Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Broad-Based Economic Empowerment Act, No. 53 of 2003, and its Codes of Good Practice on Black Economic Empowerment are the cornerstones of a strategy implemented by the South African government to transform the economy to an inclusive one where all citizens have equal opportunities to contribute to the economic growth of the country. The process of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment has a direct impact on the operational activities of all businesses in all business sectors, including the agricultural sector. The main aim of this study is to compile a comprehensive Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment strategy for Overberg Agri Limited. The strategy is based on the implementation of initiatives aimed at compliance with the seven pillars of black economic empowerment as incorporated in the Codes of Good Practice on Black Economic Empowerment. A critical analysis of the legislative framework and executive governmental decrees governing Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment shows that the government of South Africa followed a structured legislative approach to the drafting and implementation of legislation aimed at creating an equitable society by addressing the inter-related issues of human rights, employment equity, skills development, allocation of natural resources and black economic empowerment. Overberg Agri Limited partially addressed its significant non-compliance with the Generic BEE Scorecard by entering into an agreement with Thembeka Capital. However, this transaction only addressed the ownership requirement of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment and had a limited effect on enhancing the black economic empowerment status of Overberg Agri Limited. Overberg Agri can achieve its goal of Level 4 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment status by: • Reorganising its business structure in terms of core agricultural and non-core business activities; • Selling significant stakes in non-core business entities to black shareholders; • Entering into other joint ventures with black businesses; • Addressing all seven elements of the B-BBEE scorecard and making the required resources available for this. This research report provides value due to the fact that it adequately addresses the research problem. It also followed the proposed research procedure in addressing the research problem and it provides the foundation for a general application of its findings. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtigingswet, Nr. 53 van 2003, en die generiese kodes vir goeie praktyk ten opsigte van swart ekonomiese bemagtiging vorm die hoekstene van die strategie wat deur die Suid-Afrikaanse regering geïmplementeer is om die ekonomie te omskep in 'n inklusiewe een waar alle landsburgers gelyke geleenthede gegun word om 'n bydrae te lewer tot die ekonomiese groei van die land. Die proses van Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtiging het 'n direkte invloed op die operasionele bedrywighede van alle besighede in al die besigheidsektore, insluitend die landbousektor. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie is om 'n omvattende Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtigingstrategie vir Overberg Agri Beperk op te stel. Die strategie is gebaseer op die implementering van inisiatiewe wat gemik is op voldoening aan die vereistes van die sewe pilare van swart ekonomiese bemagtiging soos uiteengesit in die generiese kodes vir goeie praktyk vir swart ekonomiese bemagtiging. 'n Kritiese analise van die wetgewende raamwerk en uitvoerende regeringsbesluite wat 'n invloed het op Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtiging dui aan dat die Suid-Afrikaanse regering 'n gestruktureerde wetgewende benadering gevolg het in die opstel en implementering van wetgewing wat daarop gemik is om 'n regverdige samelewing te skep deur aandag te skenk aan die interafhanklike kwessies van menseregte, gelyke indiensneming, vaardigheidsontwikkeling, toekenning van natuurlike hulpbronne en swart ekonomiese bemagtiging. Overberg Agri Beperk het sy aansienlike gebrek aan voldoening aan die voorskrifte van die generiese swart bemagtigingstelkaart gedeeltelik aangespreek deur 'n ooreenkoms met Thembeka Capital aan te gaan. Die transaksie skenk egter slegs aandag aan die eienaarskapvereiste van Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtiging en het 'n beperkte uitwerking op die verhoging van die swart ekonomiese bemagtigingstatus van Overberg Agri Beperk gehad. Overberg Agri Beperk kan sy teiken van Vlak 4 Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtigingstatus bereik deur: • Sybesigheid struktuur te herstruktureer ten opsigte van kern- en nie-kernbesigheidsaktiwiteite; • Aansienlike aandeelhouding van nie-kernbesigheidsentiteite aan swart aandeelhuers te verkoop; • Gesamentlike ondernemings met swart besighede te begin; • Aandag te skenk aan al sewe elemente van die Breëbasis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtigingtelkaart en die hulpbronne beskikbaar te stel wat daarvoor benodig word. Die ondersoekverslag is van waarde aangesien dit die ondersoekvraag volledig aanspreek, die voorgestelde ondersoekprosedure gevolg het en 'n basis skep vir die algemene toepassing van die bevindinge.