Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this report is to create a better understanding of the new pharmacy initiatives in the South African market, with specific reference to the Nuclicks and Pick 'n Pay groups. In order to understand the respective business concepts better the following abstracts from each chapter of the study is given. Chapter one is basically the introduction to the study and describes the events that lead to the above mentioned corporate retailers to enter the pharmacy market place. An introduction to Hamel's business model theory is also discussed and identified as a possible means of evaluating the corporate retailers' business concepts. In Chapter two the strategic analysis of the South African retail pharmacy industry is performed. This analysis is performed to create an understanding of the different forces at work in the industry. Some of the key findings in this chapter are that changes to the pharmacy act and the way dispensing licences are going to be awarded creates uncertainty. The profit outlook of retail pharmacy, though on the decline, still compares favourably to other retailers. In chapter three the core concepts of Hamel's business model are presented in more detail and applied to the retail pharmacy environment. In his view, a strategy needs to change the industry rules. This chapter ends with the concept of wealth potential based on Hamel's teachings. The wealth potential concept is about creating cash flow and profits. A business model that is able to create customer benefits well below the cost of the competitors is regarded as efficient. By utilising the Hamel way the Nuclicks (chapter four) and Pick 'n Pay (chapter five) business concepts is unpacked. Both Nuclicks and Pick 'n Pay pharmacy business models are presented within the corporate framework of the groups. Nuclicks bought an established pharmacy franchise while Pick 'n Pay launched Healthpharm. Nuclicks creates a possible choke point by buying UPD. The Nuclicks pharmacy strategy is a more comprehensive health strategy, while Pick 'n Pay follows a more cautious approach. As franchising will playa major role in both pharmacy concepts, the theory of franchising is presented in chapter six. Telephonic interviews with Link franchisees are conducted and the possible reasons for the ambiguity that crept into the Link business model are discussed. As the Healthpharm franchise is a new concept, it is evaluated based on information gathered from press releases and the Healthpharm web-site. In chapter seven universal conclusions and recommendations, based upon the literature study and this investigation, are presented. One of the key findings are, success in the face of changes requires more than the current way of doing business. It requires an innovative thinking process. New business models have to be formulated that allows retail pharmacists to establish a focused and well-differentiated value proposition. This value proposition needs to be meaningful for consumers and must strengthen a pharmacy outlet's competitive position. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie verslag is om 'n beter begrip vir die nuwe apteek inisiatiewe in die Suid-Afrikaanse mark te ontwikkel, met spesifieke verwysing na die Nuclicks en Pick 'n Pay groepe. Om die onderskeie besiqheidskonsepte beter te verstaan, word die volgende opsomming van elke hoofstuk van die studie uiteengesit. Hoofstuk een is 'n inleiding tot die studie en beskryf die gebeure wat aanleiding gegee het tot die bogenoemde korporatiewe kleinhandelaars se toetrede tot die apteek mark. 'n Inleiding van Hamel se besigheidsmodel teorie is ook bespreek en is geïdentifiseer as evaluering van die korporatiewe kleinhandelaars se besigheidskonsepte. Hoofstuk twee bied 'n strategiese analise van die Suid-Afrikaanse kleinhandelaars apteek industrie. Hierdie analise is geskep om beter begrip te ontwikkel vir die verskillende kragte wat inwerk in die industrie. Van die bevindinge in die hoofstuk is die veranderinge in die apteek wetgewing en die wyse waarop resepteer lisensies toegeken gaan word, en hoeveel onsekerhede dit tot gevolg het. Die wins vooruitsigte van kleinhandelaars apteke, alhoewel aan die afneem, vergelyk steeds gunstig met ander kleinhandelaars. In Hoofstuk drie is die kern konsepte van Hamel se besigheidsmodel in meer detail uiteengesit en toegepas op die kleinhandelaar apteek omgewing. Uit sy oogpunt, is 'n strategie nodig om veranderinge te weeg te bring in die industrie reëls. Hierdie hoofstuk eindig met die konsep van waarde potensiaal wat gebaseer is op Hamel se teorie. Hierdie waarde potensiaal konsep is gebaseer op die skep van kontantvloei en 'n Besigheidsmodel wat in staat is om die kliënt te