Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Agriculture remains an important industry in South Africa. Although primary agriculture contributes only 4.5% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the related agrifood industry contributes an additional 9%. Furthermore agriculture is a major provider of employment, especially in rural areas where more than 50% of the local community depends on agriculture. In general Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) is accepted as a precondition to a stable and prosperous South Africa. As a result thereof various sector plans have been negotiated and at this stage agriculture is busy with final inputs towards the Agricultural BEE plan to be finalised in December 2004. Ownership and management transformation however are difficult for most farming enterprises as most of them are small family enterprises. Therefore they will support BEE agricultural input providers to support BEE. According to the BEE Score Card it will be possible to adhere to BEE requirements without adhering to ownership and management requirements provided that good scores are obtained from the other aspects such as skills development, BEE initiatives, preferred suppliers and other. The transfer of ownership also has significant financial implications. It is estimated that R65 billion will be needed to achieve the proposed objectives of 30% agricultural land and 35% of agricultural businesses in the RSA to be transfered to black people by 2014. However, only R703 million has been spend on land restitution during the past year and only R933 million budgeted for 2004/2005. The feasibility of processed oats to be marketed as rolled oats, quick oats and muesli as such a BEE initiative has been evaluated in this study project as a joint venture between Agricol and SSK. Agricol (seed company) has cereal type oat varieties whilst Sentraal Suid-Koóperasie (Farmer Cooperative) has good grain handling infrastructures in the major oat producing areas. This project will provide both counterparts with the opportunity to integrate vertically, diversify sources of income (away from primary agriculture), empower previously disadvantaged individuals in both organisations and to meet BEE objectives. This study indicates that such a BEE initiative is feasible and offers a very good return to participants. Extremely high hygene and quality assurance standards of the processed product, the marketing thereof and market access has been identified as critical performance areas. At a dehulled percentage of 60% and price paid for oats of R1000 per ton, 600 ton of the processed oats will have to be sold annually to ensure a profit of R140 000 per annum. Subject to the budgeted figures, the project has the potential to realise a R843000 profit in year 5. The value of the new company based on the discounted cash flow method, will be R2.7 to R3.9 million. Due to the initial losses and associated negative cash flows, the value is primarily represented by the terminal value of the company after 5 years. Current shareholders require an expected return on capital of 15%. Internal rate of return for the project is 42% which is much more that the hurdle rate. The intented BEE initiative therefore definitely adds value to shareholders. Important people issues like shared vision, values, expectations, trust and commitment needs to addressed continuously to realise the potential of the project. Strong and skilled leadership will also play a decisive role as important decisions will have to be taken continuously. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Landbou bly 'n beIangrike industrie in Suid-Afrika en alhoewel primêre-landbou slegs 4.5% van Bruto Binnelandse Produk (BBP) bydra, word die bydrae van die landbouverwante agrivoedsel industrie op 'n addisionele 9% beraam. Landbou is verder 'n belangrike werkverskaffer, veral op die platteland waar meer as die helfte van die bevolking soms van landbou afhanklik is. Daar word algemeen aanvaar dat Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtiging (SEB) 'n voorvereiste tot 'n stabiele en welvarende Suid-Afrika is. In die lig hiervan is verskeie sektor SEB handveste alreeds onderhandel en die landbousektor is tans besig om insette te lewer ten einde die landbou handves teen Desember 2004 te finaliseer. Aangesien meeste boerdery ondernemings egter klein familie ondernemings is wat moeilik eienaarskap en bestuurstransformasie kan akkomodeer, sal hulle SEB landbou inset verskaffers ondersteun om sodoende SEB te ondersteun. Volgens die SEB telkaart sal dit vir ondernemings moontlik wees om aan SEB vereistes te voldoen alhoewel daar nie noodwendig aan eienaarskap en bestuursvereistes voldoen is nie, maar wel goeie tellings op die gebied van vaardigheidsontwikkeling, SEB inisiatiewe, voorkeurvoorsiening en ander fasette behaal is. Die oordrag van eienaarskap het ook omvattende finansiële implikasies. Daar word beraam dat ongeveer R65 miljard benodig word om die voorgestelde doelwitte van 30% landbougrond en 35% van landboubesighede in die RSA teen 2014 aan swart mense oor te dra. Hierteenoor is slegs R703 miljoen die afgelope jaar aan grondhervorming bestee terwyl die begroting vir 2004/2005 R933 miljoen bedra. Die lewensvatbaarheid van verwerkte hawer wat in die vorm van gerolde hawer, hawermout en muesli bemark sal word, is as SEB inisiatief en gesamentlike projek tussen Agricol en Sentraal Suid-Koöperasie, in hierdie werkstuk ondersoek. Agricol (saadmaatskappy) beskik oor ontbytgraan tipe hawer kultivars en Sentraal Suid-Kooperasie het 'n goeie graanhanterings infrastruktuur in die hawer produksie gebiede. Die projek sal aan beide medewerkers die geleentheid bied om vertikaal te integreer, inkomste te diversifiseer (weg van primêre landbou), voorheen benadeelde individue in beide instansies te bemagtig en beide instansies help om aan SEB doelwitte te voldoen. Die studie het aangedui dat so 'n SEB inisitief wel lewensvatbaar is en goeie opbrengste aan al die deelnemers sal bied. Uitermate hoë higiëne en kwaliteitstandaarde van die verwerkte produkte tesame met die bemarking en marktoegang is as belangrike kritiese prestasie areas geïdentifiseer. Teen 'n pit tot dop verhouding van 60% en gemiddelde aankoopprys van R1000 per ton vir hawer, moet ongeveer 600 ton verwerkte hawer jaarliks verkoop word om 'n wins van R140 000 per jaar te verseker. Gegewe die begrote syfers, het die projek die potensiaal om R843 000 wins in jaar 5 te genereer. Die waarde van die nuwe maatskappy, gebasseer op die verdiskonteerde kontantvloei metode, beloop R2.7 tot R3.9 miljoen. As gevolg van die aanvanklike verliese en gepaardgaande negatiewe kontantvloeie, lê die waarde van die maatskappy egter hoofsaaklik in die eindwaarde na 5 jaar. Huidige aandeelhouers se verwagte opbrengs op kapitaal is 15%. Die interne opbrengskoers van die projek beloop 42% wat dus hoër as die drempelwaarde is. Die beplande SEB inisiatief voeg dus bepaald waarde toe vir aandeelhouers. Belangrike mensekwessies soos dieselfde visie, waardes, verwagtinge, vertroue, verbintenis en toewyding sal baie aandag moet geniet om van die potensiaal 'n werklikheid te maak. Sterk en bekwame leierskap sal ook 'n deurslaggewende rol speel aangesien gewigtige besluite voortdurend geneem sal moet word.

