by James Chi-wang Lau, David Sai-shing Lu. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1982. / Bibliography: leaf 52.

by Mak Tsz Yee. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-53). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.v / CHAPTER / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Objective --- p.1 / The Engineering Consulting Business --- p.1 / Review of Literature --- p.3 / "Value-Creation, Resources and Capabilities" --- p.4 / Cost vs. Differentiation Advantage --- p.4 / Scope of Target Market --- p.5 / Isolating Mechanisms --- p.6 / Resources and Capabilities --- p.6 / Evolutionary Economics and Dynamic Competition --- p.8 / Scope of this Study --- p.9 / Chapter II. --- GENERAL ENVIRONMENT --- p.10 / Global Segment --- p.10 / Demographic Segment --- p.11 / Economic Segment --- p.11 / Office Properties --- p.11 / Residential Properties --- p.13 / Political Segment --- p.14 / Technological Segment --- p.15 / Concluding Observation of the General Environment --- p.15 / Chapter III. --- INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENT --- p.17 / Construction Industry --- p.17 / Consultancy Arrangement --- p.19 / Normal Scope of Services --- p.20 / Hong Kong Real Estate Property Market --- p.20 / Analysis of Industry Environment --- p.25 / Threat of Entry --- p.25 / Barriers to Entry --- p.25 / Economies of Scale --- p.25 / Product Differentiation --- p.26 / Capital Requirements --- p.26 / Switching Cost --- p.26 / Cost Disadvantages to New Entry Independent of Scale --- p.26 / Government Policy --- p.27 / Expected Retaliation --- p.27 / Bargaining Power of Suppliers --- p.28 / Bargaining Power of Buyers --- p.29 / Concentration of Buyers --- p.29 / Cost of Service an Insignificant Fraction of the Buyer's Cost --- p.29 / Undifferentiated Services and Low Switching Cost --- p.29 / Buyer Industry Earns Low Profits --- p.30 / Buyers Pose No Credible Threat of Backward Integration --- p.30 / The Industry's Service is Important to the Quality of the Buyers' Products --- p.30 / Threat of Substitute --- p.31 / Substitute Subject to Trends Improving Their Price-performance Trade-off --- p.31 / Profitability of Industry Producing Substitute --- p.31 / Rivalry Among Existing Competitors --- p.32 / Numerous or Equally Balance Competitors --- p.32 / Slow Industry Growth --- p.32 / Lack of Differentiation and Low Switching Cost --- p.32 / High Fixed Costs --- p.33 / Low Exit Barriers --- p.33 / Summary of Industry Analysis --- p.34 / Chapter IV. --- INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT --- p.37 / Ove Arup and Partners Company Limited --- p.37 / Review of the Resources and Capabilities of the Firm --- p.38 / Tangible Resources --- p.38 / Financial Resources --- p.38 / Physical Resources --- p.38 / Human Resources --- p.38 / Organisational Resources --- p.39 / Intangible Resources --- p.39 / Technological Resources --- p.39 / Resources for Innovation --- p.39 / Reputation --- p.40 / Identification of Core Competence --- p.40 / Weaknesses --- p.42 / Corporate-Level Strategy --- p.42 / Blurring Business-Level Strategy --- p.43 / Cost Structure --- p.43 / Human Resource Management --- p.44 / Organizational Structure --- p.44 / Market Sensing Activities --- p.44 / Concluding Remarks on Internal Environment --- p.44 / Chapter V. --- CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.46 / What Is Strategy? --- p.46 / Conclusions and Recommendations --- p.47 / Chapter VI. --- BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.51

