The use of the Web to carry out business on the Internet has become a viable option in all business sectors, and Internet banking in South Africa is no exception. The nature of business on the Internet in South Africa and the World is investigated. The extent of Internet banking in South Africa is ascertained and the expectations and perceived problems of online bankers are discussed. The importance of Human Computer Interface and Web Interface Design for successful business is promoted with a discussion of their guidelines and principles. Web Evaluation techniques and Tools are assessed and The "Gartner" Web evaluation tool is selected to evaluate the three bank Web sites. The results of the evaluation indicate that there are several generally well implemented design criteria used by all of the banks while some criteria are not implemented at all. Each bank is discussed individually to identify strong and weak features of their Web site design. Essential aspects of Web design have been proposed for inclusion during the design of "online" Banking Web sites.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Masters in Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / This study is aimed to explore the perceptions and attitudes of South African towards products or services of foreign origin, in particular a Jamaican restaurant in Pretoria. The study objectives were to explore that perceptions and attitudes of South Africans toward products and services of foreign origin, investigating the various factors influencing the consumer buyer behaviour towards products including foreign products and services, and to make recommendations regarding the marketing of foreign products and services. A literature review was conducted which detailed the factors influencing consumer buyer behaviour and the various components of the country of origin effect that has consequences on the marketing of products of foreign origin. The study was a quantitative study where a sample of 231 participants between 18 and 65 years of age were selected using availability sampling at a shopping mall in Pretoria. Questionnaires were given to selected participants who completed and returned the completed questionnaire to the researcher. All the selected participants completely filled the questionnaires. The data from the questionnaires was collated using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. The data was then presented as pie and bar charts generated from the frequency tables. Data was analysed using simple descriptive statistics, interpreting the meaning of the data and discussing the data in line with the findings of the literature review. The results showed that the participants’ responses displayed significant phenomena that relates to the perceptions and attitudes of citizens towards foreign products and services. The results demonstrated that many of the participants displayed a significant degree of animosity against foreign products, with ethnocentrism and patriotism. There was also a display of a degree of protectionism of the local industry from the influx of foreign products and services. A significant number of participants also stated that foreign goods must be regulated through higher taxation to protect the local manufacturing industry and prevent further unemployment. However, the results also showed that a significant number of participants do not display animosity towards foreign goods, and neither do they feel bound by ethnocentrism and patriotism, hence they perceive that buying foreign goods is an option. Participants also noted that they consider the country of origin of the products so as to determine the perceived quality, price and utility, often from the perceived country image. / M

Quality of service becomes the main avenue that could be used to gain sustainable competitive advantage. This is due to the fact that the environment within which organisations operate continues to change with respect to customer expectations. The financial sector, in particular the banking industry is not left behind and players in this industry also strive to “up their game” in the competitive market-place. It has become increasingly important for organisations to find ways, not only to reach the top, but to maintain on-going long-term relationship with their customers. This can result in long-term benefits, both for the organisation (by improving marketing productivity) and for the customer (by delivering better quality products). This paper assesses the perception the Business clients/ customers within a business banking environment have about relationship management by Meeg bank in East London branch town of Eastern Cape. A literature survey was undertaken into the importance of Customer Relationship by bank. Questionnaires were sent to all employees of the business clients for their views on Customer Relationship Management (CRM). The result the show importance of the commitment of all employees’ especially senior management is essential for the success of CRM efforts in improving the quality of service offered by an organisation. The research also confirmed the importance of having wide range of options in form of products offered. This will not only benefit the bank in terms of higher profits, but will give the bank the competitive advantage in the market place.

Customer service excellence (CSE) is the common thread that binds all businesses; as without customers no trade can take place. The South African retail sector is one of the drivers of the economy and it is important that CSE is continuously monitored to ensure that standards of excellence are maintained. What remains unknown and unmeasured is the impact of the employees and the organisation on CSE. The retail sector is dependent on its customer facing employees to be the face and character of the store. Investment in advertising and other media exposure must ultimately be tested when a consumer visits a store and experiences the CSE on the ground and in real time. The investment for the retailer becomes worthwhile if the real face of the company reflects the promises made in the media; and that is in the hands of the men and women who work in the stores. This study sought to find out the impact of employees and organisations in the Centurion mall based retail stores on CSE. Literature was reviewed and quantitative and qualitative research methods was undertaken by means of questionnaires that were distributed to the staff and management of national branded stores in the malls around Centurion. The results obtained were then discussed in terms of each variable tested. The study found that organisational commitment, employee education and employee training have a strong relationship to customer service excellence.