Thesis (MPA (Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISCH ABSTRACT: Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) in Namibia is viewed as an essential poverty reduction strategy in the fight against black disempowerment. However, the concept and practice of BEE in Namibia, prevails in the absence of a national BEE policy. Nonetheless, the government has encouraged the public and private sector to develop their own empowerment initiatives, in accordance with the draft BEE guidelines. The practice of BEE in Namibia has become controversial amongst the presently disadvantaged Namibians with regard to its implementation. Criticisms on the implementation of BEE are based on the assumption that BEE has resulted in the selfenrichment of a small black elite as opposed to empowering the poor. Breaking the cycle of underdevelopment and marginalization requires a commitment towards Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and broad-based ownership. The ultimate objectives of BBBEE are to achieve significant decreases in poverty, income inequality and unemployment. The primary objective of the research was to analyze the implementation of BBBEE within two companies in Namibia, namely; Namibia Mineworkers Investment Company Financial Services (Nam-MIC FS) and the National Housing Enterprise (NHE). The purpose was to determine whether the poor are benefiting from their respective BBBEE strategies and to what extent. A descriptive case study approach was used to understand the empowerment process within the identified institutions. Two data collection methods were used, namely; open-ended questionnaires and standardized open-ended interviewing with the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the respective institutions. The findings reveal that Nam-MIC FS is promoting broad-based ownership in that union members are able to access affordable financial services and products. However, Nam- MIC FS has failed to effectively implement BBBEE, since key areas of empowerment, such as the implementation of a broad-based skills development programme for employees, Small Medium Enterprise (SME) development for union members and community initiatives have been overlooked. The conclusion is that Nam-MIC FS is promoting a minimalist approach to empowerment, since its main focus is on the provision of affordable financial services and products, which is a short-term and unsustainable approach to reducing income inequalities and poverty. The main recommendations include the need to formulate and implement internal policies in respect of the transformational guidelines and implementing a monitoring and evaluation system. The findings on NHE reveal that whilst a BBBEE model has been implemented, a shortcoming is the failure to implement a skills development programme for black SME contractors. Moreover, of concern is the failure by NHE to promote broad-based ownership in the provision of housing, since the poor and very poor are directly and indirectly excluded from housing opportunities. The conclusion is that NHE is not promoting the broader participation, capacity building and economic improvement of the poor and very poor, which exacerbates the housing backlog through the emergence of informal settlements. The main recommendations pertain to the need to directly or indirectly include the poor and very poor in the provision of housing opportunities and a need to implement a skills development programme for black SME contractors, in addition to implementing a monitoring and evaluation system. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Swart Ekomiese Bemagtiging (SEB) in Namibië word as ‘n noodsaaklike strategie vir die verligting van armoede in die stryd teen swart verontmagtiging beskou. Die SEB-konsep en die beoefening daarvan staan egter sonder ‘n ondersteunende nasionale SEB-beleid. Desnieteenstaande moedig die regering die private en die besigheidsektors aan om self bemagtigingsinisiatiewe in ooreenstemming met SEB-konsepriglyne te ontwikkel. Vir minderbevoorregtes in Namibië is die beoefening van SEB egter omstrede vanweë die implementering daarvan. Kritiek oor die implementering van SEB word gebaseer op die aanname dat SEB die selfverryking van ‘n klein groep swart elite instede van die bemagtiging van armes behels. Verbreking van die siklus van onderontwikkeling en marginalisering vereis verbondenheid tot Breë Basis Swart Ekonomiese Bemagtiging (BBSEB) en breë basis eienaarskap. Die uiteindelike oogmerke van BBSEB is betekenisvolle vermindering van armoede, ongelyke inkomste en werkloosheid. Die primêre doelwit van hierdie navorsing was om die implementering van BBSEB in twee maatskappye in Namibië, die Namibia Mineworkers Investment Company Financial Services (Nam-MIC FS) en die National Housing Enterprise (NHE), te ontleed. Die doel was om te bepaal of die armes enige voordeel uit die onderskeie BBSEB-strategieë trek en in hoeverre dit gebeur. Die navorsing is met behulp van beskrywende gevallestudies benader om die