Whether it is internationalisation or globalisation, many South African firms are under constant pressure to enter and compete in foreign markets. For some firms, the decision to internationalise is crucial to the sustainability of the firm and in some instances requires a re-evaluation of the strategic intentions and objectives of the firm. Firms in the civil engineering consultant industry are no different, with many having no logical choice of expansion and growth except to enter foreign markets. For the civil engineering consultant, the acquisition of international projects is somewhat different from domestic projects in that key role players and operational norms in the international arena are relatively unknown and often misunderstood. Many firms attempting to enter foreign markets simply do not undertake the necessary analysis to understand the international environment and fail to formulate a sustainable international strategy. The objective of this dissertation is to analyse those factors contributing to the successful identification and formulation of an international strategy. Whilst the dissertation has a bias to civil engineering consultants it is believed that many of the points and issues highlighted can be used by any firm attempting to breach international markets. In order to provide a suitable conclusion to this dissertation, a case study is analysed. The case in point is the international strategy identification and formulation of Goba Moahloli Keeve Steyn (Pty) Ltd, a multi-disciplinary engineering firm whose aims are to acquire and manage large engineering projects beyond national borders. It is evident from this study that in order to be effective in foreign markets, it is extremely important for consulting engineering firms to have a thorough understanding of the market and to ensure that the most sustainable markets are chosen for possible operation. The design, delivery and implementation of services may have to be tailored to suit the environment within which the firm chooses to operate. The main recommendation of the study is that the consultant engineering firm needs to develop and formulate an international strategy that is consistent with the firm's goals and is one that can be easily adapted to a changing environment. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

The comprehension of how job satisfaction impacts on an employee’s intention to quit is critical to an organisation. Consulting engineering firms who do not retain their skill sets will not survive. Knowledge of the relationship between job satisfaction and intentions to quit will allow managers to manipulate the variables that increase job satisfaction, which in turn can minimise an organsation’s employee turnover rate. A theoretical analysis was done. As an empirical analysis, a targeted cross-sectional survey by means of a standardised questionnaire was sent to 3 000 (three thousand) engineers, technicians and technologists registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Multiple regression analysis was done and Spearman Correlation Coefficients were used to indicate the relationships between variables. Achievement was the factor that was most significantly related to job satisfaction and intention to quit. The strong negative relationship between job satisfaction and intention to quit was confirmed, the effect of which would be that the more job satisfaction increases, the more intention to quit decreases. Management techniques that consist of supervisory consideration, participative decision making, performance feedback and communication are therefore advocated. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The comprehension of how job satisfaction impacts on an employee’s intention to quit is critical to an organisation. Consulting engineering firms who do not retain their skill sets will not survive. Knowledge of the relationship between job satisfaction and intentions to quit will allow managers to manipulate the variables that increase job satisfaction, which in turn can minimise an organsation’s employee turnover rate. A theoretical analysis was done. As an empirical analysis, a targeted cross-sectional survey by means of a standardised questionnaire was sent to 3 000 (three thousand) engineers, technicians and technologists registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Multiple regression analysis was done and Spearman Correlation Coefficients were used to indicate the relationships between variables. Achievement was the factor that was most significantly related to job satisfaction and intention to quit. The strong negative relationship between job satisfaction and intention to quit was confirmed, the effect of which would be that the more job satisfaction increases, the more intention to quit decreases. Management techniques that consist of supervisory consideration, participative decision making, performance feedback and communication are therefore advocated. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

This study investigates the link between global integration -- defined as the intra-firm cross-border transfer of operational resources -- and performance in multinational professional engineering companies. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques, we find some support for a positive association. We review two bodies of scholarship germane to our topic: the global integration - performance literature and the multinationality - performance literature. The inclusion of the latter is justified since the espoused performance benefits of multinationality are predominantly realised through global integration. Based upon an evaluation of these two bodies of scholarship and qualitative insights, we propose a positive relationship between global integration and performance as well as a mediating relationship, with global integration acting as a mediator between multinationality and performance. Hypothesis testing is performed in Partial Least Squares, a structural equation modelling technique ideally suited for small samples. Results reveal a significant positive association between global integration and MNC profitability. A separate research model testing the relationship between global integration and the alternative dependent, MNC growth, is rejected. Further analysis of the profitability-based research model provides support for the mediational hypothesis: the relationship between multinationality and profitability is fully mediated, suggesting no gains from multinationality per se. Supplementary tests reveal that the profitability effects of global integration are enhanced when it is strongly motivated by the desire to take advantage of specialised skills within the MNC; no such claim of moderation can be made when global integration is strongly motivated by a desire to improve staff utilisation on a global basis. The relationship between global integration and profitability is also unaffected by the origins (headquarters vs. subsidiaries) of the intra-firm operational resource transfers that constitute global integration.

