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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
621

Corporate governance : the board and the role of the independent director

Du Toit, Philip Jean 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / What, if any, is the relation between Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility? "Corporate Governance is concerned with holding the balance between economic and social goals and between individual and communal goals. The corporate governance framework is there to encourage the efficient use of resources and equally to require accountability for the stewardship of those resources. The aim is to align as nearly as possible the interests of individuals, corporations and society" (Cadbury, 2000). The World Bank notes, that there is no single model of corporate governance with systems varying by country, sector and even in the same corporation over time. Among the most prominent systems are the US and UK models, which focus on dispersed controls; and the German and Japanese models which reflect a more concentrated ownership structure. Recently, South Africa's own King Report II on corporate governance is getting more and more international acclaim. Corporate social responsibility is concerned with treating the stakeholders of the firm ethically or in a socially responsible manner. Stakeholders exist both within a firm and outside. Consequently, behaving socially responsibly will increase the human development of stakeholders both within and outside the corporation. For instance the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) principles imply that a key role for stakeholders is concerned with ensuring the flow of external capital to firms and that stakeholders are protected by law and have access to disclosure (OECD,1998:15). While the World Bank have been intrigued by a June 2000 Investor Opinion Survey of McKinsey (World Bank, 2000) that finds that investors say that board governance is as important as financial performance in their investment decisions and that across Latin America, Europe, the USA and Asia investors (over 80% of those interviewed) would be willing to pay more for a company with good board governance practices. "Poor governance" was defined by McKinsey as a company that has: • Minority of outside directors; • Outside directors have financial ties with management; • Directors own little or no stock; • Directors compensated only with cash; • No formal director evaluation process; • Very unresponsive to investor requests for information on governance issues. "Good governance" was defined by McKinsey as: • Majority of outside directors; • Outside directors are truly independent, no management ties; Directors have significant stockholdings; • Large proportion of director pay is stock / options; • Formal director evaluation in place; • Very responsive to investor requests for information on governance issues. In view of the new thinking regarding the function of boards of directors, this mini-thesis will focus particularly on the role of the independent director in corporate governance, with a specific review of the approach in the USA, Europe and South Africa. A proposed role for the independent director will be given, as well as some final conclusions and recommendations on the topic. Without a more complete study it would be immature to think that this paper could have a final say on the role of the independent director in corporate governance, rather it is intended as a stimulus for further research in this very contemporary area.
622

Customer relationship management solutions in organisations

Ligthelm, Verina 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: "Globally, businesses invested about $8 billion in hardware, software and external services in 1999 to design and implement eCRM solutions. And these investments will grow to over $38 billion by 2003. We also see that it is happening everywhere from New York City to Sydney and Frankfurt to Seoul and Rio de Janeiro." Stanley A. Brown (2000:xiii). The ever-changing global environment brings new challenges and opportunities to the business environment. These rapid changes in the marketplace force companies to reconsider the ways in which they do business. Companies will not be able to avoid macro-environmental scanning and scenario planning. Companies that will survive in this unpredictable arena must develop skills to become faster and more efficient. The most significant changes and challenges will be in new competition faced by companies (for example, from previously unexpected sectors) and in changes in customer demands. Recent rapid technological developments have created new methods of doing business, resulting in new markets and new business practices. The world-wide market place now allows customers to obtain price and quality information readily and reliably - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Companies will not be able to gain and retain competitive advantage by developing skills in only one area. 'Customers are increasingly difficult to satisfy and require quality, promptness and realistic prices for products and services. Customers prefer to be treated as individuals with individual needs and requirements, and not as part of the mass-market. Segmentation alone will not assist companles per se - implementation of the segmentation supported by specific business processes and technologies will result in the required shift from a product-orientated approach to a market-orientated approach. A business objective for companies in the New Economy must be to increase customer retention, leveraged by a customer-driven focus. An increase in customer retention will benefit the company - it is more expensive to acquire new customers than retain an existing customer base. This study argues that a customer-driven focus supported by the latest ecommerce processes and technology will assist companies in gaining and retaining a competitive advantage. The study will focus on the successes, and factors contributing to these successes, of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software implementation. In addition to the above, the study will focus on the reasons why ROl (Return on Investment) on CRM implementation projects is inadequate in many cases. A further objective of this study will be to describe the main reasons why up to 60% of CRM implementations fail at first pass, and examine how to reduce this percentage significantly. The study will finally demonstrate that the critical question for managers is not whether a CRM system is necessary, but which products to implement and which factors to take into account before implementing the project. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: "Globally, businesses invested about $8 bill/ion in hardware, software and external services in 1999 to design and implement eCRM solutions. And these investments wil/ grow to over $38 billion by 2003. We also see that it is happening everywhere from New York City to Sydney and Frankfurt to Seoul and Rio de Janeiro." Stanley A. Brown (2000:xiii) Die deurlopend veranderende wêreld veroorsaak dat daar gedurig nuwe uitdagings en geleenthede in die besigheidswêreld ontstaan. Hierdie skielike veranderinge dwing besighede om in diepte te kyk na die manier waarop hulle besigheid doen. Dit sal onwys wees vir besighede om makro-ekonomiese vooruitskatting en scenario-beplanning te vermy. Besighede wat in hierdie onvoorspelbare omgewing wil oorleef, sal vaardighede moet ontwikkel om ratser en meer effektief te wees. Die ingrypendste veranderinge en uitdagings sal wees in die vorm van nuwe kompetisie waardeur besighede bedreig sal word - byvoorbeeld uit voorheen onverwagte sektore - asook veranderinge in verbruikersbehoeftes. Snelle tegnologiese ontwikkeling het nuwe besigheidsmetodes tot stand gebring, met gevolglike nuwe markte en nuwe besigheidspraktyke. Die wêreldmark maak dit nou vir verbruikers moontlik om inligting vinnig en betroubaar in die hande te kry - 24 uur per dag, 7 dae per week. Besighede sal nie 'n kompeterende voorsprong kan realiseer deur vaardighede in slegs een area te ontwikkel nie. Verbruikers is toenemend moeiliker om tevrede te stel, en dring aan op kwaliteit, flinkheid en realistiese pryse vir produkte en dienste. Verbruikers wil behandel word as individue met individuele behoeftes en nie as deel van 'n gesiglose massa nie. Segmentasie alleen kan besighede nie in hierdie verband help nie - die noodsaaklike skuif van 'n produkgeorienteerde benadering na 'n markgeorienteerde benadering sal teweeggebring moet word deur segmentasie wat ondersteun word deur spesifieke besigheidsprosesse en tegnologieë. Besighede in die Nuwe Ekonomie sal hulle ten doel moet stel om verbruikers te behou. Hierdie doelwit moet onderlê word deur 'n verbruikergedrewe fokus. 'n Toename in die behoud van verbruikers is voordelig vir die besigheid, aangesien dit duurder is om nuwe kliënte te werf as om 'n bestaande kliëntebasis te behou. Hierdie studie maak die aanspraak dat 'n verbruikergedrewe fokus, ondersteun deur die mees moderne e-handel prosesse en tegnologieë, besighede sal ondersteun in die verkryging en behoud van 'n kompeterende voorsprong. Die studie sal fokus op die suksesse, en die bydraende faktore tot sukses, wat kan volg op die implementering van spesifiek sagteware vir Kliënteverhoudinge Bestuur (Customer Relationship Management of CRM). Die studie sal verder fokus op die redes waarom die Opbrengs op Belegging (Return on investment of ROl) vir CRM implementasie projekte dikwels ontoereikend is. Die studie sal ook die hoofredes aangee waarom soveel as 60% van alle CRM implementasies met die eerste poging misluk, en ondersoek sal gedoen word na stappe om hierdie persentasie aansienlik te verminder. Die studie sal uiteindelik aan die hand doen dat die kritiese vraag vir bestuurders nie is óf 'n CRM stelsel noodsaaklik is nie, maar watter produkte geïmplementeer moet word, en watter faktore in ag geneem moet word voor implementasie.
623

