D.Com. (Economics) / The objective in writing this thesis was to investigate the capital structure of South African manufacturing industry and the implications of this structure for policy formation relating to industry. The capital stock of the 27 branches of the manufacturing industry were calculated by means of the perpetual inventory method based on the following assumptions: capital formation excludes transactions relating to inventory, durable consumer goods and financial assets; transactions in land and other fixed assets were taken into consideration; leasing was regarded as investment and capitalised at ten times the annual base payment in respect of land and buildings and five times in respect of machinery and transport equipment; and transfer costs on property and existing buildings were treated as part of fixed investment. Cencuses compiled by the Department of Statistics were the main source of information in the calculation of investment. Depreciation was based on the straight-line-method. Price indices from various sources, including those compiled by the Reserve Bank, were used. The economic life of fixed assets for the various branches of the manufacturing industry was chosen after consultation with experts in the various industries and an analysis of information obtained by questionnaire. It was found that the real capital stock of manufacturing industry increased by 1 247 per cent during the period 1945-1975, i.e. at an average annual rate of 8,8 per cent. The basic iron and steel industry with a capital stock (valued at 1975 replacement values) or R2 478,4 million in 1975 was the largest absolute consumer of capital followed by the food industry ...

An examination of the evolution and development of Black small-scale manufacturers in the rural and urban areas of South Africa is presented. Within the context of the broader literature of small-scale enterprises the focus is on issues surrounding the developmental potential of small-scale entrepreneurs. The historical analysis of Black entrepreneurship in South Africa indicates that external rather than internal factors constitute the main constraints to the development of small-scale entrepreneurs. Discrimination by government emerges as the principal factor for the continued underdevelopment of Black entrepreneurship in South Africa.

No description available.

The socio-economic importance of small-scale mining in a developing country such as South Africa cannot be overstated. Millions of rural people trapped in abject poverty and disappointingly high unemployment, where the availability and accessibility to natural resources like sandstone is at their doorstep should never be allowed to remain poor and starve if job creation and poverty alleviation take precedence in both local and national agendas. It is against this backdrop that this pilot case study was initiated, the primary objective of which was to recommend tailor-made strategies for developing and stimulating socio-economic growth from small-scale mining operations in Qwaqwa. In order to do this a literature review was conducted, strategically aiming at establishing what was already known and in place on the subject through prior research. The process that ensued entailed designing a systematic blue print on the process of collecting, analysing and interpreting data about small-scale mining in the area. The study used multiple sources of evidence in the form of statistical analysis of the questionnaires, personal interviews, site observations and various documents to indeed confirm the indispensable nature of small-scale mining in the socio-economic fibre of rural communities. In order to stimulate socio-economic growth from small-scale mining, the formation of cooperatives for structured and coordinated assistance, favourable and encouraging regulations and policies, innovation, communication and publicity, product and market development strategies as well as the adoption and nurturing of small-scale mines by big conglomerates are some of the strategies postulated. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2008.

This study analyses whether historically defensive sectors on the JSE have – with respect to the market – proven to be defensive during the recent global financial crisis. By withstanding the shocks of market volatility, defensive industries (such as pharmaceuticals and consumer staples) are renowned for their consistent performance throughout the business cycle. Using daily data for the period 2000–2009, the study compares the descriptive statistics of sector returns before and during the crisis. The volatility of each sector relative to the market index is calculated using the CAPM beta and a simplified volatility ratio. The same comparison is extended to the conditional volatilities of each of the sectors, which is estimated using the GARCH model and two of its extensions: the EGARCH and GJR GARCH models. While no sector experienced a positive mean return during the financial crisis, Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Consumer Services and Industrials all proved less volatile than the market. Surprisingly, Telecommunications proved more volatile than the market and experienced leverage effects during the financial crisis. Since the timing of a recession is difficult to predict, defensive securities were found to be a useful investment tool for protection against adverse movements in the stock market.

M.Comm. / Customer service quality is an important aspect in the process required to make an organisation successful. Research has shown that it is very expensive to acquire new customers and that the ideal is to keep existing customers, to satisfy their needs and give them value for money to ensure that they return to the organisation. Servicing existing customers will also ensure that profitability improves over time. Seven leading organisations in South Africa were selected to investigate what they define as good quality customer service. The investigation revealed that management plays an important role in creating and maintaining a culture of quality customer service. Customer contact, listening to the customer, determining what his needs and expectations are, is required to ensure that the customer is satisfied with the organisation. It is furthermore clear that the demands of customer service change over time and that organisations need to be flexible to meet these changing needs. The quality customer service was measured in Rand Air and the SERVQUAL model of Parasuraman was used as a basis. The study gives a summary of the background of the model. The model was further adjusted to be relevant to the compressor hire industry. Rand Air (Pty) Ltd was used as the basis on which to do the study, and the industry was used for comparison purposes. Rand Air's history and present position were described, as well as what Rand Air does as far as customer service is concerned. The study was done over a two year period. Certain recommendations were made as areas for improvement.

