Thesis (Ed. D.)--Temple University, 1995. / Abstract. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-112).

D.Comm. / The aim of this study is to develop an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon of life balance in the lives of South African professional women, and to develop a Life Balance Questionnaire to measure this phenomenon. The study was approached qualitatively, applying the Grounded Theory method, with a systematic set of procedures to develop and derive at a theory inductively. The purposeful sampling method was used in combination with the chain reference sampling technique. In-depth interviews were conducted with twenty four selected participants, then a group session was held to confirm identified themes and concepts and to form a theoretical framework. The literature review reveals that professional women in the 21 st century face an exceptional challenge in balancing the multiple tasks associated with their homemaker and work roles. The phenomenon of life balance therefore seems to become an important consideration in the lives of professional women. The main findings in this study indicate that South African professional women of different cultural backgrounds experience similar pressures and challenges. The findings also indicate that, to define the phenomenon of life balance, all roles performed by an individual throughout her life need to be considered, as what constitutes life balance for one person might not apply to another. Selfawareness is identified as the main point of departure for achieving life balance. This implies that it is important to accept "who you are" and "what is important to you", and to take responsibility for the choices you make. It is concluded that life balance is cyclical, so it is important to be aware of it as a process, rather than an end, and as a tool for achieving personal growth. Life balance is, therefore, not defined as "one, single ultimate experience", but as individual experiences over time, or, rather, as "life balance moments". The final conclusion is that two main types of factors influence and support life balance, namely internal or influential factors and external or supporting factors. Internal factors include self-awareness, the ability to know and understand oneself, to take responsibility for decisions and life choices, to understand and deal with personal fears, the application of proactive coping strategies, a positive attitude towards life and chosen demands, and trust in others for assistance and support. External variables include situational conditions, societal views and attitudes, support structures, organisational values and support, and literature and training programmes. To illustrate and confirm the conclusions of this study, two Life Balance Models are developed to represent a definitional and process approach to the theme. The study concludes with a proposed "Life Balance Questionnaire" aimed at measuring life balance in the lives of professional women. The testing and validation of the "Life Balance Questionnaire" do not form part of the study.

M.Tech. / Women in South Africa account for more than half the population, yet traditionally have been excluded from the formal environments of business. Women entrepreneurs in play a critical and important role in the economy and their contribution is limited to more traditional businesses such as crafts, hawking, personal services and the retail sectors. For women entrepreneurs to contribute positively to the South African economy, the environment in which they operate needs to be understood. Women business owners are faced with many challenges iv that hinder their success. The objective of this study is to identify and investigate the success factors and relevant barriers facing women entrepreneurs and to determine to what extent these barriers affect their success to starting, managing and growing their ventures taking into account their bio-graphics.

M.Comm. / This study evaluates the impact of leadership development programmes for women in the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC) and provides comments on the leadership competencies and skills acquired. An evaluation research methodology was chosen and .Kirkpatrick‟s Four Level Evaluation Model defined the parameters of this study. A mixed-method approach was adopted, since it provided a vehicle for the researcher to make recommendations for improving further programmes as they evolved and substantiate findings from different sources to ensure the validity of the data and conclusions that emanated from this study. Female leadership studies conducted worldwide draw conclusions that highlight the unique challenges that women face as they ascend into the leadership ranks of organisations. This study also explored the challenges and opportunities that women in the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC) encountered in their quest for leadership roles and responsibilities. The women‟s leadership development programmes received considerable praise from the participants and the results of this study conclude that the programme outcomes were met in providing an opportunity for them to learn and implement individual leadership competencies .The leadership competencies that were enhanced were self-awareness and confidence, collaboration, cultural competence, communication, networking and relationship building. In addition, various leadership theories were explored and the participants identified with transformational leadership in particular. The participants reported favourably on the mentoring and coaching aspects of the leadership development initiatives and some have indicated an interest and willingness to support others through mentoring and coaching. However, the leadership competencies have not been applied optimally into the organization and the participants would need the continued support of the organisation by way of additional platforms to apply these acquired leadership competencies. This can help the organisation realise the unique contribution of IV women in the organisation, and if the programmes that have been implemented are sustained over time and the leadership competencies applied, this could lead to organisational transformation. An interesting aspect of this study was that the majority of the women believed that the organisation provided sufficient opportunities for women to progress and encouraged the continuation of these leadership development initiatives, but not to the exclusion and marginalisation of men in the organisation. As progressive as this kind of thinking is, it typically illustrates the transformational leadership tendencies of women in keeping with research that recommends leader development (i.e. individual leaders such as the women‟s leadership development initiatives), as well as leadership development (i.e. broader organisational focus on enhancing the organisational leadership competencies). The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa will reap rewards in future should it continue on the path of leadership development for women; but also in general as this critical mass of leaders who apply cutting-edge leadership thinking will contribute to organisational success over a sustained period of time.

Please read the abstract in the 00front part of this document / Thesis (DBA (Business Administration))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Business Management / unrestricted

The primary research objective of this treatise is to determine the role of Muslim women in family businesses. Muslim women actively participate in various private and public sectors of the economy as well as in family businesses. The literature review discusses the family business and its definitions and portrayed the advantages and disadvantages of family businesses. Furthermore, the research explored women in family business and investigated common reasons for joining the family business as well as conflict and success planning experienced by the women in the family business. Thereafter, the literature review discussed the Muslim women in family businesses and highlighted the background of the history of Muslim women in Islam. The Muslim women and their rights in Islam were presented followed by the rules of hijab. An overview of Muslim women in the history of Islam of the past and in the current economy was completed. The literature review then discussed the Muslim women in business and concluded with the Muslim women and their role in family businesses. The research methodology and research design literature lead to a qualitative research strategy being adopted to determine the role of Muslim women in family businesses. A questionnaire was designed and participants from the local Muslim business community who live in Port Elizabeth were approached to participate in the research treatise. The participants were initially contacted telephonically followed by an interview session where the questionnaire was used as a guide to the interview. The main purpose of the structured questionnaire was to determine sufficient data for adequate analysis of the research problem. The data were analysed and recommendations were made to address the primary research objective. The findings presented highlighted the role of Muslim women in family businesses. During the research further opportunities for research were presented, particularly to determine the impact of the Muslim daughter in family business is recommended for future research.

Diversity has become an essential component in companies. As businesses and industries attempt to appeal to a wider demographic of employees while trying to serve diverse markets, they are also seeking to be representatives of such markets. Internal diversity is essential from a business standpoint. Diverse perspectives and backgrounds are proven to result in advantages for businesses which ultimately increase revenues and profits. The purpose of this study was to address the limited understanding of how White women and women of color navigate the dominant environment in the investment management industry. White men traditionally hold the power in this environment and, as such, are not typically subjected to the same obstacles. The purposely selected sample consisted of seven participants of a program whose mission was to develop women and people-of-color investment managers into more successful investment managers. The research methods included participant interviews and content analysis of documents about the program. Data collections methods included audio-recorded interviews and content analysis of documents about the program. The data were coded and analyzed, first by research question, and then findings were organized into three analytical categories based on the study’s framework. The research revealed two main tensions surrounding being authentic while seeking to raise money from White-male investors and that participants’ gender identity was perceived as an important part of their identity as investment managers. Participants’ capacity to handle these tensions grew after completing the program and they learned to present themselves in an authentic way. Recommendations are offered for educators and women investment managers, and for further research, including: (1) authenticity should be focused on and a key tenet of future programs, (2) having separate cohorts or learning paths for different experience levels, (3) emphasize in person training in order to build relationships with each other and with White-male investors/facilitators, (4) be authentic and run experiments based on being authentic to gauge success, (5) focus on building relationships, (6) think of White males as potential allies instead of adversaries, (7) study authenticity further, (8) expand pool of participants in future studies, (9) integrating future studies into the formal program evaluation, (10) study women professionals in the rest of the investment industry, (11) study White-male investors, and (12) study how subordinate White-males in the industry are treated.

No description available.

The personality characteristic locus of control internality is widely-accepted as a trait possessed by women entrepreneurs. Recent research also suggests the presence of a coexisting attribute of similar strength, characterized as influence of a significant other. The presence of one personality characteristic implying perception of self-directed capability, together with indication of need for external assistance, poses a theoretical paradox. The study's purpose was to determine the nature and extent of direct and interactive effects which these and related variables had on entrepreneur return on investment. It was hypothesized that dimensions of significant other, as operationalized for this research, would support internality of locus of control and also modify constraining effects of educational and experiential disadvantage which the literature cites as pertinent to women entrepreneurs. This was nonexperimental, exploratory research of correlational cross-sectional design which examined hypothesized variable linkages. A convenience sample from a women's entrepreneur networking group was surveyed. Significant other elements were derived from factor analysis, resulting in four common dimensions. These factors, together with Rotter's Locus of Control instrument scores, reports on levels of education and experience, and hypothesized interactions, were independent variables. Hierarchial multiple regression was used to test a proposed path model. Two interpretable four-factor solutions derived from significant other variables were tested in two models. Although neither model attained overall significance, individual variables were directionally as hypothesized, and locus of control and certain factoral dimensions attained bivariate significance. Significant other factors appear to influence locus of control through statistical suppression as they interact with other variables. Results point toward a possibility that significant others who most affect female entrepreneur performance are those who give specific advice and aid, rather than moral support. Further research to explore what seems a strong relationship between return on investment and locus of control internality is recommended.

<p>Nature of work : Bachelor Thesis, 10 credits</p><p>Enterprising and Business Development</p><p>Number of pages : 68 pages</p><p>Title : EBW-phenomenon</p><p>- The Driving Forces Behind Businesswomen in Nybro</p><p>Author : Leonnie Tabanan Ingholt</p><p>Examiner : Richard Nakamura, Växjö University, Sweden</p><p>Mentor : Pernilla Nilsson, Växjö University, Sweden</p><p>Date : May 30, 2007</p>