begunstig heelwat laer as die koste van die teenstander, word beskou as effektief. Hamel se teorie is gebruik om Nuclicks (hoofstuk vier) en Pick 'n Pay (hoofstuk vyf) se besigheidskonsepte te analiseer. Beide Nuclicks en Pick 'n Pay se besigheidsmodelle word aangebied binne die korporatiewe raakwerke van die groepe. Nuclicks het 'n gevestigde apteek konsessie gekoop terwyl Pick 'n Pay vir Healthpharm begin het. Nuclicks het 'n moontlike 'wurgpunt" geskep deur die aankoop van UPD. Die Nuclicks apteek strategie is 'n meer omvattende gesondheidstrategie, terwyl Pick 'n Pay 'n meer versigtige benadering volg. Aangesien besigheid konsessie 'n belangrike rol speel in beide apteek konsepte, word die teorie van konsessie in hoofstuk ses behandel. Telefoniese onderhoude is gevoer met Link konsessiehouers en die moontlike redes vir die twyfelagtigheid van die Link besigheidsmodel word bespreek. Aangesien die Healthpharm konsessie 'n nuwe konsep is, word dit geëvalueer op grond van inligting wat versamel is uit die media en die Healthpharm webtuiste. In Hoofstuk sewe word universele afleidings en aanbevelings, gebaseer op die literatuurstudie en die ondersoek, uiteengesit. Een van die hoof bevindings was dat sukses benodig meer as die huidige manier van besigheid doen. Nuwe besigheidsmodelle moet geformuleer word, wat dit vir kleinhandelaar apteke moontlik sal maak om 'n gefokusde en goed gedifferensieerde waarde voorstel tot stand te bring. Hierdie voorstel moet betekenisvol wees vir die verbruiker en moet die apteek kompeterende posisie versterk.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / Human resource management is a widely researched field. However, the research done in terms of small to medium-sized enterprises, is extremely limited, especially in South Africa. The aim of this research was to investigate human resource management practices in one such a company, and to develop a feasible action plan to improve on these practices. The chosen company, Task Applied Science (Pty) Ltd, is a medical research company based in Cape Town, South Africa. The data for the study was obtained through a literature review and interviews. The data from the literature review identified best practices and frameworks. This was combined with interviewing company employees as well as HRM practitioners in the medical field to not only identify problems, but to also suggest possible solutions. These solutions were compiled in a comprehensive action plan. As such, the results offer a workable solution for Task Applied Science, and can serve as example for all small to medium-sized enterprises. The literature review further showed that smaller companies tend to ignore the importance of human resource management due to the time and costs involved and the fact that they are focussed on the external environment rather than the internal. This cannot simply be remedied by implementing practices developed in large companies. Best practices need to be customised to fit the needs of the specific company. The findings showed that only certain human resource management practices were implemented in reaction to crises, or as needs arose. This, combined with the rapid growth and lack of structure, caused a breakdown in communication, transparency, and trust. Staff loyalty decreased because they felt that they were left in the dark. Both the company strategy and values became vague, and thus staff could not be aligned to it. Noteworthy was that the increase in policies and documentation did not cause employees to feel restricted, but rather that it created a feeling of security. The study made it abundantly clear that the human resources department needs to be treated as a strategic partner in the planning and execution of the company strategy; especially in terms of efficient change management. Their role is to communicate the strategic direction, while at the same time acting as an activist for the staff, voicing their needs and capabilities. The proposed action plan focused mainly on the company culture and the alignment of staff with the company’s business strategy. This was done by addressing issues such as company culture, communication, company values, and staff development. The plan offers practical solutions within each of these categories. Furthermore, it suggests solutions in terms of efficient staff recruitment and knowledge management. By implementing this plan the company will be able to increase the synergy between the business units within the company, eradicating silos, and establishing the staff as a competitive advantage. In addition to this, it will establish the human resources department as a credible partner for the staff in developing both their personal and professional lives.