The aim of all companies is continuously to improve their products and/or services. Managers need to understand what service quality entails and what measures to take to ensure that quality is upheld and employees are satisfied. Cost-saving initiatives often require certain changes to take place within the organisation. In the event of such changes, the psychological contract is often violated, which may have a positive or negative effect on the affected individuals. Management expects to get more work done with fewer employees, who in turn are expected to keep up the service quality. The current shortage of medical technologists in the country has made it impossible for them to cope with the heavy workload. As a result, many leave the profession and venture into something completely different. Those that are left become completely demotivated; they experience less job satisfaction and show less commitment to their work. However, some may even embrace the changes because to them it may mean bigger and better challenges. The aim of this study is to identify which approaches management took to ensure cost saving and how these approaches impacted on the behaviour of employees. A literature review was conducted to determine what the theory reveals about cost saving and its impact on employee behaviour. This was followed by an empirical survey conducted within the National Health Laboratory Services in the Ibhayi region. Finally, the practical findings and literary theory were compared to make recommendations to management on how to ensure positive employee behaviour and boost employee morale.

Text in English, abstract in English and Afrikaans / Information is one of the most important resources in organizations today. The role of Marketing Information Systems (MKIS) is to facilitate the efficient and effective use of information in marketing decision-making. Service organizations are especially reliant on decision-support information, due to the complex nature of their environment. However, indications are that they are not utilizing information to their best benefit, despite the considerable advantages they might gain from it. In fact, it could be said that service organizations often seem to lack a culture of market orientation. In measuring the satisfaction with the quality of market intelligence, it becomes obvious that marketing decision-makers are generally dissatisfied with the results of MKIS. Some of the reasons are: • The 'disconnect' between information technology and marketing in organizations, which results in marketing decision-makers not getting information in the format they require, and feeling as if their requirements are not taken into account when MKIS are developed. • The lack of availability of usable customer and competitor data, which are regarded by marketing decision-makers as the most important categories of information. • The focus on generating data, but not adding value to it. Marketing decisionmakers have indicated that they require analysis, and not raw data. In order to bridge these problems, South African service organizations need to focus on the successful integration of MKIS into the organization. This requires an understanding of marketing decision-makers' requirements, closer cooperation between IT and marketing and the establishment of a culture of information sharing. / lnligting is een van die belangrikste hulpbronne van hedendaagse organisasies. Die rol van bemarkingsinligtingstelsels (BMIS) is die fasilitering van die doelmatige en effektiewe gebruik van inligting in bemarkingsbesluitneming. Diensorganisasies is veral afhanklik van besluitsondersteunende inligting, as gevolg van die komplekse aard van hulle omgewing. Tog is daar aanduidings dat hulle inligting nie tot die beste voordeel aanwend nie, ten spyte van die aansienlike voordeel wat hulle daaruit kan trek. In werklikheid kan dit gestel word dat diensorganisasies skynbaar nie 'n markgerigte kultuur het nie. In die meting van tevredenheid met die kwaliteit van markintelligensie blyk dit dat bemarkingsbesluitnemers in die algemeen ontevrede is met die resultate van BMIS. Sommige redes hiervoor: • Die gaping tussen inligtingstegnologie en bemarking in organisasies, wat daartoe lei dat bemarkingsbesluitnemers nie inligting ontvang in die formaat wat hulle vereis nie, en voel dat hulle behoeftes nie in ag geneem word wanneer BMIS ontwikkel word nie. • Die gebrek aan bruikbare inligting oor kliente en mededingers, wat deur benarkingsbesuitnemers beskou word as die belangrikste kategoriee van inligting. • Die fokus op die genereer van data, sonder om waarde daaraan toe te voeg. Bemarkingsbesluitnerners het aangedui dat hulle ontleding vereis en nie slegs 'rou' data nie. Ten einde hierdie probleme te oorbrug moet Suid-Afrikaanse diensorganisasies fokus op die suksesvolle integrasie van BMIS in die organisasie. Dit vereis begrip vir bemarkingsbesluitnemers se behoeftes, nader samewerking tussen inligtingstegnologie en bemarking en die daarstel van 'n kultuur van gedeelde inligting. / Business Management / D. Comm. (Business Management)

