This Master´s thesis is concerned with the suggestion of the most effective development of the customer centres for Partners corporation in Czech Republic. The goal of my diploma thesis is to project The Customer Centre in Olomouc as well as set a template for the future development of such centres.

The study focused on examining the saving and investment behaviours of South Africans. There has been no extensive research in existing literature that has focused on this area of study. This study intends to extend the understanding of what factors contribute to the decisions individuals make about saving and investment. The primary research objective was to explore and empirically test the statistical significance of income, education and gender related to the use of suitable financial products and investigate optimal ways to save and invest. This was a quantitative study which used secondary data obtained from the Human Science Research Council database gathered through a structured questionnaire. A sample of 2,972 individuals across the country participated in and completed the survey. The results illustrated that low-income participants saved less through informal saving schemes than high-income participants, but the statistical significant difference between these groups is too small. The findings also showed that less-educated participants used predominantly more formal saving products than highly educated participants and the statistical significant difference between these groups is large. Finally, the findings highlighted that females make better investment choices than males, but the statistical significant difference between these groups is too small. This study illustrated that low savings and investment in South Africa is influenced by the type of financial products used and also demographic factors such as income, education and gender. / Mini Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Financial Management / MCom (Financial Management) / Unrestricted

This paper describes a computer model for running individual retirement portfolios over different historical periods to see the actual retirement incomes they would have provided. Such an approach is much more sophisticated and insightful than simply applying an annuity formula to retirement assets and assuming a real arbitrary rate of return.

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This study examines the contributing factors that influence the variation in the perception of retirement income adequacy, analyzing U.S. households who are in the nearing retirement stage (age 55-64) in 2007 along with U.S. households who are in the first stage of retirement (age 65-74) in 2016, within the Survey of Consumer Finances. This study performs pair-matching or one-to-one propensity score matching of the cohort nearing retirement in the 2007 SCF dataset with those of the first stage of retirement in the 2016 SCF dataset who share a similar value of the propensity score. Statistically, these are the same households nine years later. Results show that of those households in the near retirement stage, 55.80 percent perceive their retirement to be adequate, while 72.20 percent of those in the first stage of retirement perceive their retirement income to be adequate. This study examined the effect of sociodemographic characteristic, human capital, financial capital, and financial attitude predictors on the perceived adequacy of retirement income. Probit analysis showed retired (first stage of retirement) respondents who were married, white, headed by male, college educated, had sufficient net worth and income, were homeowners, in good health, had saved, took financial risks, had a longterm financial planning horizon, received or expected to receive an inheritance had a defined benefit pension plan, and/or owned a defined contribution plan were more likely to perceive their retirement income to be adequate than otherwise similar households. / Business Administration/Risk Management and Insurance

Структура магистерской диссертации включает в себя введение, три главы, заключение и список использованных источников. В первой главе раскрываются теоретические основы финансового планирования на предприятии. Во второй главе проводится анализ финансово-хозяйственной деятельности ООО «Златоустгазстрой», дается оценка действующей системы финансового планирования на предприятии, выявляются проблемы. В третьей главе разрабатываются рекомендации по совершенствованию финансового планирования в ООО «Златоустгазстрой», проводится оценка положительного экономического результата от их внедрения. В заключении обобщаются выводы по результатам проведенного исследования. / The structure of the master's thesis includes an introduction, three chapters, a conclusion and a list of sources used. The first chapter reveals the theoretical foundations of financial planning in the enterprise. The second chapter analyzes the financial and economic activities of «Zlatoustgazstroy» LLC, assesses the current financial planning system at the enterprise, identifies problems. In the third chapter, recommendations for improving financial planning in «Zlatoustgazstroy» LLC are developed, and the positive economic result from their implementation is evaluated. In conclusion, the conclusions based on the results of the study are summarized.