bemagtigingsproses in die betrokke instansies te kan verstaan. Twee insamelingsmetodes is vir die verkryging van data gebruik: ope-vraag vraelyste en gestandaardiseerde ope-vraag onderhoude met bedryfshoofde van die onderskeie instansies. Die bevindings toon dat Nam-MIC FS breë basis eienaarskap bevorder deur vakbondlede in staat te stel om toegang tot bekostigbare finansiële dienste en produkte te bekom, maar nie daarin geslaag het om BBSEB effektief te implementeer nie, aangesien sleutelareas van bemagtiging, soos implementering van breë basis vaardigheidsontwikkelingsprogramme vir werknemers en ontwikkeling van vaardighede vir Klein en Medium Ondernemings vir vakbondlede, sowel as gemeenskapsinisiatiewe, oor die hoof gesien is. Die gevolgtrekking is dat Nam-MIC FS ‘n minimalistiese benadering tot bemagtiging bevorder – hulle is hoofsaaklik op die verskaffing van bekostigbare finansiële dienste en produkte gerig, wat as ‘n korttermyn en onvolhoubare benadering tot die vermindering van inkomste-ongelykheid, en tot armoede, beskou word. Die vernaamste aanbevelings betrek die behoefte om ‘n interne beleid ten opsigte van transformatiewe riglyne te formuleer en ‘n stelsel vir die monitering en evaluering daarvan te implementeer. Bevindings oor die NHE toon dat ‘n BBSEB model geïmplementeer is, maar die firma tekortskiet aangesien hulle nie ’n vaardigheidsontwikkelingsprogram vir swart KMOkontrakteurs kon instel nie. Verder is dit sorgwekkend dat die NHE nie geslaag het om breë-basis eienaarskap deur voorsiening van behuising te bevorder nie, aangesien die armes uiters arm is en direk sowel as indirek uitgesluit word wanneer geleenthede vir behuising ter sprake is. Die gevolgtrekking is dat die NHE nie breër deelname, die ontwikkeling van kapasiteit, en ekonomiese verbetering van armes en uiters armes bevorder nie, waardeur die behuisingsagterstand vererger, en informele nedersettings ontstaan. Die vernaamste aanbevelings betrek die behoefte aan direkte of indirekte insluiting van armes en uiters armes by die voorsiening van behuisingsgeleenthede en die behoefte om vaardigheidsontwikkelingsprogramme vir swart KMO-kontrakteurs, tesame met ‘n monitering- en evalueringstelsel, te implementeer.

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.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study’s objective was to investigate what black economic empowerment (BEE) means to Namibians and what impact it has had on development in Namibia. The study also did research in South Africa for the purpose of benchmarking. Namibians in general understand and embrace BEE, but it is clear from the study that Namibians are highly skeptical about its impact in terms of empowering those who were previously disadvantaged. The purpose of BEE is to empower black people. The challenge, however, is that seventeen years after independence there is no policy yet on BEE in Namibia. Critics of affirmative action argue that it is not worthwhile empowering only certain groups of people and excluding the able-bodied, white male Namibians while the country has adopted the policy of national reconciliation, irrespective of what happened in the past. They argue that it would be fair to select people based on class, rather than race, gender or ethnicity. It is true that the picture painted so far on empowerment is skewed, but it is important to note that BEE is not about empowering the black elite or the middle class at the expense of those who really need to be economically empowered; it is about allowing every citizen of the country to participate fully in the economic development of his/her country. The research was conducted in Namibia and also partly in South Africa, as it used progress on BEE in South Africa as a yardstick. In Namibia, statements made by leaders in different sectors were studied and analysed, since there is no written policy on BEE. The study conducted surveys on businesses, including companies that have benefited from BEE, state owned enterprises, government institutions and small and medium enterprises. Individuals were also selected across the broad spectrum, of whom some were interviewed face-to-face and others through questionnaires. The study repeated the same process in South Africa, the only difference being that in South Africa it included study and analysis of policy documents. The aim of the study was to find out how far Namibia has gone in empowering its people and how this compares to neighbouring South Africa. The analysis was done in the following way: data from different sectors were compared and also assessed against targets set by different sectors or industries in their sectoral charters. Data from different industries in Namibia were also compared to similar industries in South Africa. In order to determine whether there has been any progress in terms of BEE since Namibia’s independence eighteen years ago, the results obtained during this study were compared to the figures that were available at the time of independence. The study has established