Determining the value of a new company with specific reference to the real option pricing theory

De Villiers, Dirk Christiaan 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With the trends of business moving away from large, corporate companies to small, flexible and innovative alternatives, the need to value new companies are becoming important. A new company generally does not have substantial historical data available and it is therefore difficult to determine potential revenue streams and hence accurate valuations. The focus of this study is to find an appropriate method to attempt the valuation of a new company and this is explained by means of a case study. Three basic approaches exist to value companies. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) method analyses risk and return to estimate a discount rate and presents the value of the company as a Net Present Value (NPV). Relative Valuation methods compare the fundamentals of a company to that of other companies. Contingent Claim Valuation methods base the value of a company on the fact that decisions may be deferred into the future until more information is evident. The basis of this valuation technique is that of Option Pricing Theory in which the Black-Scholes technique and binomial models are used .: This method is normally used on assets that have optionlike features e.g. equity in a company, natural resource rights, product patents or any decision that may be deferred into the future. Decisions (options) deferred may be identified as growth-, staged-, flexibility-, exit-, learning- and expanding options. This is also known as the Real Option Pricing Theory. According to this model the investment proposal may be mapped as a series of call options (Luehrman, 1998a). The amount of money expended in the project corresponds to the option's exercise price (X), the present value of the asset built or acquired corresponds to the stock price (S), the length of time the company can defer the investment decision corresponds to the option's time to expiration (t) and the uncertainty about the future value of the project's cashflow corresponds to the standard deviation of return on the stock (c). Seven steps are used to obtain the value of the call option and the value is reflected by two option-value metries namely the value-to-cost (NPVq) and cumulative volatility (cr--Jt).The two metries are plotteá on a graph (defined as Options Space) in order to visualize and interpret the results. Mushroom Biomedical Systems developed three highly novel and patented products. The company was valued using the conventional OeF method and valued as a staged investment using the Real Option Pricing Theory according to Luehrman's model (1998a). The values of two products are similar using the OeF and Real Options methods. Most of the investment capital was required during the first phases of these products resulting in the investment of the second phases not holding high risks or value. The value of the third product is significantly higher using the Real Options method compared to the OeF. This is ascribed to the forced delay of phase one. The value of this future decision is worth more than the current decision due to expected new information that might arise. By "creating an option" value is added by forcing management to actively make two decisions about the continuation of the project at a future date. Applying Real Option Pricing Theory suggests inherent value in uncertainty when there is freedom to choose different courses of action in the face of different market conditions. With the OeF analysis the impact of risk is seen as depressing the value of the investment. By contrast, real options show that risk can be influenced through managerial flexibility, which becomes a central instrument to create value. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die beweging van die besigheidswêreld vanaf groot korporatiewe maatskappye na kleiner, buigsame en innoverende alternatiewe het 'n behoefte geskep om die waarde van sulke nuwe maatskappye te kan bepaal. 'n Nuwe maatskappy het tipies nie historiese data beskikbaar nie wat die vooruitskatting van potensiële inkomste strome en dus akkurate waardasies moeilik maak. Die fokus van hierdie studie is die bepaling van 'n toepaslike metode om die waarde van 'n nuwe maatskappy te bepaal en dit word deur middel van 'n gevalle studie verduidelik. Drie basiese metodes bestaan om maatskappye te waardeer. Die Verdiskonteerde Kontantvloei Stroom (VKS) metode gebruik risiko en opbrengs om 'n verdiskonteringskoers te bepaal en reflekteer die waarde van die maatskappy as die Netto Teenswoordige Waarde (NTW). Relatiewe Waardasie metodes vergelyk die fundamentele eienskappe van 'n maatskappy met die van ander maatskappye. Die Gebeurlikheids Waardasie metode koppel waarde aan die feit dat besluite uitgestel kan word totdat meer informasie beskikbaar is. Die basis van hierdie tegniek is Opsie Teorie waarin die Black-Scholes tegniek en binomiaal model gebruik word. Hierdie metode word gewoonlik gebruik waar bates "opsie-tipe" eienskappe besit soos aandeelhouding in 'n maatskappy, natuurlike mynregte; produk patente of enige besluit wat uitgestel kan word na 'n datum in die toekoms. Besluite (opsies) wat uitgestel word kan geïdentifiseer word as groei-, stap-vir-stap-, buigbaarheids-, uittree-, lerings- en uitbreidingsopsies. Hierdie metode staan ook bekend as die Ware Opsie Prysings Teorie. Volgens hierdie metode kan 'n beleggingsgeleentheid voorgestel word as 'n reeks koopopsies (Luehrman, 1998a). Die totale uitgawe word voorgestel deur die uitoefeningsprys (X), die teenswoordige waarde van die bate word voorgestel deur die aandeel waarde (S), die tydperk wat die besluit uitgestel kan word, word voorgestel deur die opsie vervaltyd (t), en die onsekerheid van die bate se kontantvloeistroom word voorgestel deur die standaardafwyking van die opbrengs van die bate (c). Sewe stappe word geneem om die waarde van die koopopsie te bepaal wat uitgedruk word deur twee opsiewaarde komponente naamlik waarde-tot-koste (NPVq) en kummulatiewe volatiliteit ((1'Jt). Die twee komponente word grafies voorgestel (genoem Opsie Spasie) om resultate te visualiseer en te interpreteer. Mushroom Biomedical Systems het drie unieke en gepatenteerde produkte ontwikkel. Die maatskappy is met die konvensionele VKS metode gewaardeer en volgens Luehrman (1998a) se Ware Opsie Prysings model as 'n stap-vir-stap opsie gewaardeer. Die waardes van twee van die produkte is dieselfde met die VKS metode en die Opsie Teorie metode. Die meeste van die kapitaal is tydens die eerste fases van die twee produkte benodig met die gevolg dat die tweede fases nie veel risiko of waarde inhou nie. Die waarde van die derde produk is aansienlik meer met die Opsie Teorie metode in vergelyking met die VKS metode. Dit word toegeskryf aan die gedwonge vertraging van fase een. Die waarde gekoppel daaraan om die besluit in die toekoms te neem is meer werd as om die besluit nou te neem a.g.v. verwagte nuwe informasie. Deur hierdie opsie "te skep" word waarde toegevoeg omdat bestuur gedwing word om aktief twee besluite in die toekoms te neem rakende die voortsetting van die projek. Die gebruik van Ware Opsie Prysings Teorie skep 'n inherente waarde wanneer daar verskillende besluite geneem kan word soos mark kondisies verander. Met die VKS metode word risiko gesien as 'n faktor wat waarde laat afneem. In teenstelling hiermee dui die Ware Opsie Teorie dat risiko beïnvloed kan word deur bestuur se vermoëns, wat 'n belangrike instrument is vir waardeskepping.
624