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: We critically assess the successes and failures of the economic phenomenon that is Black Economic Empowerment as represented by the Ownership Element of the Scorecard. We briefly evaluate the successes and failures of the first wave of BEE deals on the JSE and through the use of contemporary observations of this phenomenon as reported on by the media, we make the key assumption that these media reports are an unbiased account of the phenomenon. We critically assess the current status of BEE and find that progress has been made in terms of black ownership on the JSE, as well as on the legislative front, through the introduction of a comprehensive standardised measurement framework. The progress has in the main been extremely slow and limited. We also find that whilst funding models have improved, the success of BEE deals is still to a large extent dependent on stellar performance of the Stock Exchange and generous dividend policies. Disappointingly we also find that the debate about what constitutes broad-base BEE continues unabated as most deals continue to fail to meet public expectations of broad-base empowerment and equitable equity participation by all BEE deal beneficiaries. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie bied 'n kritiese evaluering van die suksesse en mislukkings van die ekonomiese verskynsel genaamd swart ekonomiese bemagtiging (SEB) aan die hand van die eienaarskapelement van die telkaart. Die eerste vlaag SEB-transaksies op die Johannesburgse Effektebeurs (JEB) word kortliks beoordeel, waarna die media se eietydse waarnemings oor hierdie verskynsel tot die sleutelaanname lei dat sodanige mediaberigte 'n onbevooroordeelde weergawe van die stand van swart ekonomiese bemagtiging is. Die studie bied 'n kritiese beskouing van die huidige status van SEB, en dat daar wél vordering gemaak is met betrekking tot swart eienaarskap op die JEB, sowel as op wetgewende gebied deur die instelling van 'n omvattende, gestandaardiseerde metingsraamwerk. Vordering was egter tot op hede merendeels uiters stadig en beperk. Die studie bevind ook dat hoewel finansieringsmodelle verbeter het, die sukses van SEB-transaksies steeds in 'n groot mate van 'n goeie vertoning op die effektebeurs en ruimhartige dividendbeleid afhang. 'n Teleurstellende bevinding is dat die debat oor die werklike betekenis van breedgebaseerde SEB onverpoos voortduur namate die meeste transaksies versuim om aan die openbare verwagting van breedgebaseerde bemagtiging en gelyke aandeelhouding deur alle SEB-transaksiebegunstigdes te voldoen.

South Africa’s history of the disempowerment of black people (Africans, Coloureds, Indians, and Chinese), presented the post apartheid government after 1994 with problems of policy formulation around empowerment of the previously disadvantaged groups (PDGs). In the wine industry, one possible way of addressing inequality in the access to economic resources and racially skewed land redistribution is through empowerment labelling of wine. Empowerment labelling of wine may promote competitiveness of wine businesses owned by the PDGs. This will help to address inequality problems in the sector. Skinner (2007) demonstrated that empowerment labelling can benefit South African wine firms in international wine markets because empowerment and Fairtrade labelled wines benefit from import preference in most European Union (EU) countries. This study investigates one possible way in which empowerment labelling may benefit wine firms on the domestic markets for wine. Several wine brands with empowerment attributes are currently traded in domestic wine retail markets in South Africa. Very few of these wine brands are broad-based black economic empowerment (BBEE) brands. If South African wine consumers value black economic empowerment in the wine industry, empowerment attribute labelling may be used to identify empowerment products, and thereby promote the competitiveness of Black Economic Empowered wine businesses. This study sets out to quantify South African wine consumers’ willingness to pay (if any) for empowerment labelled wines. Data for the study were collected in 2007 and 2008. Two methods were used for this purpose using two case studies in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The first method used a revealed preference technique to determine whether a price premium exists on the current wine prices or not. Using the hedonic price analysis technique, linear and log-linear hedonic price functions for wine for two wine retail outlets in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands were used to estimate the price premium paid for empowerment attributes in this domestic wine retail market. Explanatory variables which were found to influence wine prices were Platter’s Wine Guide quality rating, Reputation of the winery, and BBEE. Tests on the statistical fit of the models using the Park Test and residual scatter plots indicated that the log-linear model had better data fit. These two models could not be compared using the more traditional R squared and F-statistics as they had different dependent variables. The second method used a stated preference technique to estimate wine consumers’ willingness to pay for empowerment attributes of wine in the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands. Personal interview surveys of consumers at a wine cellar were conducted. The monetary value of these consumers’ willingness to pay was quantified using conjoint analysis and the conditional logistic model. Although the revealed preference techniques for consumer willingness to pay for empowerment labels showed that a negative price premium exists for these wine attributes, the stated preference technique revealed a positive willingness to pay for empowerment attributes. The monetary values could not provide the actual willingness to pay as they tended to be close to the hypothetical price of wine used in the questionnaire. This might be attributable to the prices used in the questionnaire not capturing the average actual wine prices for this specific wine retail outlet. Therefore, the monetary values were used as indicators of the ordering of attribute importance by the consumers. The results also indicated that an information gap between consumers and producers may exist. This implies that, provided that consumers are made aware of these attributes, there may be potential for wine producers to earn a price premium on empowerment attributes. Further research is required to determine whether South African wine consumers (a) value empowerment attributes (using stated preference techniques), and (b) are aware of wine brands that have empowerment attributes. The results of this study would aid government in formulating policies that promote the competitiveness of empowerment attributes such as giving machinery or inputs procurement rebates to wineries that are broad-based empowerment compliant, and in so doing, improve the economic position of previously disadvantaged groups. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

South Africa has embarked on a journey of transformation since 1994. The ruling ANC has introduced many policies aimed at achieving equality, known as "black empowerment". The `empowerment' of black women professionals is especially critical in the transformation era. Empowerment is defined as a process, which "involves individuals gaining control of their lives and fulfilling their needs, …as a result of developing the competencies, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively participate in their social and political worlds" (Kreisberg, 1992:19). From this perspective, empowerment is the essential expression of individualism and self-determination since it embodies the belief that the individual has the ability to effect changes and improve their lives. This individually oriented definition presupposes the importance of constructing one's `self' as unitary and independent. The `unitary self' is a support of the logic of the `Same', which entails the exclusion of otherness and difference. In contrast to this approach, the postmodern theory of Julia Kristeva, with its inherent suspicion of doctrines of pure origins and essences, is corrosive of discourses such as `empowerment' that are developed according to the logic of the Same. Kristeva proposes a subject which is always already `in process'. Identity is a constructed process, rather than a fundamental essence. The Oedipal model, extracted from the Kristevan theory of subjectivity, shows how the nine professional women who partook in this study constructed their selves by placing equality and difference in an antithetical relationship. However, a deconstruction of the Oedipal model opens the construct up to its blind spots and, these subjects are shown to base their identities on the splitting off of their feminine capabilities. Instead of being `unitary self', the subjects are subjects-in-process, and they operate both across and within the competing discourses of traditional femininity and masculinity. As a possible alternative to the positivist paradigm of `empowerment', a Kristevan `herethics' is considered. In South Africa, this is exemplified by the `ubuntu' principle, which entails the recognition of our interdependence. Finally, in order to assist these professional women to embrace the alterity within, whilst competing in a constantly changing and intellectually challenging world, life skills coaching which focuses on the often repressed, emotional aspects, is recommended. / Psychology / D.Litt et Phil. (Psychology)

Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) play an important role in contributing to economic development of many countries around the world, including South Africa. Despite the importance of SMMEs an unacceptable and disappointingly high number of these ventures fail during the first few years of operation. It is in light of the importance and challenges faced by SMMEs that the performance of SMMEs is of interest to all countries. This study investigated the impact of entrepreneurship education on the performance of SMMEs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The objectives of the study were to investigate the role of entrepreneurship education in improving entrepreneurship skills and knowledge of owner/managers of SMMEs in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, to determine the role of entrepreneurship education on the establishment and survival of SMMEs and to identify strategies that can be implemented to improve the performance of SMMEs. Both primary and secondary data sources were used in this study. A quantitative research design was used in conducting this research. Simple random sampling, a probability sampling technique was used to select a sample of 201 from the sample frame of 420 registered SMMEs. The survey method, by way of a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data. The statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) is the statistical software that was used to analyse data. The Chi-square test, the T-test, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Validity and reliability of the research instrument and the findings was assured. The results for this study are useful for the development of the SMME sector, which is very important to South Africa for they contribute to the solving of socio-economic challenges. The findings of this research showed that entrepreneurship education has a positive impact on the performance of SMMEs and it plays a critical role in improving entrepreneurial skills and knowledge of SMME owners and managers. It was also found that entrepreneurial education is very important for the establishment and survival of SMMEs. Strategies that can be implemented to improve the performance of SMMEs in South Africa were suggested to the government, government agencies, educational institutions, other organisations, and SMME owners and managers.