that, although the Namibian government had set up a committee headed by the Office of the Prime Minister to come up with a legislative framework for the drafting and implementing of BEE policy in 2000, no such policy exists to date. All the companies included in this study indicated that they have submitted their affirmative action (AA) reports to the office of the Employment Equity Commissioner and that they adhere to this policy; yet the study has established that most of the companies do not adhere to the AA policy. There is a high degree of income disparity in Namibia, where the richest 10% of the population receives 65% of the total income. The study also found that Namibia does not have any shares in companies that were established after independence, especially in the mining industry, whereas mining is the backbone of Namibia’s economy. According to the findings of this study, with regard to the BEE agreements announced and signed so far, only those who already have wealth or are well-connected benefit from these deals. There is no controlling mechanism in place for BEE agreements and, as a result, companies choose who they want to do business with. In South Africa, the study has established, the majority of the companies have their own broad based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) policies and all the industries have either implemented or drafted their industry BBBEE charters. Although the government has laid down a good foundation for the rest of the institutions to build on, South Africa still has a long way to go, because the majority of its people are still living in abject poverty. The study established that people sitting on the committee to draft the BEE policy are permanently employed in other positions within the Government and when it comes to prioritizing jobs, BEE is not regarded as one of the most important topics. It recommends that the government appoint people on the committee either permanently or on a fixed-term contract basis, so that these people can concentrate only on drafting and implementing the BEE policy. In line with the annual AA reports submitted, businesses should submit annual BEE reports to the government. This would ensure that some efforts are made to address BEE and, as is the case with AA, most of the companies, if not all, should be required to appoint BEE coordinators in their structures to drive the process. It is also recommended that there must be a graduating system whereby companies and individuals who have attained a certain level with regard to BEE should graduate out of the system in order to give others a chance to benefit. Businesses that have never benefited before should get preference when awarding tenders and quotas. Lastly, the study recommends that the Namibian government create a fund to which all registered companies would be required to contribute a certain percentage of their profits. These funds would be used for skills development, since skills development and transfer are the most important components of economic empowerment. The study has found that many firms have good governance, they practice diversity, they are doing very well financially and their company policies also state that they reward their employees in an unbiased way; but that can, nevertheless, not be taken as a guarantee to success in BEE. There is a fast-growing middle class of black people in Namibia, but the most important thing for Namibia, however, is to determine how this middle class can contribute to the creation of wealth for the majority of Namibians. Although there are clear indications in South Africa that there is a strong presence of BEE, at least for middle class black people, much remains to be done to address the issue of poverty. Finally, there are government policies and legislations that were created to advance black people, but the success of these policies and regulations depends on the management strategies that can create a conducive environment for black people. The corporate culture in private and public institutions needs to change so as to accept and accommodate black people in order for them to make a significant contribution to the economic development of Namibia. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om vas te stel wat swart ekonomiese bemagtiging (SEB) vir Namibiërs beteken en watter invloed dit op ontwikkeling in Namibië gehad het. Om ‘n maatstaf te stel het die studie ook navorsing in Suid-Afrika gedoen. Hoewel Namibiërs in die algemeen SEB verstaan en aanvaar, is dit uit die studie duidelik dat hulle hoogs skepties is oor die impak wat dit gehad het in die bemagtiging van voorheen benadeeldes. Die doel van SEB is om swartmense, vrouens en mense met gestremdhede te bemagtig. Die uitdaging is egter dat daar in Namibië sewentien jaar na onafhanklikheid steeds geen beleid ten opsigte van SEB is nie. Kritici van regstellende aksie redeneer dat dit nie verdienstelik is om sekere groepe te bevoordeel terwyl bekwame blanke Namibiese mans uitgesluit word