Developing a practical approach to identify, select, design and manage strategic alliances

Scholtz, Johan F. 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This Study Project attempted to understand and analyse the key elements of strategic alliances in order to develop a practical model and structured approach for business to successfully justify, identify, assess, select, implement and manage alliances that will create maximum value for all parties involved and enhance the likelihood of alliance success. The objective was to obtain an end-ta-end and integrated picture of how to successfully apply strategic alliance as a business tool in today's dynamic and challenging business environment. The study showed that companies of today are facing an overwhelming number of external and internal challenges and pressures. These challenges are putting increased pressure on companies' resources, skills, management and other capabilities to develop new strengths and deliver products and services quicker and at a lower cost. Traditional methods of addressing these challenges, such as internal resource development or acquisition of a business that possesses the required capabilities, are proving to be inadequate and often force companies to sacrifice essential elements such as: speed to market, organisational agility and control. Strategic alliances offer an alternative. Strategic alliances can offer significant advantages for companies who are lacking in particular competencies or resources by securing these through links with partners who possess complementary skills or assets and may also offer easier access to new markets and opportunities for mutual synergy and learning. Alliances will avoid the permanency of strategies such as mergers and acquisitions and enable two-directional exchange of resources and competencies as apposed to the pure financial nature of outsourcing. The first step in the alliance process is the formulation of the alliance strategy. The alliance strategy will dictate which partner and alliance form is most appropriate, what the company expects to get out of the alliance and how risks will be managed. The alliance strategy is a building block or extension of the corporate strategy and must be aligned with the mission, goals and objectives that were set by the strategic process. The formulation of the alliance strategy must be based on an analysis of the external market circumstances and the company's internal resources and competitive capabilities. By defining an alliance strategy the company ensures that all alliances-related activities are consistent and structured. Once the strategic alliance strategy, objectives and format has been determined the company can start to identify and select a partner that has got the ability and competency that is required by the alliance and at the same time has got a similar need to be involved in the alliance. Partner selection requires a structured process to ensure that the alliance strategy and selected form is translated into and represented by key business attributes or areas that are affected by the alliance. The organisation must be clear about what its strategic objectives are and what the partner profile is it is looking for. These objectives are linked to criteria or requirements that the potential partner must comply to, in order to meet the alliance objectives. The partners are now ready to determine how each organisation will engage with the other to reach common objectives of the alliance. This is achieved through a process of negotiation and work definition. The negotiation is 'non zero-sum based' which means that one company's gain is not at the loss of the other company. The alliance business plan is developed during this stage and acts as the blueprint of the future alliance operations. During this stage it is crucial that the leadership of the two companies is actively involved and visible in the process. Managing strategic alliances introduces a complex combination of new management challenges that often need to be coordinated and addressed. It is the alliance management's responsibility to establish a relationship of trust between the companies, address cultural issues and ensure that there is a continuous process of two-way learning. These solutions and the original alliance agreement will however be temporary because the alliance is founded upon relationships that have a dynamic of their own and are subject to the influence of external changes bearing on the alliance, which requires that the alliance needs to transform and adapt to these changes on a regular basis. Strategic alliances are certainly not a new concept in South Africa. But the adoption rate of strategic alliances seem to be slow compared to world standards and opportunities for both local and international alliances have not been capitalised on. Alliances can enable South African companies to remove unnecessary duplication between companies, access international skills and technology, build on synergies and reach global markets in a cost effective and swift way. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:Die doel van hierdie Studie Projek was om die sleutelkomponente van strategiese alliansies te ontleed en te verstaan om sodoende 'n praktiese model en gestruktureerde benadering vir besigheid te ontwikkel om alliansies suksesvol te kan regverdig, identifiseer, analiseer, selekteer, implementeer en bestuur om maksimum waarde vir alle partye betrokke te skep asook die alliansie se waarskynlikheid van sukses te verhoog. Die doelwit was om 'n geintegreerde end-tot-end beeld te verkry van hoe om strategiese alliansies suksesvol aan te wend as 'n besigheidsgereedskapstuk in vandag se dinamiese en uitdagende besigheidsomgewing. Die studie het gewys dat besighede van vandag 'n oorweldigende aantal eksterne en interne uitdagings en druk moet verwerk. Hierdie uitdagings sit toenemende druk op maatskappy hulpbronne, vaardighede, bestuur en ander bevoegdhede om nuwe sterkpunte te ontwikkel en produkte en dienste vinniger en teen laer koste te verskaf. Tradisionele metodes hoe om hierdie uitdagings te adresseer soos interne hulpbronontwikkeling of aanskaffing van 'n besigheid wat die nodige bevoegdheid besit, is bewys om onvoldoende te wees en forseer maatskappye gereeld om essensiële elemente soos: tyd na die mark, organisasie buigbaarheid en beheer op te offer. Strategiese alliansies bied 'n alternatief aan. Strategiese alliansies kan maatskappye wat 'n tekort het aan spesifieke vaardighede of hulpbronne, betekenisvolle voordele bied deur middel van 'n skakel met 'n vennoot wat oor komplementerende vaardigehede en hulpbronne beskik asook makliker toegang gee tot nuwe markte en geleenthede gebasseer op sinergië en kennis uitruil. Alliansies sal die permanentheid van strategië soos samesmeltings en aanwendings vermy en maak tweerigting uitruil van hulpronne en vaardighede moontlik teenoor the suiwer finansiële natuur van besigheid uitfaseer. Die eerste stap in die alliansie proses is die formulering van die alliansie strategie. Die alliansie strategie sal dikteer waarom een vennoot en alliansie vorm beter is as enige ander beskikbare opsie, wat die maatskappy verwag om uit die alliansie te kry en hoe risiko's bestuur sal word. Die alliansie strategie is 'n bou blok of verlenging van die korporatiwe strategie en moet belyn wees met die missie en doelwitte wat bepaal is gedurende die strategiese proses. Die formulering van die alliansie strategie moet gebasseer wees op 'n analiese van die eksterne markomstandighede en die maatskappy se interne hulpbronne en kompeternde vaardighede. Die definering van die alliansie strategie verseker dat alle alliansie-verwante aktiwiteite konsikwent en gestruktureerd gedoen word. Sodra die strategiese alliansie strategie, doelwitte en alliansie formaat bepaal is kan die maatskappy begin om 'n vennoot te identifiseer en te selekteer wat beskik oor die vermoë en vaardigehede wat benodig word deur die alliansie en terselftertyd ook 'n soortgelyke behoefte het om betrokke te raak by die alliansie. Vennootseleksie vereis 'n gestruktureerde proses om te verseker dat die alliansie strategie en geselekteerde form omgeskakel word in 'n en verteenwoordig word deur sleutel besigheidskenmerke of areas wat geaffekteer word deur die alliansie. Die besigheid moet duidelik wees oor wat die strategiese doelwitte is en wat die vennoot profiel is wat verlang word. Hierdie doelwitte word verbind aan kriteria of vereistes waaraan die voornemende vennoot moet voldoen om te verseker dat die alliansie doelwitte bereik word. Die venote is nou reg om te bepaal hoe elke organisasie met die ander sal handel om sodoende die ooreengekome doelwitte van die alliansie te bereik. Dit sal bereik word deur 'n proses van onderhandeling en werk definisie. Die onderhandelinge is nie gebasseer op wen en verloor nie, wat beteken dat een maatskappy se wins is nie die ander maatskappy se verlies nie. Die alliansie besigheidsplan word ontwikkel gedurende hierdie fase en dien as 'n uitleg vir die toekomstige alliansie funksies. Dit is krities dat die maatskappye se leiers aktief betrokke raak by die proses op hierdie tydstip. Die bestuur van strategiese alliansies stel bekend 'n komplekse kombinasie van nuwe bestuur uitdagings wat gekoordineer en geadresseer moet word. Dit is die verantwoordelikheid van die alliansie bestuur om 'n verhouding van vertroue tussen die organisasies te vestig, kulturele probleme te adresseer en te verseker dat daar 'n deurlopende proses van twee-rigting kennis uitruil is. Hierdie oplossings asook die oorspronklike alliansie ooreenkoms sal egter tydelik wees as gevolg van die feit dat die alliansie gebasseer is op verhoudinge wat dinamies is en afhanklik is van eksterme veranderinge wat 'n invloed het op die alliansie en vereis daarom dat die alliansie gedurig moet aanpas by die veranderinge. Strategiese alliansies is glad nie 'n nuwe konsep in Suid Afrika. Die aanneem tempo van strategiese alliansies in vergelyking met wêreld standaarde is egter heelwat stadiger en geleenthede vir beide plaaslike en internasionale alliansies is nog nie op gekapitaliseer nie. Alliansies stel Suid-Afrikaanse maatskappye in staat om onnodige duplikasie tussen mekaar te verwyder, toegang te kry tot internasionale vaardighede en tegnologie, te bou op sinergië en wereld markte te bereik in 'n koste effektiewe en spoedige wyse.
625