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Cannabinoids have been shown to alter synaptic plasticity but the mechanism by which this occurs at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses in vivo is not yet known. Utilizing in vivo electrophysiological recordings of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) on anesthetized rats and mice as well as three lines of conditional knockout mouse models, the objective was to show a two-part mechanistic breakdown of cannabinoid-evoked CA3-CA1 long-term depression (LTD) in its induction as well as early and later-phase expression stages. It was determined that this cannabinoid-induced in vivo LTD requires cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1Rs) on astrocytes, but not CB1Rs on glutamatergic or GABAergic neuronal axons/terminals. Pharmacological testing determined that cannabinoid-induced in vivo LTD also requires activation of NMDA receptors (NMDAR) and subsequent postsynaptic endocytosis of AMPA receptors (AMPAR). There exists a clear role for NR2B-containing NMDARs in a persistent, transitory form, potentially related to prolonged or delayed glutamate release (possibly as a result of the astrocytic network). A key determination of the expression phase is the involvement of new protein synthesis (using translation and transcription inhibitors) – further evidence of the long-term action of the synaptic plasticity from a single cannabinoid dose.

Cette thèse vise à mieux comprendre le rôle du facteur de transcription Nur77 au sein des fonctions physiologiques et pathologiques des voies de neurotransmission dopaminergiques des gaglions de la base. Nous basant sur une implication motrice de Nur77 au sein des dyskinésies induites à la L-DOPA (LIDs), nous avons voulu tester in vivo son implication éventuelle dans les phénomènes moteurs et de sensibilisation associés à l’amphétamine ainsi qu’une implication possible du récepteur nucléaire aux rétinoïdes RXR dont nous avons déjà démontré une implication dans les effets moteurs des antipsychotiques. Un deuxième volet de la recherche à consisté en l’étude de l’implication des extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) et de la protéine kinase C (PKC) dans l’induction de l’ARNm des membres de la famille des Nurs suite à l’activation des cascades de signalisation des récepteurs dopamiergiques D1 et D2 in vivo pour une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes physiopatholoiques liés aux désordres dopaminergiques. Pour ce faire, nous avons, premièrement, soumis des souris sauvages et Nur77-/- à un paradigme de sensibilisation à l’amphétamine ainsi qu’a différents agonistes antagonistes RAR/RXR afin de tester l’implication de Nur77 et d’un éventuel complexe Nur77/RXR dans les effets de l’amphétamine. Deuxièmement, soumis des souris sauvages à une combinaison d’agonistes D1/D2 ou une injection d’antagoniste D2 avec ou sans inhibiteur (ERK1/2 ou PKC) afin de tester l’implication de ces kinases sur l’induction de l’ARNm des membres de la famille des Nurs par hybridation in situ. Nous avons ainsi pu démontrer 1- un rôle moteur de Nur77 dans les effets liés à l’amphétamine notamment avec une absence de stéréotypies et un allongement de la durée de la phase de locomotion chez les souris Nur77-/-; ainsi qu’un rôle éventuel du complexe potentiel Nur77/RXR dans les D1 à mieux définir. 2- un rôle des kinases ERKs et PKCs dans les cascades de signalisation des récepteurs dopaminergiques D1 et D2 menant à l’induction des ARNms de Nur77, Nor-1 et Nurr-1. En perspective, ces résultats nous ouvrent la voie vers une implication éventuelle de Nur77 dans les mécanismes d’apprentissage que sont le Long Terme Potentiation (LTP) et la Long Terme Depotentialisation (LTD) liés aux LIDs et à l’amphétamine. / This thesis aims to better understand the role of the transcription factor Nur77 in the physiological and pathological functions of dopaminergic neurotransmission pathways of the basal gaglia. Based on a motor involvement of Nur77 in L-DOPA induced dyskinesias (LIDs), we wanted to test its possible involvement in the motor mechanisms associated with amphetamine, a drug of abuse that targets the direct neuronal population of the basal ganglia such as L-DOPA. Involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase C (PKC) has been widely demonstrated in the LIDs and the effects of amphetamine, we wanted to know whether Nur77 mRNA was controlled by these kinases in both the striatonigral and striataux palidal neurons in response to specific activation of the D1 and D2 receptors in vivo. Finally, a possible involvement of RXR has been demonstrated in the motor effects of antipsychotic drugs, so we wanted to test its potential involvement in the effects of amphetamine. To do this, we subjected wild-type mice and Nur77-/- mice to a paradigm of sensitization to amphetamine with or without RXR agonist (DHA) and antagonsite (HX531) to test: 1 - the involvement of Nur77 in the motor effects and the phenomenon of sensitization to amphetamine and 2 - the involvement of any complex Nur77/RXR in these effects. Second, wild-type mice were subjected to a combination of D1/D2 agonists or antagonists D2 with or without ERK inhibitor or PKC inhibitor to test in vivo the induction of the mRNA of the Nurs members family by in situ hybridization. We were able to demonstrate a role of Nur77 in the motor effects associated with amphetamine namely in the absence of stereotypy and a lengthening of the duration of the phase of locomotion in Nur77-/ - mice; and a possible role of the potential complex Nur77/RXR in D1 neurones needed to be better defined. In addition, it is clearly demonstrated that the induction of Nurs members mRNA responds to the activation of signaling cascades of dopaminergic D1 or D2 receptors within the involvement of PKC and ERK kinases is undubtable which opens us the way to a possible involvement of Nur77 in learning mechanisms associated with LIDs and amphetamine that are the Long Terme Potentiation (LTP) and the Long Terme Depotentialisation (LTD).