nie.; dit terwyl die land ’n beleid van nasionale rekonsiliasie aanvaar het, in weerwil van gebeure in die verlede. Hulle reken dat dit regverdig sou wees om mense eerder op grond van klas as ras, geslag of etnisiteit te selekteer. Toegegee dat ’n skewe beeld van bemagtiging sover voorgehou is; tog is dit belangrik om te besef dat die doel van SEB is om elke burger van die land die geleentheid te gee om ten volle in ekonomiese ontwikkeling te deel en nie om die swart elite of middelklas te bevoordeel ten koste van dié wat werklik behoefte aan bemagtiging het nie. Navorsing is in Namibië gedoen en ook gedeeltelik in Suid-Afrika om vordering ten opsigte van SEB in dié land as maatstaf aan te wend. Die navorsing bestudeer en analiseer uitlatings deur leiers in verskillende sektore in Namibië, aangesien daar geen geskrewe SEB beleid is nie. Opnames is gedoen van besighede, insluitend maatskappye wat bevoordeel is uit SEB, ondernemings in staatsbesit, regeringsinstellings en klein en medium ondernemings. Daar is ook insette verkry van ’n breë spektrum van individue – deur persoonlike onderhoude of deur middel van vraelyste. Hierdie proses is in Suid-Afrika herhaal, waar ’n studie en analise van beleidsdokumente ingesluit is. Die doelwit met hierdie studie was om vas te stel hoe ver Namibië gevorder het in die bemagtiging van sy mense en hoe dit met die situasie in Suid-Afrika vergelyk. Die analise is soos volg gedoen: data van verskillende sektore is vergelyk en ook evalueer teen doelwitte wat in die handves van verskillende sektore of industrieë uiteengesit is. Data van industrieë in Namibië is ook vergelyk met soortgelyke industrieë in Suid-Afrika. Om vas te stel of enige vordering ten opsigte van SEB gemaak is sedert Namibië se onafhanklikheid agtien jaar gelede, is die navorsingsresultate van hierdie studie vergelyk met syfers wat op daardie tydstip beskikbaar was. Die studie het vasgestel dat die Namibiese regering in 2000 ’n komitee onder leiding van die Kantoor van die Eerste Minister aangestel het om ’n wetgewende raamwerk vir die opstel en implementering van ’n SEB beleid daar te stel. Tot op hede is daar egter nog nie so ’n beleid geformuleer nie. Al die maatskappye wat ingesluit is in hierdie studie het aangedui dat hulle regstellende aksie (RA) verslae aan die kantoor van die Diensbillikheid Kommissaris lewer en dat hulle hierdie beleid volg. Nogtans het die studie vasgestel dat die meeste van die maatskappye nie die RA voorskrifte nakom nie. Daar bestaan groot ongelykheid ten opsigte van inkomste in Namibië, waar die rykste 10% van die bevolking 65% van die inkomste verdien. Die studie het ook gevind dat Namibië geen aandele besit in maatskappye wat na onafhanklikheid tot stand gekom het nie, veral in mynbou, wat eintlik die ruggraat van die ekonomie vorm. Volgens die bevindinge van hierdie studie bevoordeel SEB ooreenkomste slegs diegene wat reeds rykdom besit of die regte verbintenisse het. Daar is geen beheermaatreëls in plek vir SEB ooreenkomste nie en gevolglik kies maatskappye met wie hulle besigheid wil doen. Tydens die studie is vasgestel dat die meerderheid maatskappye in Suid-Afrika hulle eie beleid het met betrekking tot breë-basis swart ekonomiese bemagtiging (BBSEB) en dat die industrieë hulle BBSEB industrie handves implementeer of opstel. Hoewel die regering ’n goeie grondslag gelê het vir ander instansies om op voort te bou, het Suid-Afrika nog ’n lang pad om te gaan, aangesien die meerderheid van die land se mense nog in groot armoede leef. Die studie het gevind dat die lede van die komitee wat die SEB beleid moet ontwerp voltydse posisies binne die regering beklee en dat SEB nie as ’n prioriteit gesien word nie. Daar word dus aanbeveel dat die regering mense permanent of op ‘n vaste termyn kontrak basis op die komitee aanstel, sodat hierdie persone op die opstel en implementering van die SEB beleid kan konsentreer. Indien vereis sou word dat besighede jaarliks RA verslae aan die regering inhandig, in lyn met die jaarlikse SEB verslae, sou dit verseker dat ’n poging aangewend word om SEB aan te spreek. Soos die geval is met RA, behoort van die meeste maatskappye, indien nie almal nie, verwag te word dat hulle SEB koördineerders in hulle strukture aanstel om die proses te dryf. Daar word ook aanbeveel dat ’n graduering sisteem ingestel word deur middel waarvan maatskappye en individue wat ’n sekere prestasievlak ten opsigte van SEB bereik het uit die sisteem gradueer om ander ’n kans te gee om voordeel te geniet. Besighede wat nog geen voordeel getrek het nie sou dan voorkeur geniet tydens die toeken van tenders en kwotas. Laastens beveel die studie aan dat die Namibiese regering ’n fonds skep waartoe alle geregistreerde maatskappye ’n seker persentasie van hulle wins moet bydra. Hierdie fonds sou aangewend word vir die ontwikkeling van vaardighede, aangesien die ontwikkeling en oordrag van vaardighede die belangrikste komponent van ekonomiese bemagtiging is. Hoewel die studie gevind het dat baie firmas goeie bestuur toepas, diversiteit