Electronic payment and security on the Internet

Marais, Terrence K. 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The greatest potential worry that an on-line shopper has is what happens to his/her credit card details from the moment "submit" is pressed on the computer. Is it possible for someone on the Internet to intercept the message and use credit card details maliciously? Also, there is a lot of talk about personal details being encrypted, but how sure is one that this was indeed the case once "submit" has been pressed? Is there a way in which one can be sure that a transaction will occur only once? Many of the security issues are new and many experts are only learning how to deal with these now. This thesis offers suggestions and strategies a user can follow to minimize misuse and abuse of payment details. Electronic payment is the backbone of e-commerce, and the biggest threat towards widespread acceptance and usage of e-commerce is security. Many innovative solutions have been developed by vendors to address security issues. For example, the Secure Electronic Transfer (SET) protocol was developed to ensure that credit card transactions could be conducted safely and securely on the Internet. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) ensures that all communications and transactions are conducted in a tightly secure environment. This is critical for online or mobile banking and other financial activities. Others developments include payment systems that ensure that credit card details are never exposed to a merchant (e.g. SET), while some ensure that credit card numbers never enter the Internet. The five corner stones of security are confidentiality, privacy, authentication, integrity and non-repudiation. Authentication, non-repudiation and integrity can be resolved with digital certificates, digital timestamps and digital signatures. Message confidentiality, on the other hand, is ensured through the use of strong encryption. Encryption systems mutilate data or a message to such an extent that it is totally useless to someone who does not have the appropriate algorithm and key to decode it. The most widely used encryption schemes are the secret key and public key encryption systems. The public key cryptosystem generates two keys, called a public and private key. The public key can be made generally known, but the private key must be kept secret. A unique property of the scheme is that once data is encrypted with one key, only the corresponding other key of the pair can decrypt it. This makes it possible to address issues of authentication, integrity and non-repudiation. Traditional payment instruments such as cash, cheques, debit and credit card transactions are being replaced by their electronic equivalents. The driving forces behind these are transactional security, efficiency and speed. Novel payment solutions and strategies have been devised to meet the challenges of this new economy. For example, smart cards can act as an electronic purse that can hold electronic money. Other information, such as personal details, medical records, driver's licence, etc. can also be stored on the card. Whilst many security experts are in agreement that security is not a barrier anymore for wider usage of the Internet for financial transactions, many consumers are still apprehensive about how secure and safe it really is. This work aims to diminish those fears and show that the Internet is safe for business. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Een van die grootste bekommernisse wat 'n kliënt met aankope op die Internet kan ondervind, is die onsekerheid wat presies gebeur nadat betalings aangegaan is en "Submit" is gedruk. Is dit moontlik dat iemand die boodskap kan onderskep en betaling besonderhede vir eie gebruik kan herwin? Daar is ook baie publisiteit oor kodifisering, maar hoe kan die klient verseker wees dat betalings besonderhede wel gekodifiseer is wanneer "Submit" gedruk was? Is daar 'n manier waarmee 'n mens verseker kan wees dat betaling slegs eenkeer gaan geskied? Baie van die sekuriteits lokvalle is nuut en sekuritiets kenners is tans besig om te leer hoe om die probleme te hanteer. Die werkstuk offer wenke en strategieë vir die verbruiker om die misbruik van betaling besondehede op die Internet te minimiseer. Elektronies betalings meganisme is die ruggraat van elektroniese besigheid, en die grootste struikelblok tot die grootskaalse gebruik daarvan is sekuriteit. Daar is baie innoverende oplossings om die probleme hok te slaan. By voorbeeld, die Secure Electronic Transfer (SET) protokol was ontwikkel om te verseker dat betalings met kredietkaart met hoë sekuriteit en veiligheid aangegaan kan word. Secure Socket Layers (SSL), verseker dat alle kommunikasies en transaksies in 'n sekuur en veilige omgewing plaasvind. Dit is veral krities wanneer die verbruiker gebruik maak van die Internet of vanaf selfone om transaksies aan te gaan met 'n bank. Ander ontwikkelinge sluit in betalings metodes wat verseker dat die handelaar nooit die kredietkaart besonderhede sien nie (bv. SET). Ander verseker weer dat die betalings besonderhede nooit oor die Internet hoef gestuur te word nie. Die vyf hoekstene van sekuriteit is konfidensialiteit, privaatheid, outentisiteit, integriteit en non-repudiasie. Outentisiteit, integriteit en non-repudiasie word opgelos deur die gebruik maak van digitale sertifikate, digitale tydstempels en digitale handtekeninge. Konfidensialiteit kan verseker word deur die boodskap te kodifiseer. Kodifikasie behels die verandering van data of boodskappe op so 'n wyse dat dit van geen betekenis is vir 'n persoon wat nie die korrekte algoritme en sleutel het om dit te dekodifiseer nie. Die geheime en publieke kodifiserings stelsels word die meeste gebruik om data te kodifiseer. Die publieke kodifiserings stelsel genereer twee sleutels, naamlik 'n privaat en publieke sleutel. Die publieke sleutel kan alom bekend gemaak word, maar die private sleutel moet slegs bekend wees aan sy gebruiker. 'n Unieke eienskap van die stelsel is dat indien 'n boodskap gekodifiseer is met een sleutel, slegs die ander sleutel van die paar dit sal kan dekodifiseer. Dit maak dit moontlik om outentisiteit, integriteit en non-repudiasie toe te pas. Die tradisionele metodes van betaling soos kontant, tjek en debiet of kredietkaart, gaan mettertyd vervang word deur hul elektroniese eweknie. Die dryfkrag agter die verskynsel is die hoë sekuriteit, doeltreffendheid en spoed waarmee transaksies op die manier gehanteer kan word. Vindingryke betaling metodes is ontdek om die besondere uitdagings van die nuwe ekonomie aan te speek. Byvoorbeeld, knap kaarte kan gebruik word as 'n elektroniese beursie wat elektroniese geld bêre. Ander persoonlike inligting, mediese records, bestuurlisensies, ens. kan ook op die kaart geberg word. Terwyl baie sekuriteits kenners glo dat sekuriteit nie meer 'n stuikelblok is om die Internet vir besigheids transaksies te gebruik nie, bly baie van die verbruikers skepties. Die werkstuk se doel is om daardie onsekerhede uit die weg te ruim, deur te verduidelik hoe sekuriteit toe gepas word, en om te bewys dat die Internet interdaad veilig is as a medium vir besigheids transaksies.
626