This study endeavoured to uncover the trust experiences of individuals involved in business alliances between traditional companies (TCs) and historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs) with a view to constructing a model that would facilitate a better understanding of organisational trust within these institutions. The theoretical study proposed a theoretical model of trust in the alliances between TCs and HDIs within an economic empowerment domain. The empirical study employed Q methodology to investigate the trust experiences of the participants. The 25 individuals who participated in the study were selected by means of both non-probability purposive and snowball sampling The participants were presented with the Q sample containing 50 items which they had to sort in accordance with the instruction given. The post-Q sorting interview was conducted to give the participants a chance to expound on their reasoning for the sorting of the Q sample. Data were analysed using Pearson product-moment correlation and factor analysis. Six factors revealed participants’ experiences of trust in the alliances: Factor A (Sincerity trust alliances), Factor B (Values trust alliances), Factor C (Duped trust alliances), Factor D (Vigilant trust alliances), Factor E (Deceitful trust alliances) and Factor F (Inclination to trust alliances). The trust experiences of the six groups were used to theorise about the association between the participants’ trust experiences and their performance on the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). In the main, the study found that groups that had pleasant trust experiences with their partner organisations exhibited have high positive affect (PA) and low negative affect (NA). Although exploratory in nature, the study contributed an empirically derived theoretical framework of cognitive and affective trust within business alliances that may be further investigated in future research endeavours. In this was it identified and proposed a modus operandi for closing the trust gap. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The purpose of this research was to investigate the level of job satisfaction among financial inspectors in order to measure the level of job satisfaction, to identify the reasons for the level of job satisfaction, to present findings, and to make recommendations to the Inspectorate Division that would improve the feeling of empowerment of financial inspectors. This mini-dissertation entails a literature review and empirical study. The data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire based on the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). The outcome of the research indicates that there is lower level of job satisfaction among financial inspectors with regard to the manner in which inspection reports are sent to inspected departments and their feedback; the training programme of financial inspectors; payments based on the Performance Management System (PMS); job insecurity and the transfer of financial inspectors to other sections or departments; communication channels within the Inspectorate Division and Office of the Premier with regard to the control of inspectors; provision of cell phones to financial inspectors and their supervision by their managers; working conditions and involvement of financial inspectors in decisions that affect them at work. The main finding is that financial inspectors indeed experience a lower level of job satisfaction with regard to almost all the factors investigated under the problem statement and thus, the practice of empowerment is recommended as a solution to address the Inspectorate problems. / Business Management / M.Tech.

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om te bepaal of betekenisvolle verskille bestaan tussen werknemerdoeltreffendheid en persepsies van gehalte van werklewe van bemagtigde en niebemagtigde skofwerkers in die Suid-Afrikaanse petrochemiese bedryf. Skofwerknavorsing het gedurende die afgelope dekade internasionaal toegeneem. Hiermee gepaardgaande het verskeie intervensies ontstaan om die doeltreffendheid van skofwerkers en hulle gehalte van werklewe te bevorder. Deur gebruik te maak van 'n gekombineerde vraelys ("Standard Shiftwork Index") en werklike data ten opsigte van afwesigheid en prestasiebeoordelings, is 'n steekproef van 102 gevalle geanaliseer. 'n 90 persent betroubaarheidinterval is gebruik om waardes ten opsigte van elke veranderlike te bepaal. Daar is bevind dat werknemerbemagtiging weinig invloed het op skofwerkers se werkbywoning. Daar is ook gevind dat werknemerbemagtiging nie lei tot 'n meer positiewe persepsie, by toesighouers, van skofwerkwerkers se algemene werkprestasie nie. Daar is egter bevind dat skofwerkers se persepsies van hulle gehalte van werklewe, ten opsigte van werkdissatisfaksie, chroniese vermoeidheid en tevredenheid met sosiale omstandighede, wel positiefbelnvloed word deur werknemerbemagtiging. Aanbevelings is gemaak ten opsigte van die aanwending van werknemerbemagtiging, as intervensie in skofwerkomgewings, asook vir verdere skofwerknavorsing in Suid-Afrika. / The purpose of this research was to determine if significant differences exist between employee effectiveness and perceptions of quality of working life of empowered and non-empowered shiftworkers in the South-African petrochemical industry. By using the Standard Shiftwork Index and real absenteeism and appraisal data, a sample of 102 cases was analysed. A 90 percent confidence interval was used to determine t-values for variables. It was found that empowerment has little influence on the work attendance of shiftworkers and that empowerment does not lead to more positive perceptions of general work performance of shiftworkers, among their supervisors. It was, however, found that shiftworkers' perceptions of their quality of working life are improved by empowerment in respect of work dissatisfaction, chronic fatigue and satisfaction with social circumstances. Suggestions were made concerning the use of empowerment, as an intervention, in shiftwork environments and for future shiftwork research in South-Africa. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Comm. (Bedryfsielkunde)