beoefen, finasieel goed vaar en hulle beleid voorskryf dat werknemers sonder vooroordeel beloon word, verseker dit nie suksesvolle SEB nie. Daar is ’n vinnig-groeiende swart middelklas in Namibië en dit is belangrik om vas te stel hoe hierdie middelklas kan bydra om welstand te skep vir die meerderheid Namibiërs. Ten spyte van duidelike bewyse dat SEB in Suid-Afrika toegepas word, kan baie meer nog gedoen word om die probleem van armoede aan te spreek. Die sukses van die beleid en wetgewing wat deur die regering ingestel is om swart vooruitgang te ondersteun hang uiteindelik daarvan af dat ‘n omgewing geskep word wat bevorderlik is vir die benutting van geleenthede. Die korporatiewe kultuur in beide private en openbare instellings moet sodanig verander dat swartmense aanvaar en tegemoet gekom word, sodat hulle betekenisvol tot die ekonomiese ontwikkeling van Namibië kan bydra.

Employee engagement is the ability of employees to express themselves ‘physically, cognitively and emotionally during role performance’. Nurse employees comprise the largest workforce in healthcare. They spend a significant time caring for patients, they have a strong impact on patient experiences. Thus, in order to improve patient care experiences, nurse employees require positive work environments with the necessary factors that drive employee engagement. This study aimed to investigate current nurse engagement practices and the work-related aspects that impact engagement among nursing employees. The ultimate goal was to enable nursing management to identify the areas for continued sustainability and to improve gaps identified through appropriate implementation initiatives. The hospital is in the central part of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and consists of a multicultural population and the local Saudi nurses. The study population is nursing employees, employed for one year and longer within the organisation, and includes both genders between the ages of 18 to 60 years old. Simple random sampling was adopted using a sampling frame. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the sample of nurses from the hospital. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were performed to analyse data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 for Windows, while Ordered Probit regression was conducted using the Stata statistical program version 14 for Windows. This study showed the extent of nurses’ engagement using the selected constructs. Areas of strengths and weaknesses were identified. This study found that nurses were generally positive and passionate in their contribution to the organisation and connected in their work roles. This was established statistically and literature was also used to interpret the results. Respondents placed high importance on items that assessed the extent of nurses’ engagement and work-related factors. All the loadings in the eight dimensions measured were above 0.5, which shows significant correlation. In terms of organizational factors that impact nurse engagement, the estimates from the Ordered Probit regression showed that “feelings about the job” by employees had a statistically significant and positive influence on the employees’ or nurses’ “satisfaction about job aspects”. Results suggest the need to strengthen the identified areas in order to improve the nurses’ level of engagement. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

The purposes of this cross-sectional and internet mixed methods study were: (a) to explore the level of structural empowerment (SEP), psychological empowerment (PE), participation in decision making (PDM), their relationships, and their predictors among Taiwanese nurses, and (b) to explore the influence of contextual factors (culture and gender) on the nurses’ perception on their work environment and PDM based on the feminist perspective and Laschinger’s expanded empowerment model. This study included an Internet questionnaire survey (quantitative) and a Web-based online forum (qualitative). A convenient sample of 163 Taiwanese registered nurses (a) who are currently working full time in health care institutions for at least 3 months, (b) can read and write Chinese on the computer, and (c) have access to the Internet was recruited and completed the internet survey. Among them, 20 completed the online forum discussion topics. The findings of the internet survey indicated that participants had moderate level of SEP, high-moderate level of PE and low level of PDM. Personal characteristics, such as age, education, and work experience, did not significantly correlate to Taiwanese nurses’ empowerment. However, the work structures, such as workload, types of hospitals, and work units, were significantly related to Taiwanese nurses’ empowerment and PDM. PE was a mediator between SEP and PDM, which indicated that with increased access to workplace empowerment structures, nurses perceived better personal empowerment, which in turn increased nurses’ PDM. In the online forum, two themes were discovered: (a) foot-binding unto nursing and (b) not open up. The first theme indicated that certain stereotypes regarding gender roles in Taiwanese society were restraints to the growth of nursing. Due to the stereotypes, nurses were located in the lower social status and developed powerless behaviors. The second theme indicated that communication among nurses was not sufficient, which might stem from the influence of Confucianism, collectivism, and power distance. The findings in this study extend our understanding of the empowerment and PDM among Taiwanese nurses within the context of gender and culture. / text