Entrepreneurial attitudes of grade 12 learners : an exploratory study

Burger, Lydia Lynnette 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Entrepreneurship potentially offers to make a contribution to some of South Africa's most crucial problems for instance poverty and an extremely high youth unemployment rate. Furthermore it empowers people not to wait for others or external factors to change their destiny, but to become pro-active. Literature indicates that there is internationally a renewed interest in entrepreneurship (as demonstrated in research and the number of tertiary institutions offering entrepreneurship education), with a resulting sophisticated body of knowledge becoming available. In South Africa limited success was reported on the renewed emphasis on entrepreneurship. Although the proportion of entrepreneurs in the country compares favourably to international figures, the proportion of necessity entrepreneurs (people who start businesses as a result of the absence of other options) is considerably lower than that of other developing countries and the success rate of businesses is below the international average. Entrepreneurs often do not have the business skills needed to identify business opportunities and manage a business. In the development of business attitudes, knowledge and skills formal education received extensive attention, but informal education may play a more important role to build positive attitudes, while practical experience is also essential to skills development. The economic future of South Africa will be closely linked to the emerging generation of entrepreneurs. The research indicated that they are willing to take on the challenges, but need help with developing the necessary knowledge and skills. Special measures should be taken to include people from previously disadvantaged population groups, women and rural areas in skills development programmes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Entrepreneurskap kan 'n beduidende bydrae lewer om ernstige probleme in die Suid- Afrikaanse samelewing soos armoede en die hoë werkloosheidsyfer onder die jeug te help verbeter. Dit kan ook help om mense te motiveer om self iets aan hulle situasie te probeer doen. Die literatuurstudie het getoon dat daar 'n internasionale golf van belangstelling in entrepreneurskap is. Meer en meer bestuurskole sluit dit in by die vakke wat hulle aanbied en daar is 'n sterk toename in navorsing oor entrepeneurskap. Suid-Afrika is deel van hierdie nuwe golf, maar het nog heelwat uitdagings op hierdie gebied. Die persentasie plaaslike entrepreneurs vergelyk goed met internasionale syfers, maar die aantal mense wat deur nood gedwing word om hulle tot entrepeneurskap te wend, is laer as die gemiddelde persentasie van ontwikkelende lande waarvan die statistiek bekend is. Dit wil ook voorkom asof die persentasie van besighede wat nie in die langtermyn suksesvol is nie, hoër is as die internasionale syfer. 'n Groot persentasie van die sakelui beskik nie oor die vaardighede om sake-geleenthede raak te sien en besighede te bestuur nie. Opleidingsgeleenthede moet nie net fokus op formele opleiding nie, maar moet informele opleiding en geleenthede vir praktiese ervaring insluit. Op ekonomiese gebied gaan die nuwe geslag entrepreneurs 'n beduidende rol speel in Suid-Afrika se toekoms. Die onderhewige navorsing het getoon dat hierdie groep mense gretig is om hierdie uitdagings te aanvaar, maar hulp nodig het om hulle daarvoor toe te rus. Dit is van wesenlike belang dat alle groepe ingesluit moet word in hierdie toerusting, veral groepe wat op die oomblik nog gemarginaliseerd is soos bruin en swart bevolkingsgroepe, vroue en mense van plattelandse gebiede.
627

