M. Tech. Business Administration / Leveraging information technology (IT) is important to maximise business value. For this to be possible, companies must ensure that IT objectives are supportive of business objective. Business needs to take the responsibility in ensuring that IT capabilities support, enable, and, where appropriate, lead business strategy. Such alignment will maximize the effective, efficient and economical use of IT resources in a strategic context. One of many challenges facing organisations is that IT strategy appears to be separate from business strategy, maintaining a common direction with business strategy but at a distance. Furthermore business unit leaders do not consider IT as a key strategic enabler for them achieving their strategic business unit level objectives. This study established the perceptions of senior managers and executives of the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) regarding the alignment of IT strategy and the business strategy. It also determined which of the alignment factors (people, processes, organisational infrastructure, etc.) are most important for strategic alignment at the AGSA and how successfully they have been implemented.

M.Tech. Business Administration. Business School. / Involvement in the attorney's profession makes it clear that the training of attorneys does not make sufficient provision in the fields of management and accounting. This led to the research of a business plan model, and the question was raised whether it is possible to develop a standard business plan. As it appears that there is a gap in the syllabus of the training of attorneys, it is recommended that a thorough analysis of the training of attorneys be done. An empirical task analysis of the running of a practice will be the scientific way to determine which skills an attorney needs. A follow-up study should be done with a control group over an extended period. The once-off use of the business plan is not sufficient and should be adjusted and changed when necessary on a continuous basis.

Competitive advantage is crucial for a business to be sustainable, yet many small- and medium-sized enterprises are not engaging in supplier development in order to achieve a competitive advantage. This empirical study was conducted on a sample of 64 small- and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing industry in Kempton Park, Gauteng. The factors that influence engagement in supplier development were analysed to assess whether supplier development can lead to competitive advantage and other benefits. The findings indicate that supplier development can create and improve competitive advantage, as well as lead to other benefits. Four factors were found to have a relationship with supplier development, and therefore could influence the decision to take part in supplier development. Small- and medium-sized enterprises can use tools such as supplier development in order to be competitive and have an advantage over their competitors. The awareness of operational performance measures, competitive advantage, judgment of the absence or existence of trust, and a buyer’s relative power can all influence participation in supplier development.

There is a continued effort for organisations to invest in resources that enable them to reduce costs while increasing productivity to meet the needs of the customers in order to maximise profits. Such investments also empower them to gain competitive advantage in the market. In an endeavour to achieve this, organisations invest in implementing Information Technology (IT) software to assist in increasing efficiency. There are varieties of available software solutions that are used at various stages of the value-chain. One of these is the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Bakeries are no exception in exploring ways in which operations can be run more efficiently to reduce costs in the various levels of the supply chain through use of ERP systems. Although bakeries have invested many funds in implementing this system, they fail to enjoy the full returns on their investment of this system. The study compares the use of ERP systems between three leading bakers in Port Elizabeth, as part of convenience sampling, to identify any possible ineffective business practice applications and recommend some applicable solutions. In pursuing this study, a qualitative research was conducted. A critical literature review drawing on academic sources was conducted on the Supply Chain Management SCM. It provides an overview of SCM, and the effectiveness of ERP is SCM. Additionally, it provides benefits of using ERP in SCM. Furthermore, various tools that are used in measuring effectiveness of ERP systems were discussed. These tools included, Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness, part of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the balanced scored card. This was followed by a content analysis of web-based content of the three bakeries. Interview schedules were conducted using close-ended and open-ended questionnaires with the procurement, production, and distribution officers in the three bakeries to get a deeper understanding of the experience of the respondents. The questionnaires were distributed to twenty-seven (27) potential participants but interviews were conducted with only five (5) respondents. This constitutes a (5/27) 18.5% response rate. The questions on the questionnaires required a deeper understanding of the experiences of the respondents on their use of ERP. The questions were adopted from a balanced score card questionnaire that was previously used in measuring the performance of ERP systems.The study used Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to measure the effectiveness of ERP systems that are used in bakeries The analysis revealed that some production departments did not use the ERP system altogether while others used it as an archive and stuck to manual tasks resulting in duplication of tasks, which increase the workload of the departments. It also discourages interdepartmental information integration because other departments do not have easy and quick access to information from their production department. This department must share information to other departments through email. It was discovered that some end-users do not undergo formal training that affect their use of the system making it ineffective. Some found that their system was not user-friendly and increased their workload. Recommendations are made to the management of the bakeries on how to make the use of ERP effective for those planning to upgrade their current baking management systems.