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the implementation of the affirmative action policy within the Pretoria district of the South African Police Service. There is a need to examine and understand how the SAPS remove unfair discrimination in recruitment and selection processes in the implementation of affirmative action measures. Prior to 1994 the South African Police Force was male dominated and racism was fully institutionalised. Black people (Africans, Indians and coloureds), women and disabled people were marginalised and denied appropriate employment and advancement opportunities. The focus of the study was to identify challenges or problems encountered by the SAPS during the implementation of affirmative action policy; propose the strategies through which the SAPS can address discrimination in personnel staffing processes; and to assess and describe the criteria utilised by the SAPS in identifying the beneficiaries of affirmative action. The study includes the survey of international and national literature on the implementation of affirmative action. The study was conducted at 35 police stations within the district of Pretoria. The survey questionnaires were distributed to the respondents whereby three hundred and seventy (370) returned completed questionnaires, meeting the required sample figures. The respondents were selected by using a quota sampling. Qualitative research methodology was utilised in the interpretation and analysis of data. In addition, data was also collected through the documentary study. The major findings of this study illustrated that job requirements and responsibilities are seldom adjusted to accommodate disabled people. The communication of affirmative action policy is seen by respondents as being problematic. Respondents believe that affirmative action discriminates against certain groups within the disadvantaged groups. The research has divulged that the usage of interviews and involvement of supervisors in interview panels would minimise unfair discrimination in the allocation of promotional positions. Diversity management is not fully implemented to support affirmative action. People of all races are not employed to positions on the basis of their qualifications, experience and competencies as they deserve. The SAPS does not consider academic qualifications as criterion in the allocation of promotions. / Public Administration & Management / M. Admin. (Public Administration)

Broad-based black economic empowerment (BBEE) is a policy objective in South Africa. Farmworker equity-share schemes (FWES) satisfy several of the empowerment goals specified by the proposed AgriBEE Scorecard. Information about the costs and benefits of subscribing to an empowerment label will help managers to make more informed decisions about empowerment and could therefore promote BBEE. The Thandi label is an initiative to market fruit and wines originating from FWES and farms operated by previously disadvantaged farmers. A case study of the Thandi label was undertaken to determine whether or not the accredited empowerment attribute adds value to Thandi products. An exploratory-explanatory case study was adopted basing questions largely on the theoretical propositions of asymmetric information, the benefits of product labelling and the preconditions for a successful label. Primary data were collected via in-depth interviews with managers of Capespan, The Company of Wine People and empowerment farms participating in the Thandi label. The study made use of in-depth interviews with key informants to investigate issues considered (on theoretical grounds) to be critical in establishing a successful label. Responses were subsequently tabulated and compared, where relevant, across respondents in order to check for consensus views. Results indicate that the Thandi label had not succeeded in differentiating fruit, whereas the Thandi wine label had increased sales revenue and was covering accreditation costs incurred by farms as well as the recurring costs of maintaining and marketing the label. Thandi fruit had not grown its share of the domestic or export markets and did not command a price premium, Capespan subsequently discontinued the Thandi fruit label. Thandi wine, on the other hand, had grown its export market and consumers were prepared to pay a premium for Thandi wine products. The data indicate that empowerment attributes were useful in finding shelf space for products, but that quality is essential to grow market share and to earn price premiums. In short, accredited empowerment attributes can add value to quality products sold to discerning consumers who lack information about empowerment and quality attributes at the point of sale. Empowerment labels must include quality attributes. Government should at least absorb some of the transaction costs confronting producers and marketing agencies in negotiating standards for farms and firms participating in generic empowerment labels. It could also offer auditing services to local accreditation agencies to improve their credibility. Further research estimating consumers' willingness-to-pay for products branded with empowerment labels is necessary to estimate the size of premiums that different products may command. / Thesis (M.Ag.Man.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.