Globalisation, global governance and the reform of the global economy

Schafer, Siegfried Rolf 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: After the end of the Cold War hopes were high for a freer, fairer new world order. This did not happen. What the world got instead was globalisation - a complex phenomenon born from the interaction of political and economic liberalisation and technological change. Much of the impetus behind globalisation was derived from the prescriptions of the so-called Washington Consensus, which given its powerful influence in developing countries forced them to integrate into the global economy - to the point that integration became a virtual substitute for development policy. The benefits of globalisation were unevenly spread around the world and those who had most, stood to gain most from it. While Multinational Corporations and inhabitants of the developed world were definite winners the losers included workers, the environment and financial market stability. As the full impact of globalisation was beginning to be felt criticism of the process emerged particularly, but not exclusively, from the NGO community and left-leaning commentators. These critics are diverse and do not have much in common, but have at times created alliances of convenience. Most critics however agree that international organisations play an important part in globalisation and that in order to impact on globalisation they would have to impact on these organisations. A particularly abundant area of criticism relates to the threats posed to the global commons. There is very little agreement though on how to deal with the threats. Suggestions range from a return to subsistence production and disengagement from the international trade system to using market forces and new technologies to benefit the global environment. Among the organisations with most critics are the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. A variety of factors contribute to the need for international financial institutions reform. These include: the blurring of their missions; the ineffectiveness of their assistance; and lack of transparency and accountability. The international financial institutions have however been remarkably effective at shielding themselves from calls for reform. The reasons for this are not only political (lack of agreement on required reforms) but also institutional (management siding with powerful stakeholders or pursuing their own agenda). The World Trade Organisation is another target of criticism. As with the international financial institutions the exact nature of future reforms is impossible to surmise, nevertheless environmental and development issues are certainly on the agenda. Decision-making is also likely to be revisited, with the focus being on reconciling effectiveness with representativeness. What is least likely to happen though is what is most needed - a thorough assessment of the World Trade ..Organisation's role in global governance and its relations with other institutions. This will not be possible without a rebalancing of power between the World Trade Organisation and international financial institutions on one side, and the UN family of institutions on the other. Reforming current systems of global governance may also involve creating new organisations. While there are a host of institutions active in global governance there is no formal mechanism to coordinate their efforts. This is where a UN Economic Security Council can playa major role, not least because such a body would give the international system a degree of legitimacy that it has so far lacked. A World Central Bank is however not an institution likely to be seen in the foreseeable future - it is too complex and many states will not give up monetary sovereignty as it impacts on too many other policy areas. It is widely acknowledged that a Currency Transaction Tax will go a considerable way in stabilising the international monetary system, while at the same time raising funds to finance global development. It is an elegant solution that is gaining political support worldwide. The institutional arrangements for its implementation and collection are however still subject to much debate. These are only a few possible ways in which the global economy may be reformed in the short to medium term. In the long term the most likely outcome is a loosely structured web of institutions that together form something akin to global federalism / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Na die einde van die Koue Oorlog is groot hoop gekoester vir 'n vryer, regverdiger nuwe wêreld orde. Dit het nooit gebeur nie. Instede daarvan het die wêreld globalisering gekry - 'n komplekse verskynsel gebore uit die interaksie van politieke en ekonomiese liberalisering en tegnologiese verandering. 'n Groot deel van die impetus agter globalisering het sy ontstaan in die voorskrifte van die sogenaamde Washington Konsensus, wat gegewe sy invloed in die ontwikkelende wêreld baie state gedwing het om in die wêreldekonomie te integreer - tot die punt dat integrasie byna 'n alternatief vir ontwikkelingsbeleid geword het. Die voordele van globalisering was ongelyk versprei, en die wat meeste gehad het, het gestaan om meeste voordeel daaruit te trek. Terwyl multinasionale maatskappye en inwoners van die ontwikkelde wêreld ongetwyfelde wenners was, was werkers, die omgewing en finansiële mark stabiliteit onder die verloorders. Soos wat die impak van globalisering meer en meer gevoel is het dit ook kritiek ontlok, veral - maar nie alleenlik - uit nie-regeringsorganisasie kringe en van linksgesinde kommentators. Alhoewel hierdie kritici nie veel in gemeen het nie, het hulle by tye gemaksalliansies gevorm. Die meeste kritici stem egter saam dat internasionale organisasies 'n belangrike rol speel in globalisering en dat om 'n impak op globalisering te maak dit nodig is om 'n impak op hierdie organisasies te maak. 'n Besonder vrugbare area van kritiek hou verband met bedreigings tot die sogenaamde "globale meent". Daar is egter baie min instemming oor hoe om die bedreigings te hanteer. Voorstelle wissel van 'n terugkeer na bestaansproduksie en terugtrede van die internasionale handelstelsel tot die gebruik van mark kragte en nuwe tegnologie tot voordeel van die wêreld omgewing. Onder die organisasies met van die meeste kritici is die Internasionale Monetêre Fonds en die Wêreld Bank. 'n Verskeidenheid faktore dra by tot die behoefte aan hervorming van die internasionale finansiële instellings. Hierdie sluit in: die verwarring van hulle onderskeie missies, die oneffektiwiteit van hulle bystand, en 'n gebrek aan deursigtigheid en verantwoording. Die internasionale finansiële instellings is egter besonder effektief daarin om hulself van oproepe om hervorming te isoleer. Die redes hiervoor is nie net polities nie (gebrek aan ooreenstemming oor vereiste hervormings) maar ook institusioneel (bestuur kies kant met invloedryke rolspelers of streef hul eie agenda na). Die Wêreld Handelsorganisasie is nog 'n teiken van kritiek. Soos met die internasionale finansiële instellings is dit nie moontlik om die presiese aard van moontlike hervormings te raai nie, desnieteenstaande is omgewings- en ontwikkellingskwessies definitief op die agenda. So ook is besluitneming, met die doel om effektiwiteit en verteenwoordigendheid te versoen. Wat egter mees nodig is, is mins waarskynlik om te gebeur - 'n deurtastende ondersoek na die rol van die Wêreld Handelsorganisasie in wêreld besluitneming en sy verhoudings met ander internasionale instellings. Verandering in hierdie opsig is egter nie moontlik sonder 'n herbalansering van tussen die Wêreld Handelsorganisasie en die internasionale finansiële instellings aan die een kant en die VN familie van instellings aan die ander nie. Hervorming van huidige stelsels van wêreld besluitneming mag ook die skepping van nuwe organisasies behels. Terwyl daar etlike aktiewe organisasies in wêreld besluitneming is, is daar geen formele meganisme om hul aktiwiteite te koordineer nie. In hierdie opsig kan 'n VN Ekonomiese Veiligheidsraad 'n belangrike rol speel, veral omdat so 'n instelling 'n mate van legitimiteit aan die internasionale stelsel kan gee wat dit tot dusver nie gehad het nie. 'n Wêreld Sentrale Bank is egter 'n instelling wat nie in die voorsienbare toekoms die lig sal sien nie - dis te kompleks en baie state sal nie monetêre soewereiniteit wil prysgee nie omrede dit op te veel ander beleidsareas impakteer. Dit word wyd erken dat 'n buitelandse valuta transaksie belasting 'n beduidende stabiliserende invloed op die internasionale monetêre stelsel kan hê, terwyl dit terselfdertyd fondse sal in vir wêreld ontwikkeling. Dis 'n elegante oplossing waarvoor politieke steun wêreldwyd opbou. Die institusionele vergestalting wat benodig word om so 'n belasting te implementeer en administreer is egter nog die onderwerp van vurige debatte. Hierdie is slegs 'n paar van die moontlike maniere waarop die wêreldekonomie oor die kort- tot mediumtermyn hervorm kan word. Oor die langtermyn is die mees waarskynlike uitkoms iets soortgelyk aan 'n losweg gestruktureerde web van instellings wat soortgelyk aan 'n vorm van globale federalisme is.
628

