Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The 2008/2009 economic downturn had a major impact on the international steel industry. With economic activities declining, the demand for steel decreased and subsequently, prices started to tumble. This put a great deal of pressure on steel manufacturing companies’ financials and they had to focus on cost reduction initiatives to survive. Steel companies who did not follow a turnaround strategy were not able to keep up with the competition. This research study focused on determining the details pertaining to the ArcelorMittal Saldanha Works turnaround strategy, as it is viewed as one of the most successful in the steel industry. Data was obtained from discussions with various role players and managers at ArcelorMittal Saldanha Works. The aim of the interviews was to get the detail of all the steps taken by the company to turn around its performance. Quantitative data describing the operational as well as financial and cost performance was sourced from the ArcelorMittal Saldanha Works Key Performance Indicator (KPI) system and from financial statements and progress reports. It was found that the basis for the turnaround strategy of ArcelorMittal Saldanha Works was World Class Manufacturing as it provided the vehicles through which improvements were managed with the aid of mainly the Autonomous Maintenance (AM), Professional Maintenance(PM), People Development (PD), Focused Improvement (FI), Product Quality (PQ) and Safety Pillars. The Cost Deployment (CD) Pillar was used to identify the biggest losses that needed to be addressed. ArcelorMittal Saldanha Works moved from one of the highest-cost producers in the ArcelorMittal group during 2010 to the second-lowest-cost producer in the group at the end of 2013. It reduced its total cost of production with $70 per ton over this period, without any major capital expenditure. The study concluded that the turnaround of ArcelorMittal Saldanha Works was successful and it is sustainable. This can be seen from the increase in the overall equipment availability, amount of hot-rolled coil tons produced, as well as the EBITDA figures reported in the study.

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.

South African Municipalities have often been labeled as failures in the provision of services to local communities. These allegations include poor governance, maladministration, corruption and poor delivery of services. Certain municipalities are unable to deliver sufficient services to the communities of their geographic areas due to maladministration, political interference and corruption. This study undertook an assessment of the implementation of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy with emphasis on the Umzimvubu Local Municipality. The study comprises of five chapters and was motivated by the National Cabinet‟s decision to turn around the image of South African municipalities. The study includes an overview on the development and transformation of local government in South Africa as a point of departure. This is followed by an assessment of the implementation of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy, with specific reference to the Umzimvubu Local Municipality. The quantitative research methodology was employed for purposes of the study and the interpretation of the research findings are analyzed and described. A number of conclusions that were arrived at during the study, followed by specific recommendations are proposed in the final chapter. These are based on the findings primarily from the literature review and empirical survey.

The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the extent to which the Nkonkobe Local Municipality is able to meet its obligations in terms of the LGTAS - specifically as a rural municipality. Further to investigate what impact, if any, the Report on the State of Local Government in South Africa has had on the municipality. The study moved from the premise that municipalities are different, and that a rural municipality’s response to service delivery and the LGTAS, should be understood in the context of additional challenges, because of its remote locality. The study therefore is based on the assumption that the Nkonkobe Local Municipality has not been able to fully meet the objectives, as they are contained in the LGTAS that was approved by Cabinet in December 2009. The study proposed to give a background of the origin of municipalities and evolution and transformation of Developmental Local Government in South Africa. The in-depth literature review was undertaken on Developmental Local Government to achieve the objective of the study. Local Government Turnaround Strategy analysis with reference to Nkonkobe Local Municipality is also presented to test the proposed hypotheses. The empirical survey and research methodology used in the study is described and explained in-depths and followed by data collection in a form of a questionnaire. The research findings of the empirical survey are then analysed and reported in statistical form. In the final chapter; recommendations are presented based on the empirical survey findings through the respondent’s inputs in the questionnaire. Recommendations are also presented on how Nkonkobe Local Municipality can improve its business to achieve the objectives of LGTAS.