With a considerable number of built environment projects not being completed successfully, this study was undertaken to investigate how effectively consulting engineering firms are applying project management principles in the way they manage projects. This was achieved by measuring the project management maturity levels of consulting engineering firms. Maturity levels were measured for each of the ten knowledge areas of the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Body of Knowledge to determine areas where consulting engineering firms perform below expectation and as a result determine probable causes of project failures. The maturity of the firm was then calculated as the average of the maturity for the knowledge areas. The study found that consulting engineering firms have higher levels of project management maturity than the average for the construction and civil engineering sector. Apart from risk and procurement management, all the other knowledge areas have higher maturity levels than the corresponding construction and civil engineering knowledge areas. Although the overall maturity results indicate that the larger firms are more mature in their project management practices than the smaller firms, the individual knowledge areas are inconsistent. The study reveals that consulting engineering firms are weakest in the risk management, human resources and stakeholder management knowledge areas. There is limited literature available on the status of project management, project management methodologies, and performance of consulting projects in the engineering environment (Labuschagne & Steyn, 2010:70). There is need for future studies to establish a methodology developed specifically for the Consulting Engineering Firms in line with what Labuschagne & Steyn (2010) started and a Project Management Maturity Model specific to the Consulting Engineering Industry.

Script contains articles in Afrikaans and some text also in Afrikaans / Opportunities abound in the Armaments industry is South Africa and abroad. This is probably one of the main reasons why it has grown to almost astronomical amounts in va lu e . Simultaneously, the vast f igures in turnover and profits have attracted numerous competitors into the business. The next factor which has contributed most significantly to the increase in development and manufacture of armaments is of course the need of countries to defend themselves against aggressors. Political unrest , terrorism , border conflicts , war and invasions are the order of the day. All of these events require a show of arms, if not retaliation . In order to satisfy a need for strategic independence, even to a limited extent , countries have insisted on development and establishment of various categories of technologies. During the past fifty years there has been an explosion in the amount of information published in the technology sector. Some highly sophisticated technologies have become commonplace in most technical fields , including the armaments industry . As might be expected, the armaments industry is also greatly influenced by trends and change in the sector of economics, by social and cultural factors , and new legislation. It may rightfully be regarded as a highly volatile , complex and dynamic part of any economy. Under these circumstances the role of technology management in a country and in a business enterprise becomes more important, more difficult , and more essential. To ensure that a large organisation stays competitive, or becomes more competitive, the system of planning and control must be well integrated , kept up to date, and well/managed to fulfil its purpose. For the purpose of this script an investigation was undertaken into the corporate and business systems for technology management in a firm in the local engineering industry . The description covers planning and control theory, system models, innovation and technology management principles , and the theory of forecasting methods usually adapted for technology predictions , Evaluation of the practical systems which are in place and are being utilised , led to a few significant observations and conslusions. The investigation was by no means exhaustive, but was aimed at getting an overview of the corporate and business systems as they operate with in the stated strategic frameworks. It is concluded that technology planning and control systems are well-developed, highly integrated and applied in a top-down fashion . Not all aspects are conducted as efficiently as should be possible. Also, due to the dynamic nature of the industry, effectiveness can still improve for the company. Moves are afoot to meet new challenges and requirements and there is no doubt that the future will see great achievements. / Business Management / M.B.L.

by Cho Yiu-sun. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-101). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENT --- p.vi / LIST OF EXHIBIT --- p.ix / Chapter / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY / Introduction --- p.1 / Purpose and Planning Horizon --- p.2 / Names --- p.3 / Methodology --- p.3 / Sources of Information --- p.4 / Strategic Planning Model --- p.5 / Strategic Objectives and Plans --- p.11 / Chapter 2. --- HISTORY AND MISSION / History --- p.14 / Historic Strategies --- p.15 / The Mission --- p.17 / Chapter 3. --- PRODUCT SYSTEM AND INDUSTRY / Define Industry --- p.21 / Position of MEL in Industry --- p.22 / Product Systems --- p.25 / Research and Development --- p.33 / Chapter 4. --- ORGANISATION / Mintzburg Model --- p.35 / Sales office and Workshop --- p.37 / Organisation Chart --- p.38 / Chapter 5. --- MARKETS AND MACROENVIRONMENT / Review of Performance --- p.39 / Analysis --- p.43 / Market Potential --- p.44 / Macroenvironment --- p.45 / Chapter 6. --- COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT / Major Players --- p.52 / Analysis by Porter Format --- p.55 / Chapter 7. --- "STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS" / Strengths --- p.64 / Weaknesses --- p.66 / Opportunities --- p.68 / Threats --- p.72 / Chapter 8. --- STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND PLANS / Strategic Objectives --- p.74 / Strategic Plans --- p.77 / Chapter 9. --- CONCLUSION / General --- p.92 / Environment --- p.83 / Strategies --- p.84 / Necessity to change --- p.96 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.88 / Appendix / Chapter 1. --- HISTORY OF MEDIA-GO ENGINEERING LIMITED --- p.A1/1 / Chapter 2. --- MAJOR TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS --- p.A2/1 / Chapter 3. --- THREAT OF PROPRIETARY PRODUCTS AND PICTURETEL --- p.A3/1 / Chapter 4. --- WORKSHOP AT CHAKUOLING --- p.A4/1 / Chapter 5. --- PROJECTS LIST AND EXPENSES ANALYSIS --- p.A5/1

There will always be a need for consulting engineering services in industry. In the engineering consulting fraternity, employees are the key valuable assets and this study addresses how the professional employees’ skills can be managed and structured in such a manner that they contribute efficiently to the daily operation of the consulting engineering firms. The core business of the consulting engineering firms is to sell or offer engineering or technical solutions to their clients and this can be successfully recognised by integrating the firm’s different engineering disciplines into projects teams that are able to implement specific projects allocated to them. Leaders in these teams are expected to have proficiency to identify individuals’ skills and talents that can be incorporated into a specific project team. At a strategic level, firms’ mangers should consider developing skills development plans that takes into consideration a combination of academic training, professional training and practical employee training. As soon as a skills development plan is in place, it is easier for it to be implemented at the operational level under the supervision of team leaders who are responsible for the continuing professional development of individual team members. The aim of this study was to determine the various business and technological strategies applied by consulting engineering firms while tendering and competing for project work in the country. The consulting engineering industry is highly competitive; managers of these firms must be properly equipped with both technical and management skills in order that they may survive in this industry. A probability sample of 44 engineering consultants was drawn from consulting engineers in two areas of South Africa, namely, North West Province and Eastern Cape Province, which have a total of 140 consultants. 22% of the respondents offered electrical engineering services, followed by the civil engineering services that form 16.7% of the respondents. The structural and mechanical engineering followed at 13.9% and 11.1% respectively. Chemical engineering and architecture were both at 5.6%. Some of the findings of this study were that managers of the consulting engineering firms must be equipped with communication competencies as well as emotional intelligence and self-management competencies, because, although consultants are highly technically skilled, they lack business and human skills. Part of the recommendations are that there is a need for the consulting engineering firm to upload a succinct synopsis of their services on their company websites, which will help promote the value of their services to their clients. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.