Investigate the reasons why projects are virtually always completed late, not withstanding that advanced time planning techniques are freely available and applied

Konile, Mandlenkosi Moses 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / This thesis probes the range of factors affecting construction project delays through a literature review and survey of practical experience case studies. The focus is on engineering projects that were not completed in time. A total of eight articles have been studied and seven case studies surveyed. From the findings of this study it is noted that projects that do not complete in time could be categorised into three types namely Employer responsible (E), Contractor responsible (C) and Neither party responsible (N). The causes of delay identified from the literature study are superimposed on the causes identified from the case studies. Furthermore the causes of delay are classified in terms of importance, severity and frequency. It was established that causes resulting from design changes, ranked high in this classification whereas causes resulting from unprediotable weather conditions ranked low. Based on the literature review and the case studies, conclusions are drawn and finally recommendations are made.
629

Is competitiveness a prerequisite for FDI? : South Africa & Brazil compared

Venter, Gideon Jordaan 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The relationship between competitiveness and FDI inflow was investigated in this study. South Africa needs FDI to stimulate the economy with the ultimate goal of reducing unemployment and improving the quality of life of the population. Substantial FDI inflow was expected after the peaceful transition to a multi-party democracy in 1994. The data of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) was used to measure competitiveness. The UN Human Development Index was used to determine the progress of human development. The annual World Investment Report published by UNCTAD was used to determine a framework of the determinants for FDI. The determinant framework as proposed by UNCTAD was used to evaluate the extent and importance of each determinant for FDI. This included the FDI policy framework, business facilitation measures and economic determinants (Market seeking, Resource seeking and Efficiency seeking). The competitiveness of South Africa was evaluated using the IMD WCY measurement. The IMD ranking of South Africa declined after 1994 and then stabilised. The trend of the UN HDI was detailed and the negative effect of HIV/AIDS on life expectancy could clearly be identified. The examination of the FDI inflow to South Africa during the period 1994 to 2000 showed that it did not reach anticipated levels. No correlation between competitiveness and FDI inflow could be found for South Africa. Brazil was selected as a benchmark for South Africa due to its similar social, political and economical structure. Brazil succeeded in attracting substantial FDI inflows after 1994 when its economy was stabilised. Brazil's ranking in the IMD WCY improved during the period from 1994 to 2000. The UN HDI rating for Brazil has improved throughout the past 25 years. HIV/AIDS has no effect on the forecasted national life expectancy figures due to the low infection rate in Brazil. A strong correlation between competitiveness and FDI inflow was found for Brazil. As the competitiveness ranking improved, the FDI inflow into Brazil increased and Vice versa. South Africa and Brazil were compared according to the relative strength of determinants to attract FDI, the strength of each competitiveness indicator and overall competitiveness ranking. South Africa compared very well with Brazil in terms of the FDI policy framework as well as the FDI business facilitation measures. In terms of efficiency seeking FDI, South Africa exceeded Brazil in the strength of its productivity and physical infrastructure, although Brazil was superior in skill level and scientific knowledge of the population. Resource seeking determinants are not strong in both countries. Brazil has an advantage over South Africa in that its population of 160 million is attractive for market seeking FDI. When the FDI inflow per capita was compared between South Africa and Brazil, the poor performance of South Africa was evident. Brazil also outperformed South Africa in terms of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook ranking. The IMD uses empirical data as well as data collected through surveys of business people in the ranking process. The survey data capture the perceptions of a country held by potential investors. Often perceptions override empirical data during the investment decision. The reason for South Africa's poor FDI inflow performance during the period 1994 to 2000 is difficult to resolve. The benchmarking with Brazil showed that the strength of the determinants (excluding market seeking) was on par with Brazil. The conclusion was made that the importance of various FDI determinants varies between regions of the world. Investment decisions involving Africa are made differently than in for example South America. UNCTAD data showed that resource seeking (oil & petroleum) FDI determinants with a high reward ratio was the only reaIly strong attraction for investment in Africa. The negative perceptions of Africa including civil unrest, famine and economic instability continue to influence the FDI inflow to South Africa. Although efficiency seeking together with a FDI policy framework and business facilitation measures attract FDI to a country in South America (Brazil), it is not sufficient to attract FDI to a country in southern Africa (South Africa). South Africa must change the international perceptions of the continent by creating a positive investment climate throughout Africa through strong, responsible leadership. The government must expand the knowledge and skill level of the population beyond basic education to enable them to participate in the international information and technology marketplace. Huge investments are required to create a culture of learning and self improvement in the population of South Africa. A high level of skills and knowledge will attract efficiency seeking FDI. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelwit van hierdie studie is om die verhouding tussen die internationale mededingendheid van 'n land en direkte buitelandse investering in die land te ondersoek. Suid-Afrika benodig direkte buitelandse investering om die ekonomie te stimuleer met die doel om werkloosheid te verminder en die lewenstandaard van die bevolking te verhoog. Na die demokratiese verkiesing van 1994 en die vreedsame oorgang tot 'n veelparty regering was daar groot verwagtinge van substansiële buitelandse investering. Die data van die IMD se World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) is gebruik om mededingendheid te evalueer. Die Verenigde Nasies se Human Development Index (HDI) is gebruik om die vordering van menslike ontwikkeling te bepaal. Die World Investment Report (WIR) van UNCTAD se raamwerk van determinante vir direkte buitelandse investering is gebruik om die omvang en belangrikheid van elke determinant te bepaal. Die UNCTAD raamwerk sluit die buitelandse investeringsbeleid, die besigheidsfasiliteringsmaatstawwe en ekonomiese determinante (markgedrewe, natuurlike brongedrewe en effektiwiteitgedrewe ) in. Die mededingendheid van Suid-Afrika is geëvalueer op grond van die IMD WCY proses. Die Suid-Afrikaanse posisie op die IMD ranglys het na 1994 verswak, maar daarna gestabiliseer. Die negatiewe effek van MIV/VIGS op die lewensverwagting van die bevolking is duidelik sigbaar in die tendens van die Verenigde Nasies se HDI vir Suid-Afrika. Die direkte buitelandse investeringsinvloei (1994 - 2000) na Suid-Afrika het nie aan die verwagtinge voldoen nie. Daar kon geen korrelasie tussen mededingendheid en buitelandse investering vir Suid-Afrika gevind word nie. Brasilië is geselekteer as 'n maatstaf vir Suid-Afrika as gevolg van die sosiale, politieke en ekonomiese oorenkomste tussen die lande. Brasilië het daarin geslaag om grootskaalse buitelandse investering te lok nadat sy ekonomie in 1994 gestabiliseer het. Brasilië se posisie op die IMD ranglys het gedurende die periode 1994 tot 2000 verbeter. Die Verenigde Nasies se HDI syfer vir Brasilië het verbeter gedurende die afgelope 25 jaar. Aangesien die MIV/VIGS besmettingsyfer baie laag is in Brasilië, het dit geen effek op die lewensverwaging van die bevolking nie. 'n Sterk korrelasie is gevind tussen mededingendheid en buitelandse investeringsinvloei na Brasilië. Soos Brasilië se posisie op die IMD se mededingendheidsranglys verbeter het, het buitelandse investering terselftertyd toegeneem en vice versa. Suid-Afrika en Brasilië is vergelyk in terme van die relatiewe sterktes van die determinante om buitelandse investering te trek, die sterkte van elke mededingendheidsindikator en algehele posisie op die IMD se mededingendheidsranglys. Suid-Afrika het baie goed vergelyk met Brasilië in terme van die direkte buitelandse investeringsbeleidsraamwerk asook die besigheidsinvestering en fasiliteringsmaatstawwe. In terme van effektiwiteitsgedrewe direkte buitelandse investering, het Suid-Afrika vir Brasilië geklop op die vlak van werkerproduktiwiteit asook die beskikbare infrastruktuur. Determinante vir natuurlike hulpbrongedrewe direkte buitelandse investering is nie sterk in enige van die twee lande nie. Brasilië het die verdere voordeel dat sy bevolking van 160 miljoen markgedrewe direkte buitelandse investering lok. Die vergelyking van direkte buitelandse investering për kapita tussen Suid-Afrika en Brasilië het getoon dat Suid-Afrika in hierdie opsig swak gevaar het. Brasilië het ook beter gevaar in terme van die IMD se mededingendheids ranglys. Die IMD gebruik empiriese data sowel as data van meningsopnames van sakeleiers. Die meningsopname data weerspieël die persepsie van sakeleiers oor 'n land. Dikwels kan persepsies deurslaggewend wees tydens die keuse van 'n belegging. Die rede vir Suid-Afrika se lae buitelandse beleggingsinvloei tydens 1994 tot 2000 is moeilik om te bepaal. Die vergelyking van Suid-Afrika met Brasilië het getoon dat die meederheid determinate van Suid-Afrika op standaard is. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat die belangrikheid van determinante vir buitelandse investering tussen lande verskil. Beleggingsbesluite vir Afrika word anders gemaak as byvoorbeeld in Suid- Amerika. UNCTAD toon aan dat natuurlike hulpbroninvestering (olie en petroleum) met 'n hoë winsverhouding, die enigste sterk determinant vir belegging in Afrika is. Die negatiewe persepsies oor Afrika (onluste, hongersnood en ekonomiese onstabiliteit) beïnvloed steeds die invloei van buitelandse belegging na Suid-Afrika. Alhoewel doeltreffenheidsgedrewe buitelandse investering saam met 'n investeringsbeleidsraamwerk en besigheidsfasiliteringsmaatstawwe voldoende is om buitelande beleggings te lok na 'n land in Suid-Amerika (Brasilië), is dit nie die geval vir 'n land in Suider-Afrika (Suid-Afrika) nie. Suid-Afrika moet die internasionale beeld van die Afrika kontinent verander deur 'n positiewe beleggingsklimaat dwarsdeur Afrika te skep. Dit kan bewerkstellig word deur sterk, verantwoordelike leierskap in Afrika deur Suid-Afrika. Omdat basiese opleiding onvoldoende is, moet die regering die kennis en vlak van vaardighede van die bevolking uitbrei. Dit sal die bevolking in staat stel om deel te neem aan die internasionale mark vir informasie en tegnologie. Groot beleggings is nodig om 'n kultuur van kundigheid en selfverbetering onder die bevolking van Suid-Afrika te vestig. 'n Hoë vlak van vaardighede en kennis sal doeltreffendheidsgedrewe buitelandse investering na Suid-Afrika lok.
630