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree Doctor of Technology: Quality, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Quality management remains one of the top ranking strategic issues in all major organisations. However, at present, there is a sentiment that business priorities and quality management priorities have become non-aligned over the last two decades. It is believed that quality management is still predominately understood and practiced using the framework and direction provided historically by quality leaders such as Deming, Juran, Crosby and others. Thus, this study motivated that quality is at a crossroads and in order for it to be aligned with business priorities, once again it needs to evolve its role. This study commenced with the review on related literature on the history of quality management. From this review, it was evident that the various evolutions of quality management were directed to meet the changing business challenges and market needs that were linked to prevailing demand and supply, customer focus, competitive advantage and profitable growth outputs. The literature review thereafter demonstrated the potential opportunities wherein quality management could be utilised to re-establish its previous relevance by supporting organisations in the management of emerging trends. This study identified globalisation, customer power and sophistication, social responsibility and environmental sustainability consciousness as emerging trends that could be the most leveraged with the use of quality management concepts, techniques and tools. Furthermore, the topics of stewardship, leadership, change management and strategy were discussed as enablers to the proposed new evolution of quality management, which should become known as “quality stewardship”. As a guideline to the “quality stewardship” strategy, a Quality Stewardship and Leadership (QSAL) framework was developed in this study. The QSAL framework incorporated Total Quality Management (TQM), systems thinking and business excellence as the underlying theoretical grounding. This framework, displaying a process approach, encapsulated the following components: inputs (risk, revenue and reputation), processes (productivity Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), technical governance, and environmental and social sustainability) and outputs (maximise value) for the proposed new scope for quality management. Abstract iii The primary source of information used in this study was obtained from qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The research instruments in this study included surveys in the form of questionnaires and an organisational assessment which was undertaken by utilising a Viable Systems Model (VSM). The organisational assessment that was part of the preliminary study was undertaken in two beverage multi-national organisations in South Africa. The pilot and principal studies consisted of surveys in the form of questionnaires. The objective of the survey was to gain an understanding of current quality management practices, current quality management thinking and acceptability of the proposed QSAL framework across selected manufacturing organisations in South Africa. Both the preliminary and principal studies displayed variable levels of responses in quality management practices and a high level of agreement or awareness to the questions on the current thinking of quality management and acceptability of the proposed QSAL framework in the quantitative studies. Thus, based on the review of related literature and empirical studies, the motivation for this research, that quality management was ready for the next evolution in order to support current business challenges and market demands, was validated.

M.Comm. / Stock Exchange as an instrument for the financing of South African industry. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange, like all stock exchanges in the world, has as main functions, firstly, the raising of capital for industry and secondly, the provision of a market for the trading of financial paper. As such, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is of vital relevance for the national economy. It has implications for the formation and flow of capital and therefore the functioning of savings and investment industry of the country. The channelling of savings into industry, green field projects, the provision of housing, education and health care, as well as the development of the infrastructure, are all affected by the workings of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is the largest stock exchange on the African continent, having a market capitalisation of R919 803 million in 1994. This, however, does not mean that the Stock Exchange performs its function as an instrument for the financing of South African industry effectively. The Stock Exchange is known for its high level of illiquidity with only six percent of the shares listed on it being traded on an annual basis. The shares that are traded regularly are restricted to the 30 - 50 prime shares which are held mainly by the large institutional investors and the mining houses. A study of the owners of shares listed on the Stock Exchange shows a large concentration of control and ownership in the hands of only three institutions, namely, the Anglo-American group of companies and the two large insurance companies Old Mutual and Sanlam. Research has shown that as many as 65 percent of the shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange are owned by only 1 200 shareholders and that there are not more than 750 000 South Africans who are shareholders, representing less than four percent of the South African population. Participation in the activities of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange by the small investor has declined continuously over the last two to three decades. The decline in small investor presence in the market deprives the Development Capital Market and the Venture Capital Market of financing. New capital raised on the Stock Exchange amounts to an average of around R12 billion per year. The funds raised are mainly attributed to the selling of the paper of gilt-edged companies. The so-called second rated companies, which comprise 80 percent of the market, do not enjoy the share turnover rates that the gilt-edged companies do. The shares of the second raters comprise less than 10 percent of the turnover on the market. The shares of the second raters are not only traded in relatively small volumes but they are also traded rather sporadically. This poor performance of the Stock Exchange as a primary capital market compel the smaller companies to seek financing elsewhere. Such financing is almost always more expensive than equity financing. The high costs involved in obtaining a listing on the Stock Exchange is another factor that may encourage smaller businesses to obtain their financing from financial institutions rather then from the Stock Exchange. South Africa has now entered a new phase of socio-economic development on account of the revised political dispensation and becoming a full member of the international community once again. These changes have once again placed South Africa on the world map as a venue for investment. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange could play a very important role in this respect. It will, however, have to become a more active market. The financing of South Africa's industry cannot rely mainly on foreign investment, it must generate more domestic financial support. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is an ideal institution to perform such a function. The Stock Exchange will, however, have to create a more liquid market by increasing turnover to a level more in line with those of stock exchanges elsewhere in the world. Such an achievement will add significantly to the pool of funds available for the financing of the South African industry.