate ability, knowledge, or effort. The data consists of South African regulated unit trust growth and growth-and-income funds investigated over a seven-year period, and comprehensive and detailed information on the various fund managers supplied by the MoneyMate database from the University of Stellenbosch. The research objective has been to find out whether fund manager characteristics help explain fund performance and risk. Stepwise regression analysis as the research methodology is applied, where the two dependent variables, performance and risk, are regressed on the eight independent variables; manager age, tenure of the manager with the fund, years of education, whether the manager hold a MBA or CA/CFA qualification, management team size, fund age and fund objective. The findings of the study are highly significant and show that fund performance and risk are impacted upon by managers' qualifications. One can expect better risk-adjusted performance from a fund manager who holds a CA/CFA and/or MBA qualification. Results show that these managers outperform managers without these qualifications. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek fondsbestuurder prestasie met die doel om te bepaal of sommige bestuurders beter is as ander. Die fokus van die studie ondersoek of fondsprestasie verband hou met die eienskappe van fondsbestuurders. Die data bestaan uit Suid-Afrikaanse effektetrust groei en groei-en-inkomste fondse bestudeer oor 'n periode van sewe jaar, en omvattende besonderhede van die fondsbestuurders soos verskaf deur die MoneyMate databasis van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Die doel van die navorsing is om bewyse te vind wat mag aandui dat fondsbestuurdereienskappe wel fondsprestasie en risiko's kan beïnvloed en verduidelik. Die metode van stapsgewyse regressie word toegepas, waar die impak van die agt onafhanklike veranderlikes (ouderdom van die fondsbestuurder, sy jare by die fonds, sy aantal jare van tersiêre onderrig, of die bestuurder 'n MBA of CA/CFA kwalifikasie besit, spangrootte, ouderdom van die fonds en die fonds se doelstelling) op die twee afhanklike veranderlikes (prestasie en risiko) ondersoek word. Die bevindinge van die studie is hoogs betekenisvol en dui daarop dat 'n fonds se prestasie en risiko's wel beïnvloed word deur die kwalifikasies van die fondsbestuurder. Beter risiko aangepaste prestasies kan verwag word van bestuurders wat 'n MBA en/of CA/CFA kwalifikasie besit. Die resultate toon wel dat fonds bestuurders ander bestuurders uitpresteer wat nie daardie kwalifikasie besit nie.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African citrus industry was deregulated in 1997. Before deregulation only Outspan could export citrus from South Africa and no other export company was allowed to do so. The deregulation process was not gradual, but came suddenly and the industry changed from fully regulated to deregulated in a very short time. This sudden deregulation created a lot of uncertainty in the industry. More than one hundred new fruit export companies were established within a year after deregulation. Most of these new entrants had very little experience in exporting citrus. Many of them went bankrupt within a year or two and many citrus producers suffered considerable financial losses as a result. Producers had no experience in exports themselves and many were not qualified to choose reputable export companies to export their fruit. The face of the industry has been changed unrecognisably. In the past there was one big company exporting all the citrus from South Africa. After deregulation a lot of small to medium fruit export companies were established. These companies playa very important role in the industry as it stands today. Deregulation also opened the door for big international fruit marketing and distribution companies to enter the South African fruit business. After some years of chaos and very little reliable information available in the industry in terms of volumes produced and exported, the industry is stabilising. A number of industry bodies like the Citrus Exporters Forum (CEF) and Citrus South Africa (CSA) have been formed to represent the exporters and the producers. These bodies have formed the Joint Marketing Forum (JMF) that meets every month to discuss marketing and industry-related issues jointly. The debate with regards to deregulation rages on. Most industry role players are supportive of less regulation and free market principles. However, deregulation could have been more gradually phased in. This would have given more people, especially producers, the chance to adapt to the new environment. Most role players are of the opinion that the citrus industry is more market driven and more competitive after deregulation than before. Taking a look at the South African citrus industry in the future, there will be increased competition due to increased volume of citrus produced world wide. Producers can therefore no longer produce unwanted varieties or produce in marginal areas where the yields are low. Producers must take their destiny in their own hands and must educate themselves in the export process so that they can make the right decisions about production and exports. As a result of increased competition and lower margins the distribution chain must be as short as possible with as few middle men as possible. As a result of this producer exporters are on the increase. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid Afrikaanse sitrusbedryf is in 1997 gedereguleer. Voor deregulering kon slegs Outspan sitrus uit Suid Afrika uitvoer en geen ander maatskappy is toegelaat om dit te doen nie. Die dereguleringsprosess was nie geleidelik nie, maar die industrie het van ten volle gereguleerd tot gedureguleer verander in 'n baie kort tyd. Die skielike deregulering het gelei tot groot onsekerheid in die industrie. Meer as eenhonderd nuwe vrugte uitvoermaatskappy is binne 'n jaar na deregulering gevorm. Meeste van die nuwe rolspelers het baie min ondervinding in die uitvoer van sitrus gehad. Baie het dan ook bankrot gespeel binne 'n jaar of twee en baie sitrusprodusente het groot finansiële verliese gelei as gevolg daarvan. Meeste produsente het ook geen ondervinding in uitvoere gehad nie 'en was dus nie gekwalifiseerd om betroubare uitvoermaatskappye te kies om hulle sitrus uit te voer nie. Die gesig van die industry is onherkenbaar verander. Tydens regularing was daar slegs een groot maatskappy wat alle sitrus van Suid Afrika af uitgevoer het. Na deregulering is 'n groot aantal klein tot medium vrugte uitvoermaatskappye gevorm. Hierdie maatskappye speel 'n baie belangrike rol in die industrie soos dit tans lyk. Deregulering het ook die deur vir groot internasionale vrugtebemarkings en distribusiemaatskappye oopgemaak om die Suid Afrikaanse industrie te betree. Na 'n aantal jare van chaos en baie min betroubare informasie wat beskikbaar was in terme van volume geproduseer en uitgevoer, is die industrie besig om te stabiliseer. Daar is ook 'n aantal industrieliggame soos die Sitrus Uitvoerders Forum en Sitrus Suid Afrika gevorm om die belange van uitvoerders en produsente te verteenwoordig. Hierdie liggame het die Gesamentlike Bemarkings Forum gevorm wat elke maand vergader om bemarking en ander industrie aangeleenthede gesaamentlik te bespreek. Die debad met betrekking tot deregularing is steeds aan die gang. Meeste industrierolspelers ondersteun minder regulering en vryemark beginsels. Hulle stem egter saam dat die dereguleringsproses meer geleidelik ingefaseer moes word. Dit sou produsente meer tyd gegee het om aan te pas by die nuwe omgewing. Meeste rolspelers is van die opinie dat die sitrusindustrie in Suid Afrika meer markgerig en ook meer kompeterend geword het na deregulering. In die toekoms kan verwag word dat daar meer kompetisie in die sitrusbedryf sal wees as gevolg van 'n toename in sitrusproduksie wêreldwyd in sitrusproduserende lande. Produsente kan dus nie meer ongewenste variëteite produseer of sitrus produseer in marginale areas waar opbrengste laag is nie. Produsente moet hulle toekoms in hulle eie hande neem en moet die uitvoerproses leer ken sodat hulle die regte besluite kan neem oor produksie en uitvoere. As gevolg van toenemende kompetisie en kleiner marges moet die logistiekeketting so kort en koste effektief as moontlik gehou word. As gevolg hiervan is produsente uitvoermaatskappye aan die toeneem.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Accounting in its current state of practice has lost its ability to inform business accurately about the current state of an organization. In awareness of this lack of information managers and academic researchers have developed different ways of measuring and navigating in a new landscape that has moved from watching tangible, physical assets towards intangible assets. The intellectual capital (IC) of organizations stands in the core of this movement which has to be measured, enabling managers to identify previous IC investment decisions that improved the organization's overall situation. The field of IC measurement is still a young discipline which requires regular reviews about what has been done and what should come next. The purpose of this thesis is to give a comprehensive overview of the field of intellectual capital measurements. In this the thesis focuses on the separation of IC into the three elements mostly used: human capital, structural capital and customer capital. IC measurement tools of commonly known IC-authors like Edvinsson and Malone, Stewart, Sveiby and Kaplan and Norton are presented. Afterwards the thesis discusses those measurements and ends by giving several suggestions creating a foundation for future development of IC measurement tools for organizations and researchers. By doing so the author intends to present a new platform of measurement tools from which further research can be done. Among the most important suggestions the author recommends a stronger focus towards finding standards. Also, organizations and governments should develop certification programmes to ensure the value of IC measurement tool. Other suggestions include the importance of putting lC measuring (and its management) on a strategic level and the relevance of publication of IC in order to learn from criticism. This research has shown that in the young field of IC measurement significant developments have been taking place. Further development will also have to focus on the theoretical background on the practically found measurement applications. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In sy huidige staat het rekeningkunde sy vermoë verloor om besigheid akkuraat in te lig omtrent die huidige stand van 'n organisasie. Omdat hulle van hierdie gebrek aan inligting bewus is, het bestuurers and akademiese navorsers verskillende maniere ontwikkel om 'n nuwe omgewing wat wegbeweeg het van die monitering van tasbare, fisiese bates na onaantasbare bates, te meet en daarin te navigeer. Die intellektuele kapitaal (IK) van organisasies is die kern van hierdie beweging wat gemeet moet word, en stel bestuurders in staat om vorige IK-beleggingsbesluite wat die organisasie se algehele situasie verbeter het, te identifiseer. Die gebied van IK-meting is nog 'n jong dissipline wat gereelde hersiening van wat gedoen moet word en wat volgende moet gebeur, vereis. Die doel van hierdie tesis is om 'n omvattende oorsig te gee van die gebied van die meting van intellektuele kapitaal. In hierdie tesis val die fokus op die verdeling van IK in drie elemente wat die meeste gebruik word, naamlik menslike kapitaal, strukturele kapitaal en kliëntekapitaal. IK-metingsinstrumente van bekende skrywers oor IK, soos Edvinsson en Malone, Stewart, Sveiby en Kaplan, en Norton word aangebied. Daarna word daardie metings bespreek, en word die tesis afgesluit met voorstelle oor die daarstelling van 'n fondament vir toekomstige ontwikkeling van IK metingsinstrumente vir organisasies en navorsers. Sodoende poog die skrywer om 'n nuwe platform van metingsinstrumente aan te bied vir verdere navorsing. Die skrywer stel onder andere 'n sterker fokus op die daarstelling van standaarde voor. Organisasies en regerings behoort ook sertifiseringspropgramme te ontwikkel om die waarde van IK-metingsinstrumente te verseker. Ander voorstelle sluit in die belangrikheid daarvan om IK-meting (en die bestuur daarvan) op 'n strategiese vlak te plaas, en van die publikasie van intellektuele kapitaal ten einde uit kritiek te leer. Hierdie navorsing het getoon dat belangrike ontwikkelings op die jong gebied van IKmeting plaasvind. Verdere ontwikkeling sal ook op die teoretiese agtergrond van die prakties gebaseerde metingstoepassings moet fokus.