The goal of this study was to determine the impact of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) on the tendering procedures and processes in the Ministry of Public Works, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The study identified the problems with regard to the implementation of BEE within the Ministry and insight was gained into how BEE policies are structured and the particular goals set by the Ministry in that regard. This was undertaken with a view to determining the effect that BEE has on public administration practice, with particular emphasis on the tendering processes of the Ministry. Based on insight gained through this research, the study concludes with a set of recommendations which, hopefully, will improve BEE practices in tendering policies and procedures in the Ministry. This was a qualitative study, which collected data using structured questionnaires and one-onone interviews with selected senior officials sampled from the population group within the Ministry. In addition, the study utilised secondary information through a thorough literature review of the subject matter as well as relevant reports, policies and legislation. / Thesis (MPA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.

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.

Increasing and maintaining customer loyalty has been shown to enhance service firm profitability. This research focuses on the antecedents of customer loyalty in a large national North American banking organisation, in particular the relationship between employee loyalty and customer loyalty, and further within the organisation, the antecedents of the employee loyalty-customer loyalty relationship. Thus the current research investigates the chain of events from managerial actions to customer loyalty with the aim of identifying relevant managerial practices and their influences within the organisation that lead to customer loyalty. The research provides tangible evidence supporting the importance of providing organisational resources to increase employee loyalty as a means of increasing customer loyalty in service organisations. To achieve this goal, the study suggests that a comprehensive set of managerial practices will enhance an organisation's service climate, foster positive employee attitudes and behaviours in relation to service provision, that impact on employee loyalty, service quality, and ultimately customer loyalty. These practices include support provided by senior leadership, the provision of resources that facilitate effective work practices, a positive management orientation on customers, and the use of employee evaluation and remuneration based on service-oriented behaviours and attitudes. By instituting these managerial practices, management can increase employee perceptions of self-efficacy, employees' beliefs in the abilities to perform well in their jobs, increase employee satisfaction, which in turn drive employee loyalty. These managerial practices also enhance the favourable nature of the organisation's service climate so that customer perceptions of service quality are likely to be more positive. Overall the study provides evidence to support the existence of a chain of events from managerial actions to employee and customer loyalty intentions. Evidence also exists to support the relationship between employee loyalty and customer loyalty, so that higher levels of loyalty within service a service organisation can potentially lead to higher levels of customer loyalty. The implications of the research are that management within service organisations can impact customer loyalty by focussing directly on service delivery issues and by providing a favourable service climate. Managers can also influence employee beliefs about their abilities to do their jobs and the level of satisfaction employees have within those organisational roles. The study also suggests that a service organisation's service climate is an important mechanism by which management can communicate to both employees and customers that a customer orientation is a primary managerial imperative. Finally, the study provides valuable insight into the processes by which employees perceive managerial orientation and support, and how those perceptions influence customer perceptions of service quality and impact on their loyalty intentions towards service organisations.