Knowledge based customer relationship management review and scoring model

Wessels, Heinrich H. 10 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Knowledge Based Customer Relationship Management (KB-CRM) is derived from Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Knowledge Management (KM) that are two crucial components of today's enterprise business models. This report explores the fact that the management of the knowledge in the enterprise and customer relationship management is directly related to the success of the enterprise and attempts to understand the meaning of KB-CRM, what the domains are, and how to diagnose KB-CRM. Based on the research the following definition for KBCRM is derived in the report: To knowledge-enable the enterprise to provide personalised and integrated sales, service and marketing processes to acquire new customers, retain the right existing customers and to grow the relationships with existing customers at every touch point, anytime and anywhere to add value to both the customer and the organisation. The report contains a literature survey of CRM and KM, a discussion of each of the KB-CRM domains (customer, strategy, process, people and technology) and a proposed KB-CRM diagnostic tool, derived from further research, that is applied in a proof on concept environment in the report. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kennis Gebaseerde Klante Verhoudings Bestuur (KG-KVB) is afgelei van Klante Verhoudings Bestuur (KVB) en Kennis Bestuur (KB) wat twee belangrike komponente van vandag se besigheids model uitmaak. In die studie verslag word die feit dat die bestuur van kennis en klante verhoudings in die onderneming direk verwant is aan die sukses van die onderneming behandel en word 'n poging aangewend om die betekenis van KG-KVB te verstaan, wat die domeine daarvan is en hoe KG-KVB gediagnoseer kan word in die onderneming. Gebaseer op 'n literatuur studie word die volgende definisie van KG-KVB in die verslag afgelei: Om die onderneming kennis-bevoegd te maak om persoonlike en geintegreerde verkoops, diens en bemarkings prosesse te verskaf om nuwe klante te kan verwerf, die regte bestaande klante te kan behou en om die verhouding met bestaande en moontlike klante by elke aanrakings punt te groei op enige tyd of enige plek om waarde toe te voeg vir die klant en vir die onderneming. Die studie verslag bestaan uit 'n literatuur studie van KVB en KB, 'n bespreking van die domeine van KG-KVB (die klant, strategie, prosesse, mense en tegnologie) en 'n voorgestelde KG-KVB dianoserings instrument wat afgelei is uit verdere navorsing en toegepas is in 'n "bewys-van-konsep" in die verslag.

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