Business failure should be of concern in most industralised countries and the importance of accurately evaluating the phenomenon from a management and investment point of view is enormous. Were it possible to predict failure with a certain degree of confidence, steps could be taken to rectify the situation and the benefit would accrue to all of the stakeholders in the macroenvironment. In essence, the profitability of a business is influenced by two sets of variables. In the first instance, it is influenced by a variety of internal (microeconomic) variables which are firm- specific and which management is generally able to control. A further distinction in this regard may be made between the financial and non-financial variables. In the second instance, it is generally accepted that profitability will be influenced by a number of external (macroeconomic) variables which are generally beyond the control of management. In the main, however, the profitability of the firm is generally determined by a combination of both sets of factors. To date, a great deal of research has been undertaken in an attempt to establish a reliable model which may be used to predict failure. This has mainly been confined to the microeconomic variables which can be used to predict failure and attempts have been made to isolate either a single financial ratio or a number of financial and non-financial variables which can be used to model corporate failure. The research has met with a certain degree of success although this appears to be confined to the economic environment to which the models have been applied. The models are less successful when applied to other macroenvironments. Limited research has been undertaken into the macroeconomic variables which contribute to business failure or to a combination of the two types of variables. It is appropriate therefore that further consideration be given to the establishment of a model incorporating ALL the variables which could contribute to corporate failure. The purpose of this research is to undertake an investigation of micro- and macroeconomic variables that are freely available to reserachers and which may be used in a failure prediction model. The intention is to obtain a comprehensive, yet simple model which can be used as an overall predictor of PENDING failure.

Talhado Fishing Enterprises (Pty) Ltd is a squid fishing company founded in 1988, with sea and land based freezing facilities. Operating from the East coast situated in the Port Elizabeth harbour, the company processes and packages its caught and bought out product for sales to its export customers situated in Spain and Italy. The company is privately owned, 38.8 percent owned by previously disadvantaged persons. This study examines the whether it would be feasible to expand its operations into the USA, namely into the California area where a squid fishery exists. The study further centres around the company’s existing markets, namely Spain and Italy, to establish whether demand exists to purchase this Californian squid specie. The reason for the study is that due to legislative and political issues growth in the squid industry in South Africa is limited. It is therefore considered pertinent to source further supply of product in order to expand its business. The aim of the study is establish whether it is feasible to expand the company’s operations internationally and does the outcome of this initial study warrant the development of an in depth business plan. In order to achieve these objectives the following approach was followed: A comprehensive literature study was conducted with regard to the industry internationally and locally; Interviews was conducted with independent experts such as attorneys and industry role players situated in California; Potential sellers of businesses were sourced in the California and interviews were arranged with these role players; The response to the interviews was measured against the literature study conducted and financial statements supplied.

M.Comm. / In a changing world, adaptation is essential to survival. This holds particularly true for businesses in view of the increasing responsibility entailed upon their management by the globalisation of trade and technology. Planning for the future is crucial, and proper planning methods must be implemented to meet challenges successfully. One of the most important planning methods is the Business Plan, which can be used according to the particular needs and objectives of a business. In South Africa, the requirements of the Government's Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) have made it necessary for companies to plan better than ever before - especially in terms of the major RDP objective of making affordable housing available to all the country's citizens. This study is an investigation into the development and implementation of a framework for a Business Plan for SouthNet Projects, a property development company whose objective is to provide housing at the so-called lower end of the market. The chief aims of this study have been to: determine whether the Business Plan of SouthNet Projects meets all the requirements for drawing venture capital into the business; develop a framework for a Business Plan that can be utilised for measuring the content and standard of an overall or comprehensive Business Plan so that improvements can be effected where necessary. The methodology involved a comparative study in which Business Planning, as reflected in eight authors/institutions, was analysed. This analysis was used for drawing up a framework according to which the Business Plan of S?uthNet Projects could be measured. It was found that the existing Business Plan was indeed a sound one in that it: generally measured up to required standards; addressed all the essential aspects; was drafted by professionals thoroughly acquainted with the industry. However, certain shortcomings - inter alia the following - were identified: A "standard" (overall or comprehensive) Business Plan was lacking. Some aspects recurred repeatedly under different headings, a problem that could be remedied by grouping related topics (marketing, for instance) under the same heading ("Marketing). The executive summary needed to be remoulded to ensure that the readers' attention would immediately be caught. It is recommended that, although the variedness of the nature and purpose of industries makes it difficult to formulate a standard Business Plan, the framework developed should be integrated with other business plans as far as possible in an attempt to approach the ideal of a standard plan.