Department of Public Health / MPH

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Mzansi rekening, as Eerste Orde Nasionale rekening, is gesamentlik deur die “Groot 4” banke geloods, spesifiek met die oog daarop om toegang tot groter finansiële dienste te bewerkstellig in lyn met die Finansiële Dienste Handves. Hierdie navorsingsverslag ondersoek die sukses van die Mzansi rekening in terme van die verbetering van toegang tot finansiële dienste en die verwesinliking van Prahalad se visie van die Fortuin aan die onderkant van die piramide of die sogenaamde Base of the Pyramid (BoP). Die studie is gedoen deur onderhoude te voer met industrie-kenners wat nou betrokke was met die loods van die Mzansi rekening, asook deur ’n oorsig te doen van ’n verslag van die onlangse kommisie van ondersoek oor kompetisie in die bankwese in Suid Afrika. Die Mzansi rekening is inderdaad suksesvol daarin om toegang tot finansiële dienste vir alle Suid Afrikaners beskikbaar te maak, maar dit is steeds nie winsgewend vir die banke nie. Die Mzansi rekening is dus nie in lyn met Prahalad se visie van die BoP nie. Die winsgewendheid van die rekening in die toekoms hang af van die graad van aanvaarding van armes van meer doeltreffende elektroniese transaksies. Tot op datum wil dit voorkom asof Prahalad se gevoel dat die armes gevorderde tegnologie maklik aanvaar nie in die bank sektor in Suid Afrika geld nie. ’n Toenemende fokus op gebruik eerder as toegang en ’n beter belyning met Prahalad se twaalf beginsels van innovasie by die BoP mag egter wel beter wins vir die banke inhou. Selfs al sou winste nie materialiseer nie, is dit steeds voordelig vir banke wat bereid is om te eksperimenteer en te leer van die Mzansi ervaring. Die Mzansi rekening mag dalk die katalis wees vir nuwe en verbeterde produkte wat suksesvol sal wees in die BOP mark. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Mzansi account, as a First Order National Bank Account, was jointly launched by the Big 4 Banks (ABSA, FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank) specifically to increase access to financial services in line with the requirements of the Financial Sector Charter (FSC). This study explores the success of the Mzansi account with regard to improving access to financial services and achieving Prahalad’s vision of a Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP). The study was conducted by interviewing industry experts who were intimately involved in the launch of the Mzansi account and reviewing the transcripts of the recent commission of enquiry into the competition of banking in South Africa. The Mzansi account has been successful in increasing financial access for all South Africans but has not proved to be profitable for the banks. The Mzansi bank account therefore does not support Prahalad’s vision that there is a fortune at the base of the pyramid. The future profitability of the account is dependent on the acceptance of the poor of more efficient electronic transacting. To date it would seem that Prahalad’s notion that the poor accept advanced technology readily does not apply within the banking sector of South Africa. An increased focus on usage as apposed to access and a better alignment to Prahalad’s twelve principles of innovation at the BoP may well bring increased profits for the banks. Even if profits don’t materialise, for those banks willing to experiment and learn from the Mzansi experience. The Mzansi account may well be a catalyst for new and/or improved products that will be successful in the BoP market.