This study intended to explore the effectiveness of finance committees at schools. A qualitative design, using interviews with purposely selected participants made up of fifteen school principals and ten finance officers in the Sedibeng Districts of the Gauteng Department of Education was used for data collection. This was aimed at exploring how effective school finance committees are and to recommend ways of improving their effectiveness in executing their financial management function. The literature study exposed the conceptual framework and essence of the functional effectiveness of school finance committees, which laid the basis for the empirical study. The empirical study was based on the social constructivist paradigm with the phenomenological approach as the strategy of enquiry. Findings of the study indicate that school finance committees are generally structured in line with policy directives. It was also found that the performance and attitudes of office-bearers of finance committees affected the effectiveness of finance committees. Firstly and for various reasons, principals as ex-officio members generally played a dominant role in finance committees. Reasons include their perceived ‘high‘ level of knowledge regarding financial management and the lack of knowledge and skills of other finance committee members to execute their responsibilities. Secondly, finance committee effectiveness was found to be negatively affected by poor budgetary processes – from the planning process to the implementation and monitoring, which include weaknesses in financial administration and reporting as well as evaluation of the budget implementation process. As a result, the management of funds was often characterised by budget variances and the need for virement. Recommendations of the study address the need for intensive capacity-building for finance committee members in specific areas of their roles and functionality. This must be accompanied by constant monitoring by Departmental development and support officers responsible for school governance. In this regard, there must be a feedback and system that enables corrective action to be taken as soon as signs of poor performance emerge. Finally, it is recommended that the structure of the finance committee be reviewed, especially as it concerns office-bearers. In this regard, it is recommended that finance officers be charged with the responsibility of financial administration and not double up as secretaries of school governing bodies. / MEd (Education Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2015

This study intended to explore the effectiveness of finance committees at schools. A qualitative design, using interviews with purposely selected participants made up of fifteen school principals and ten finance officers in the Sedibeng Districts of the Gauteng Department of Education was used for data collection. This was aimed at exploring how effective school finance committees are and to recommend ways of improving their effectiveness in executing their financial management function. The literature study exposed the conceptual framework and essence of the functional effectiveness of school finance committees, which laid the basis for the empirical study. The empirical study was based on the social constructivist paradigm with the phenomenological approach as the strategy of enquiry. Findings of the study indicate that school finance committees are generally structured in line with policy directives. It was also found that the performance and attitudes of office-bearers of finance committees affected the effectiveness of finance committees. Firstly and for various reasons, principals as ex-officio members generally played a dominant role in finance committees. Reasons include their perceived ‘high‘ level of knowledge regarding financial management and the lack of knowledge and skills of other finance committee members to execute their responsibilities. Secondly, finance committee effectiveness was found to be negatively affected by poor budgetary processes – from the planning process to the implementation and monitoring, which include weaknesses in financial administration and reporting as well as evaluation of the budget implementation process. As a result, the management of funds was often characterised by budget variances and the need for virement. Recommendations of the study address the need for intensive capacity-building for finance committee members in specific areas of their roles and functionality. This must be accompanied by constant monitoring by Departmental development and support officers responsible for school governance. In this regard, there must be a feedback and system that enables corrective action to be taken as soon as signs of poor performance emerge. Finally, it is recommended that the structure of the finance committee be reviewed, especially as it concerns office-bearers. In this regard, it is recommended that finance officers be charged with the responsibility of financial administration and not double up as secretaries of school governing bodies. / MEd (Education Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2015

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Karen S. Myers-Bowman / Is there a positive relationship between doing good and feeling well? Does demonstrating behavior that is charitable in nature lead to a greater sense of well-being? While much of the literature regarding charitable behavior is focused on the motivation for giving, relatively little is understood about the outcomes of giving behavior. Using a model developed from social exchange theory and data from the 2004 General Social Survey, structural equation modeling was employed to explore this relationship. Testing the Charitable Activity – Perceived Wellness Relationship model led to acceptance of the finding that participation in charitable activity is positively related to an individual’s self-perception of well-being. Furthermore, income, education, and having a religious orientation were found to be positively related to self-reported well-being. These effects were enhanced by participation in charitable activity. The results of this study have potential uses for financial planning practitioners, policy makers, and others with interests in family resource management issues and well-being. The possible avenues for further study include refinement of the model, development of a conceptual framework for teaching and research in family resource management, and the integration of other theories related to charitable giving such as the Identification Theory of Care and the Aquinian concept of caritas.

The effective and efficient management of personal finances is critical for everyone, particularly in a world where uncertainties prevail. Owing to continuous change, new financial challenges frequently confront individuals that culminate ultimately in uncertainties concerning individuals’ financial position and future. Having low levels of debt, an active savings and retirement plan, as well as following an expenditure plan, will lead to financial wellness, which demonstrates an active state of financial wealth. A comprehensive financial plan makes individuals attentive when dealing with financial issues, and acts as a guide when making financial decisions. Owing to insufficient financial literacy and skills, personal financial management is challenging and often results in erroneous financial decisions. Financial knowledge forms the basis for financial skills and competence, which are influenced by personal attitudes in both spending and saving. Therefore, in order to plan effectively, and control and manage financial risks and opportunities in the future, financial skills and abilities are essential. Adequate financial knowledge and skills lead to effective personal financial management and sound financial decisions in the short-term as well as in the long-term. Planning for financial independence should start as early as possible during the financial life cycle, usually at 18 years of age. Students are a rewarding market for financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies, pension funds and brokerage companies, potentially leading the way forward to establish brand-loyalty throughout adulthood. However, the lack of financial management and planning experience, as well as financial literacy and financial skills, make students particularly susceptible to the aggressive marketing tactics of financial institutions, which may be harmful to students’ financial freedom. As such, financial institutions and professionals have to gauge effective ways to convey financial knowledge and product information to a target market to deliver improved financial service as well as understand the relevant consumer behavioural aspects of a target market when developing marketing strategies. Published literature on the South African Generation Y consumer behaviour is limited and none that is focused specifically on attitudes towards personal financial planning, financial literacy and perceived personal financial management skills of the significantly sized black Generation Y cohort. This cohort is defined as individuals born between 1986 and 2005. In South Africa, Generation Y individuals accounted for 38 present of the South African population, with the black Generation Y individuals representing 83 present of this generational cohort. Additionally, the black Generation Y cohort of South Africa account for approximately 32 present of the total population, resulting in a highly salient market segment. Of particular interest to marketers and professionals, including financial institutions and those involved in financial management, especially financial planning, are those individuals attaining tertiary qualifications, and as such they are likely to enjoy higher earnings and a higher social standing, which together is likely to make them opinion leaders and trendsetters amongst their peers. The primary objective of this study was to investigate black Generation Y students’ knowledge of and attitudes towards personal financial management within the South African context. The target population, relevant to this study, was defined as full-time undergraduate black Generation Y students, aged between 18 and 24 years, enrolled at South African registered public higher education institutions (HEIs). From the sampling frame, comprising 23 registered South African public HEIs, one traditional university and one university of technology located in the Gauteng province, were selected using a judgement sampling method. A convenience sample of 400 full-time black Generation Y students, who were enrolled at these two South African HEIs during 2013, was drawn for this study. To conduct this study, a structured format was applied where lecturers of the applicable classes were contacted and permission was requested to carry out the survey. Thereafter, during the scheduled class times of the full-time undergraduate students, hand delivered self-administered questionnaires were distributed for completion, which were collected thereafter. The students’ attitudes towards personal financial planning were measured on a six-point Likert scale, whereby participants were requested to indicate the extent of their agreement/disagreement with items pertaining to personal financial planning. The students’ financial literacy was measured, using multiple-choice questions, whereby the students were asked to choose one of the four alternatives provided. The students’ perceived personal financial management skills were measured on a six-point Likert scale, whereby the participants were requested to indicate the extent of their agreement/disagreement with items pertaining to personal financial management skills. Additionally, certain demographical data were requested from the participants. The findings of this study indicate that South African black Generation Y students exhibit a positive attitude towards personal financial planning, have low levels of financial literacy and perceive themselves as being equipped with having the necessary personal financial management skills. More specifically, students’ attitudes towards estate planning were ranked the highest, whereas attitudes towards the financial planning process were raked the lowest. In terms of financial literacy, students scored the highest in general financial knowledge and the lowest in spending related financial literacy questions. Students’ perceptions towards decision-making skills were rated the highest, whereas stress management skills were rated the lowest. Insights gained from this study will help academics, government, financial institutions and other economic role players understand current black Generation Y consumers’ attitudes towards personal financial planning, their level of financial literacy and their perceived personal financial management skills. / MCom (Business Management), North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2014