M.Com. (Financial Management) / Ontbondeling kan met reg as die sake-onderwerp van 1993 in SA beskryf word. Die siening word gesteun deur Clarke (1994) in sy artikel "Year of unbundling", waarin hy ontbondeling as die grootste kenmerk van die korporatiewe finansieringsakiwiteite van die groot banke in SA gedurende 1993 beskryf. In die voorwoord van die 1993-weergawe van "The Giants" (bylae by Financial Mail) word ontbondeling as die hoofrede vir "the most significant shake-up of corporate SA's shareholding structure" sedert die eerste publikasie van die bylae beskryf (Anon., 1993j:3). Indien ontbondeling as die sake-onderwerp van 1993 in SA beskou word, kan swart ekonomiese bemagtiging as die sake-onderwerp van 1994 in SA beskou word. Ontbondeling en swart ekonomiese bemagtiging was nie net die twee belangrikste onderwerpe van korporatiewe finansieringsaktiwiteite in SA gedurende die afgelope twee jaar nie, maar moontlik ook die twee onderwerpe wat die meeste gedurende die periode in die SA sakewereld bespreek is. Daar het in die proses verskeie wanindrukke oar die twee begrippe ontstaan en die hoofredes daarvoor was waarskynlik eerstens dat beide onderwerpe op een of ander wyse aan die politieke en ekonomiese transformasie in die land gekoppel is, en tweedens dat dieselfde name, byvoorbeeld Sanlam, Barlow Rand en Anglo American, telkens tydens 'n bespreking van die twee onderwerpe opgeduik het. Hierdie dokument poog onder andere om die twee begrippe, wat beide ook as "prosesse" beskryf kan word, duidelik te definieer en te onderskei, onder andere aan die hand van voorbeelde, in perspektief te stel, van die wanindrukke uit die weg te ruim en die gebeure rondom beide onderwerpe gedurende die afgelope twee jaar aan 'n paar gemene faktore, byvoorbeeld die politieke en ekonomiese veranderinge in die land en die rol van die konglomerate in beide prosesse, te koppel.

The research emanated from an investigation of GB7, GB8 and GB9 main contractors in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study was focussed on the strident economic times in the construction industry following the FIFA Soccer World Cup from August 2010 to December 2012. The research was conducted to identify the key strategy or combination of strategies keeping construction entities in operation. The study further investigates the key elements of a successful turnaround strategy as well as the most effective methods in implementing strategies within construction organizations. The research took the form of an empirical quantitative study where a descriptive survey was used to collect data. Structured interviews were held with the target population to collect data in the field. The study established that geographic diversification was the most effective method utilized by main contractors for survival during the study timeframe. The study also found that lowering of profit margins and preliminary and general amounts were most effective methods in the use of turn around strategies. The study finally concluded that effective steps were taken by main contractors in the Eastern Cape to implement corporate strategies within their organizations. Step by step guidance to all employees on new processes was the key element in successful strategic implementation of a strategy within construction organizations. The research conducted contributes to the strategic management competency within the built environment as well as the existing body of knowledge within the construction industry. All members of the construction industry in South Africa involved with strategic level planning of entities would value the study.

The aim of this research was to explore employee responses to the implementation of SAP R/3 and Connected Application Portfolios (CAPs) in Shell South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Downstream-One (DS-1) Business/Lubricants (B2B/Lubes) Project Implementation Programme. It assessed whether employees accepted or rejected change prior to the implementation of SAP R/3 and CAP’s. In 2005 globally Shell launched its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation. Its 16th implementation was conducted in Shell South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (Shell SA) in 2008. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach.