D.Comm. / The purpose of this study is to: Provide a framework to analyse the key drivers of competitiveness within a cluster2 of industries; Apply the framework to test the ability of the framework to inform policy and strategic choices; Utilise a number of sectoral studies, to draw general conclusions regarding South Africa's national competitive environment; and Highlight some policy recommendations that emerge from the analysis of the national competitive environment. The transformation of political power from the National Party (NP) to the African National Congress (ANC) involved a revision of priorities for the South African economy. Different political parties contributed in various formats to the pre-election economic debate. Among these, the ANC's "Reconstruction and Development Programme" (RDP) and the Government's "Normative Economic Model" initially received most attention. Although both of the above-mentioned policy documents emphasised the importance of higher economic growth, neither of them elaborated on specific action initiatives to attain greater economic prosperity. At that stage, the new Government of National Unity still had to provide the details regarding an economic programme for reconstruction and development. In view of the ANC's pre-election promises, it was expected that the development of the economy, to the benefit of all South Africans, would be one of the new government's highest priorities during the next two to five years. In this regard, it was anticipated that an analysis of the international competitiveness of the South African economy at a macro-economic as well as a more detailed sectoral level, will be of significant value. At the outset of this study, early in 1994, the then National Economic Forum launched the "Global Advantage of South Africa Project" to analyse the competitiveness of the domestic economy. This study was structured to follow the approach that was developed by professor Michael Porter in his competitive analysis of ten nations, as described in his book "The Competitive Advantage of Nations", as well as subsequent work in this field that had been done by "The Monitor Company" in a number of countries 3. The Competitive Advantage of Nations (CAON) approach provides a unique framework to develop a better understanding of the conditions that govern the competitive ability of firms within a nation. This thesis will attempt to explain and apply the CAON-thinking and frameworks in the South African context, in an effort to: provide a reference guide for institutions or individuals that will be involved in the industrial policy research on competitiveness that needs to be undertaken during the next few years; to develop a better understanding of South Africa's competitive platform; and to formulate recommendations to enhance the country's international competitiveness.

Assignment (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: From 1954 to 1993 the Rooibos Control Board, a statutory one-channel marketing system, regulated the rooibos industry. In 1993 the industry was deregulated and competition between different role players in the industry emerged. In this study competitiveness is analysed from both a historical as well as a modem -day perspective. Modem economic theory defines that competition is good for all industry and that it leads to economic development. In the case of the rooibos industry, one could be inclined to think that the unique character of the product and the fact that the Control Board had established a marketing mechanism would limit competition and rivalry in the post -Control Board era. Inthis study it was determined that deregulation in this industry coincided with very intense price-driven rivalry in the export market whilst very little rivalry occurred in the domestic market. The information for this thesis was obtained from published Annual Reports of the Rooibos Control Board and from personal interviews with the main role players in the industry. Two strategies that could enhance the competitiveness of this industry are recommended: 1. Repositioning rooibos as a gourmet health tea. 2. Improving supply chain coordination within the industry. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verbetering van die Mededingendheid van die Rooibos Industrie Vanaf 1954 tot 1993 het die Rooibos Beheerraad, 'n statutêre enkelkanaal bemarkingsorganisasie, die rooibosindustrie gereguleer. In 1993 is die bedryf gedereguleer en kon mededinging tussen verskillende rolspelers plaasvind. In hierdie studie word mededinging uit beide 'n historiese sowel as moderne perspektiefbestudeer. Moderne ekonomiese teorie stel dit dat mededinging tot voordeel van alle industrieë is en dat dit lei tot ekonomiese ontwikkeling. In die geval van rooibos sou mens geneig wees om te dink dat die unieke karakter van die produk en die feit dat 'n bestaande bemarkingskanaal alreeds bestaan, mededinging sou beperk in die post-Beheerraad tydvak. In hierdie studie is bevind dat deregulering gepaard gegaan het met intense prys-gedrewe mededinging in die uitvoermark, terwyl die binnelandse mark bykans geen mededinging ervaar rue. Die inligting vir hierdie tesis is verkry uit gepubliseerde Jaarverslae van die Rooibos Beheerraad en deur persoonlike onderhoude wat gevoer is met rolspelers binne die bedryf Twee strategieë word voorgestel waarmee die bedryf meer mededingend gemaak kan word: 1. Produk herposisionering as 'n gourmet gesondheidstee. 2. Verbeterde koordinasie binne die voorsieningskettings.

Thesis (M.Law) --University of Limpopo, 2008 / the University of Limpopo Financial Office

D.Comm. / The South African automotive sector and its various role-players are caught in a battle for survival. A variety of national and international challenges are being faced. The international change agents are in the form of globalisation and trade liberalisation. These are forcing the country to open up its previously protected automotive industry and become exposed to global competition. These and other developments are laying bare the reality that South Africa and its automotive industry will, in its current format, not be able to withstand the competitive pressures. South Africa's national competitiveness is generally weak, with the country exhibiting particular shortcomings in the area of human capital development, human capital deployment, the inability to sustain growth and attract investments, as well as the creation of wealth in general. The local automotive industry is also under significant pressure through global automotive developments as well as its own lack of competitiveness. The lack of competitiveness is mainly due to historic protectionism and disadvantages of a small local market. Survival depends increasingly on a rise in South African automotive exports. This will, however, require that a variety of particular weaknesses are dealt with effectively, such as the poor industrial relations prevalent in the industry and the widespread lack of Best Practices. South Africa has no choice but to transform on a national, industry and organisational level if the automotive industry is to survive or prosper in the new millennium. The local automotive industry is unlikely to survive if the country's national competitiveness is not significantly improved

In an ever changing competitive environment, business is constantly faced with decisions. The ability to make informed decisions hinges on the organization’s power to properly integrate/position technology into the business processes of the organization. To stay in business organizations must be able to compete with rivals in their industry. The purpose of this research is to determine why the Geographic Information System (GIS) is not being utilized to its full potential. In order to determine the reason for this under utilization a literature study was undertaken with respect to GIS, how GIS is being positioned within PROPNET and what steps can be taken to improve the strategic positioning of GIS within PROPNET. A study was conducted which was limited to GIS professionals. An introduction to GIS is also given. A survey was then conducted within PROPNET. The survey covered competitive advantage, the value chain, kinds of information systems in relation to the different groups served within an organization and GIS. The results of the research survey corresponded with views expressed in the literature. Results concluded that GIS is incorrectly positioned within PROPNET for it to be competitive and that it should be repositioned within the operational level of the organization and utilized as a transaction processing system. The repositioning will lead to competitive advantage over rivals. Literature also revealed that GIS can be found in all sectors of the value chain. A strategy is proposed to reposition GIS within PROPNET. Recommendations are made to guide the repositioning. The subject field is new and there is little literature on GIS positioning and competitive advantage. There are significant advantages to repositioning GIS within PROPNET.

No description available.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African apple industry is influenced by a number of factors, including increased globalisation of markets, trade liberalisation, advances in information technology and consumer preferences. These factors have a continuous effect on the competitiveness of the industry and force producers and processors to position themselves as capable competitors in the global free-market environment. This study measures and analyse the competitiveness of the South African apple industry, including some aspects in the value chain, in an attempt to address the following research question: What is the global competitive advantage of the South African apple industry relative to its competitors. To adequately address this research question, a five-step methodology was used to direct the study: The first step was to define competitiveness in the apple industry. Due to the diversity of definitions of competitiveness as a concept, this study adopted the following working definition based on how Esterhuizen, 2006; Freebairn, 1986 define competitiveness. In their view competitiveness is defined as the ability of an industry (apple industry) to trade its products successfully in order to achieve sustainable business growth within the global environment, while earning at least the opportunity cost of returns on resources employed” This definition is accepted in this study because it is noted that competitiveness is most often associated with trade performance. With the above in mind, and in view of the importance of open global apple trade, competitive performance in the South African apple industry is strongly linked to trade performance. The second step was to measure competitive performance based on the accepted definition. Data from the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations and Trade Map was used to examine the competitiveness of the industry. Three internationally recognised indexes were used to calculate the comparative and competitive advantages of the apple industry in South Africa, namely the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA#) index, the Net Export index (NXi), and the Relative Revealed Comparative Trade Advantage (RTA) index. The results show that South Africa’s apple industry has sustained a competitive advantage, with most of the recent RCA# and RTA index values moving towards 10. When compared with its competitors, Chile and New Zealand show a strong competitive performance, with RTA index values above 10. However, South Africa has a relatively better global competitive advantage over Italy, Argentina, France, Poland, China and the United States of America and are sustaining a third position on the “international apple podium”. Netherlands and Brazil are internationally uncompetitive in the production of apples In step 3 the Apple Executive Survey (AES) was used to identify the factors that constrain and enhance the competitiveness of the South Africa apple industry so that the industry can improve on those factors that constrain competitiveness in order to improve its competitive performance status. The most important factors that were found to have a negative impact on the competitiveness of the South African apple industry were quality of low-skilled labour, cost of crime, availability of skilled labour, SA labour policy, the cost of infrastructure, trust in the political system, administrative regulations, health-related issues (HIV/Aids), the cost of capital and land reform policy. The findings indicate that much needs to be done in these focus areas to boost the competitiveness of the industry in the international market. Factors that enhance the competitiveness of the industry were growth in the international market, the availability of unskilled labour, the availability of transport, competition in the domestic market, industry expenditure on research and development (R&D), the quality of infrastructure, the availability of storage facilities and South African (SA) competition policy. The industry needs to capitalise on these factors in order to improve its competitiveness. In step 4 the Porter Model was then used to group these factors in to the main determinants for competitiveness to prepare the date for an strategic analyses in step 5 where recommendation were made on actions to enhance and rectify or mitigate some of the challenges that are faced by the apple industry in South Africa – these includes: skills training, development of alternative markets, improved cooperation between the apple industry and the government is necessary in supporting the apple industry through infrastructure development, R&D, globally aligned regulations and support to trade promotion. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse appelbedryf word deur ’n verskeidenheid van faktore beïnvloed, waaronder verhoogde globalisering van markte, liberalisering van handel, vooruitgang in inligtingstegnologie en verbruikersvoorkeure. Hierdie faktore het ’n deurlopende effek op die mededingendheid van die bedryf en dwing produsente en prosesseerders om hulleself as bekwame mededingers in die globale vryemarkomgewing te posisioneer. Hierdie studie meet en analiseer die mededingendheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse appelbedryf, insluitende aspekte van die waardeketting, in ’n poging om die volgende navorsingsvraag aan te spreek: Wat is die globale mededingende voordeel van die Suid-Afrikaanse appelbedryf teenoor dié van sy mededingers? Om hierdie navorsingsvraag behoorlik aan te spreek, is ’n vyfstap-metodologie gebruik om hierdie studie te rig: Die eerste stap was om mededingendheid van die appelbedryf te definieer. As gevolg van die verskeidenheid van definisies van mededingendheid as ’n konsep, het hierdie studie die volgende bruikbare definisie aangeneem, wat gebaseer is op hoe Esterhuizen (2006) en Freebairn (1986) mededingendheid definieer. Hulle siening is dat mededingendheid die vermoë van ’n bedryf (die appelbedryf) is om suksesvol met sy produkte handel te dryf om sodoende onderhoubare besigheidsgroei binne die globale omgewing te behaal, terwyl dit ook ten minste die geleentheidskoste verdien van die opbrengs op hulpbronne gebruik. Hierdie definisie word in die studie aanvaar om beslag te gee aan die uitvoergeneigdheid van die appelbedryf en dat dit opgelet is dat mededingendheid in die bedryf sterk verband hou met handelsprestasie. Die tweede stap was om die mededingende prestasie op grond van die aanvaarde definisie te meet. Data vanaf die Verenigde Nasies se Food and Agricultural Organization( vanaf 1961) en Trade Map ( vanaf 2001) is gebruik om die mededingendheid van die bedryf te ondersoek. Drie internasionaal erkende indekse is gebruik om die vergelykende en mededingende voordele van die appelbedryf in Suid-Afrika te meet, naamlik die Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA#) indeks, die Netto Uitvoer-indeks (Net Export index (NXi)), en die Relative Revealed Comparative Trade Advantage (RTA) indeks. Die resultate toon dat Suid-Afrika se appelbedryf deurlopend ’n posetiewe mededingende voordeel het, met die meeste van die RCA#- en RTA-indekswaardes oor die afgelope dekade stygend na net onder die waarde van 10. In vergelyking met die land se mededingers toon Chili en Nieu-Seeland sterker mededingende prestasie, met RTA-indekswaardes bokant 10. Suid-Afrika het egter ’n relatief beter globale mededingende voordeel oor sy belangrikste mededingers, naamlik Italië, Argentinië, Frankryk, Pole, China en die Verenigde State van Amerika en beklee n konstante derde plek op die “internasionale appel poduim”. Nederland en Brasilië is internasionaal onmededingend in appelproduksie. In stap drie is die Apple Executive Survey (AES) gebruik om die faktore te identifiseer wat die mededingendheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse appelbedryf strem of verhoog. Die belangrikste faktore wat gevind is om ’n negatiewe impak op die mededingendheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse appelbedryf te hê, was die kwaliteit van laag geskoolde arbeid, die koste van misdaad, die beskikbaarheid van geskoolde arbeid, SA arbeidswetgewing, infrastruktuurkoste, lae vertroue in die politieke stelsel, komplekse en tydrowende administratiewe regulasies, gesondheidsverwante kwessies (MIV/Vigs), die koste van kapitaal en sake wat verband hou met die grondhervormingsbeleid. Die bevindinge toon dat veel nog in hierdie fokusgebiede gedoen moet word om die mededingendheid van die bedryf in die internasionale mark te verhoog. Faktore wat die mededingendheid van die bedryf verhoog, was groei in die internasionale mark, die beskikbaarheid van ongeskoolde arbeid, die beskikbaarheid van vervoer, mededingendheid in die binnelandse mark, besteding op navorsing en ontwikkeling, die kwaliteit van infrastruktuur, die beskikbaarheid van opbergfasiliteite en Suid-Afrikaanse (SA) mededingingsbeleid. Die bedryf moet op hierdie faktore kapitaliseer om sy mededingendheid te verbeter. In stap vier is die Porter-model gebruik om hierdie faktore in die vernaamste determinante vir mededingendheid te groepeer om die raamwerk te stel vir ’n strategiese analise in stap 5, waar aanbevelings gemaak is oor optredes om sommige van die uitdagings wat die appelbedryf in Suid-Afrika in die gesig staar aan te pas, te verbeter en reg te stel. Hierdie sluit in verbeterde vaardigheidsopleiding veral in die laag geskoolde groepe, ontwikkeling van alternatiewe markte, en verbeterde samewerking tussen die appelbedryf en die regering, wat nodig is om vertroue te skep en die appelbedryf d.m.v. infrastruktuurontwikkeling, navorsing en ontwikkeling, globaal belynde regulasies en handelsbevording te ondersteun.

Thesis (MSc(Agric))--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The pnmary alm of this study was to investigate the national competitive advantage of the South African abalone industry. A further aim was therefore to investigate the environment, in which the South-African abalone industry operates. Secondary aims included presenting a detailed description of the roleplayers in the South African abalone industry, and considering whether the South African abalone industry can be made more competitive and, if so, how this can be achieved. The achievement of these aims required a framework to establish which data is necessary for the task. The framework selected involved a combination of Porter's Five Forces analysis and Diamond Model. The study suggests that South African abalone firms should promote South African abalone more actively, invest more funds in human resources, and that the industry's faith in government needs to be restored, which can be achieved by improving the services offered by public institutions like the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Marine and Coastal Management (M&CM). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel met die studie was om die nasionale kompeterende voordeel van die Suid Afrikaanse perlemoen industrie te ondersoek. Om dit te bereik, moes die omgewing waarin die industrie fuksioneer ontleed en die rolspelers in die industrie deeglik beskryf word. 'n Verdere doel was om te bepaal of dit moontlik is om die kompeterendheid van die industrie te verhoog, en indien wel, hoe dit bereik kan word. Die raamwerk wat gekies is om die doelstellings te bereik bestaan uit 'n kombinasie van Porter se "Five Farces" analise en "Diamond Model". Die resultate dui aan dat die industrie Suid-Afrikaanse perlemoen meer aktief moet bekendstel, individuele ondernemings meer in hul menslike hulpbronne moet investeer, en dat die industrie se vertroue in die nasionale regering herstel moet word, deur die dienste te verbeter wat deur publieke instellings soos die Suid-Afrikaanse Buro van Stanaarde (SABS), Departement Handel en Nywerheid en Mariene- en Kusbestuur verskaf word.

Thesis (MComm.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the recent past the industrialised world bore witness to staggering growth in the secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy. In the face of this growth process economic theory had to confront new challenges in explaining and interpreting economic phenomena. The complex nature of inter- and intra-firm relationships forced a pragmatic stance on policy makers to ensure that all actions are efficient and competitive. Two prominent schools of thought with contradictory viewpoints emerged. The Structuralists built upon the foundations laid by Bain (1951) and Mason (1939). This implied a theoretical framework, namely the Structure, Conduct and Perofrmance paradigm (SCP paradigm) that could be used to explain inter- and intra-firm relations according to a simple forward causality argument. The Structuralists' interpretation of the SCP paradigm provides strong support for the implementation of deconcentration measures by competition authorities. The Chicago School, however, developed a counter-argument inspired by Demsetz's (1973) efficiency hypothesis. According to them, causality is reversed and deconcentration measures are used at the expense of the most efficient firms. The thesis aims to study these contradictory arguments as well as their evolution in South Africa. Various researchers in South Africa have built on the arguments of the Structuralists and the Chicagoans regarding the manufacturing sector. The theoretical methods implemented by them will be applied to the long-term insurance industry to assess the validity of the SCP paradigm as a theoretical framework for the application of competition policy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Fenomenale groei in die sekondêre en tersiêre sektore van die ekonomie het nuwe uitdagings ter verklaring en interpretering van inter- en intra-ondernemingsverhoudinge verskaf. Die komplekse aard van die verhoudinge het 'n pragmatiese aanslag ter versekering van effektiwiteit deur beleidmakers genoodsaak. Twee prominente denkskole met teenstrydige argumente het ontstaan. Die Strukturaliste het hulle sieninge op die werk van Bain (1951) en Mason (1939) gebaseer. Hierdie teorieë verwys na 'n teoretiese raamwerk, naamlik die Struktuur, Gedrag en Prestasie paradigma (SGP paradigma), wat gebruik kan word om inter- en intra-ondernemingsverhoudinge aan die hand van 'n kousaliteitsvloei van struktuur na prestasie, te verklaar. Die Strukturaliste se interpretasie van die SGP paradigma verskaf ondersteuning Vir die implementering van 'n dekonsentrasiebeleid deur mededingingsowerhede. Die Chicago Skool het 'n argument ontwikkel wat op die effektiwiteitshipotese van Demsetz (1973) gebaseer is. Volgens hulle beweeg kousaliteit in die teenoorgestelde rigting as wat die Strukturaliste beweer en straf dekonsentrasiemaatreëls die mees effektiewe ondernemings. Hierdie werkstuk het ten doelom hierdie argumente sowel as die evolusie daarvan in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks te ondersoek. Verskeie navorsers in Suid-Afrika het op argumente van dié twee denkskole ten opsigte van die vervaardingingsektor voortgebou. Die teoretiese metodiek wat deur hulle ontwikkel is, sal aangewend word om die geldigheid van die SGP paradigma as die teoretiese raamwerk vir die aanwending van 'n mededingingsbeleid in die langtermyn-versekeringsbedryf van Suid-Afrika vas te stel.

M.B.A. / In this project, the researcher has investigated the factors relevant to competitiveness within the South African Chemicals Industry with the purpose of determining a conceptual framework of the strategic areas important for competitiveness in the South African Chemicals Industry. The challenge of the research problem resided in the fact that this study required the formulation of recommendations that would contribute to the development of competitive strategy for an industry that is diverse and fragmented in its historical development, strategies employed, markets served, technologies used, products manufactured and marketed, and scale of production. An additional challenge was the proprietary and confidential nature of the technology and strategies employed by individual firms within the industry. Given this paradigm, the researcher relied upon qualitative research techniques to address the complexity presented by the research problem. Individual focus interviews were employed to collect data. The data was then analysed and transcribed according to a specific protocol. Subsequently, the data was discussed and compared to literature available on the subject. Finally, conclusions were drawn and recommendations made which the researcher hopes make a positive contribution to the body of knowledge available with which to tackle the formidable problems facing the South African Chemicals Industry.