Full-service restaurants serve many different types of customers with preconceived ideas about what they want and expect to receive from the restaurant. During the dining experience, each customer experiences the service differently and subconsciously evaluates the experience differently. The purpose of this study is to determine the expectations and perceptions of customers regarding the dining experience dimensions at Full-Service Restaurants (FSRs). The dimensions relate to service quality, food quality and ambience quality expectations and perceptions of customers. Customer satisfaction was also analysed, as a satisfied customer will show return intentions and this customer will tell friends and family about this FSR. A self-administered survey of employees at a tertiary academic institution revealed that waiter professionalism, value for money and the atmosphere in the restaurant are the most important considerations when it comes to the expectations of the dining experience. The findings of this study presented a demographic profile (gender, age, home language, highest education qualification, LSM) and it was found that demographic category groups differ in the way that they perceive the dining experience. The study reveals that males tends to be less critical than women, LSM 9 respondents are less critical than LSM 10 respondents and respondents with an undergraduate degree or less are less critical than respondents with a post-graduate degree. Respondents were satisfied overall with their dining experiences. Recommendations include that management must focus on pricing strategies, waiter training and the flow of communication between the restaurant and the customer. The recommendations made in this study will assist management of FSRs to understand the significance of the dining experience dimensions and to implement the required levels of service, food and ambience quality. With this knowledge, the management of FSRs can be assured of a satisfied customer and a competitive offering. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Despite considerable research that has focused on the attributes associated with evaluating and selecting advertising agencies, and an emerging body of literature emphasizing customer loyalty and retention, advertising agency-client investigations have often analysed these attributes in isolation. This created the need for models that represent the interrelated effects that engender retention and loyalty, especially for services, whereby evaluative as well as relational factors can influence buyer responses. Addressing this gap, this research developed and described the construct of buyer consideration sets to gain a better understanding of business relationships. This is with specific reference to advertising agency replacement considerations in the South African environment. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a more complete, integrated view of customer retention and its determinants. A heuristic model was developed with consideration of theories that originate from the transactional cost theory, social exchange theory and economic and relational contract theories. This model was empirically tested using a mixed method approach. Data obtained from 116 respondents were subjected to factor and correlation analysis to explore the dimensionality of the retention construct. An important contribution of this study is the use of multi-item scales to measure and test retention. This research supports that retention is multidimensional and highlights the limitations of research that measure single factors related to retention. What started as a complex set of relationships has been defensibly and systematically simplified into a parsimonious model. This model postulates that retention is the result of a good working relationship between an advertiser and agency; service satisfaction; respect and support; clear terms of engagement; and conflict resolution. This work also offers insight into the nuances of each of these antecedents and offer new reliable scales for measurement of the items. In management practice, this model will provide advertisers with insights with regards to procurement decisions and supplier management. It can also provide valuable insight to agencies with regard to customer retention management. Findings of this study may also be extended to other high value professional service industries. / Business Management and Entrepreneurship / D. Com. (Business Management)

This study is set out to assess the effectiveness of customer relationship management (CRM) in the hotel industry. Relying on the integration of several CRM scholars, the study seeks to answer questions about the relationship between CRM and performance. A mixed research method approach was adopted. The research targeted 106 hotels in Pretoria. 47 responses were received from the hotel personnel who answered the questionnaire. The findings of the survey clearly indicate that hotel performance is dependent on CRM, as shown in the variance of performance levels in line with the level of CRM practised by a specific, named hotel. The study further suggests that hotels’ management should continuously embark on various CRM practices in order to improve their performance. Responses will be captured and analysed using the SPSS computer software. The results will be subjected to quantitative data analysis. It is expected that the findings will highlight important implications for hotels and other hospitality and tourism stakeholders in Pretoria and beyond. Stakeholders wishing to improve their understanding of the effectiveness of CRM in hotels will find this study helpful. / Business Management / M. Tech. (Business Administration)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Technology: Marketing, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / The aim of this study is to investigate service quality at retail banks, such as Standard Bank, ABSA Bank, First National Bank and Nedbank in Durban. The four objectives of this study are set as: Firstly, to identify the level of satisfaction with customer service received from different retail banks in Durban; Secondly, to identify customers’ expectations in terms of quality services provided by retail banks; Thirdly, to ascertain the perceptions of customers towards the service provided by retail banks in Durban; Fourthly, to measure the gaps between customer expectations and perceptions of service quality, using a modified version of the SERVQUAL model. The instrument used to assess the retail bank customer’s expectation and expectations of service quality, was the SERVQUAL questionnaire, measuring expectations and perceptions according to five quality dimensions. A total of 448 students were surveyed. Quota sampling was used in this study, in order to improve representativeness. Using quota sampling involves selecting the characteristics that are required in the sample and then sampling until enough representatives of each category are achieved. Although this is a form of non-probability sampling, a quota sample can provide a good approximation to a probability sample. It means that distributing questionnaires to a certain group would be stopped after the prescribed quota is reached. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Conclusions and recommendations were thereafter drawn from the literature and the findings of the study. The study shows that retail bank customer expectations of service quality exceeded their perceptions in the five service quality dimensions used in the SERVQUAL questionnaire. This study is also important because it will assist bank managers to convert negative perceptions to positive impressions. Consequently, customers will benefit from the improved, outstanding customer service.