Les souvenirs sont encodés dans le cerveau grâce aux configurations uniques de vastes réseaux neuronaux. Chaque connexion dans ces circuits est apte à être modifiée. Ces changements durables s’opèrent au niveau des synapses grâce à une synthèse de protéines de novo et génèrent ce qu’on nomme des traces mnésiques. Plusieurs preuves indiquent que, dans certaines formes de plasticité synaptique à long terme, cette synthèse a lieu dans les dendrites près des synapses activées plutôt que dans le corps cellulaire. Cependant, les mécanismes qui régulent cette traduction de protéines demeurent encore nébuleux. La phase d’initiation de la traduction est une étape limitante et hautement régulée qui, selon plusieurs chercheurs, constitue la cible principale des mécanismes de régulation de la traduction dans la plasticité synaptique à long terme. Le présent projet de recherche infirme cette hypothèse dans une certaine forme de plasticité synaptique, la dépression à long terme dépendante des récepteurs métabotropiques du glutamate (mGluR-LTD). À l’aide d’enregistrements électrophysiologiques de neurones hippocampiques en culture couplés à des inhibiteurs pharmacologiques, nous montrons que la régulation de la traduction implique les étapes de l’élongation et de la terminaison et non celle de l’initiation. De plus, nous démontrons grâce à des stratégies de knockdown d’expression d’ARN que la protéine de liaison d’ARNm Staufen 2 joue un rôle déterminant dans la mGluR-LTD induite en cultures. Dans leur ensemble, les résultats de la présente étude viennent appuyer un modèle de régulation de la traduction locale de protéines qui est indépendante de l’initiation. / Memories are encoded in the unique configurations of the vast neuronal networks of the brain. Each of these connections possesses the ability to be modified. Such long-lasting changes at the synapse often require the synthesis of new proteins that create what we call memory traces. Evidence suggests that the signal-induced activation of translation in some forms of synaptic plasticity occurs locally, at the activated synapses, rather than in the soma. However, the mechanisms regulating local and rapid de novo protein synthesis are poorly understood. The initiation step of translation is a highly regulated step and is believed to be the main target of control. The present research project challenges this view for a certain form of long-term synaptic plasticity, metabotropic glutamate receptor-dependent long-term depression (mGluR-LTD). We show, using electrophysiological recordings of dissociated hippocampal neurons in cultures coupled to pharmacological inhibitors, that translation regulation depends on elongation and termination, rather than initiation. Moreover, by exploiting RNA knockdown strategies, we demonstrate that the RNA-binding protein Staufen 2 plays a crucial role in mGluR-LTD induced in cultures. Altogether, the findings of the present study support a model of translation regulation that is downstream of initiation.

Thesis (M.B.A.)-Business Studies Unit, Durban University of Technology, 2006 xii, 117 leaves / In 2005, Masonite (Africa) Ltd embarked on a level 1 learnership program, in line with the National Skills Development Strategy. Within a few months, it became apparent that there was a need to investigate the job satisfaction of the level 1 learners (learners) in the work component of their learnership program. To investigate their job satisfaction, a study was conducted which was guided by three objectives. These were: firstly to determine the general job satisfaction of the learners; secondly, to assess the satisfaction of the learners according to twenty dimensions of the job, as measured by the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) and thirdly, to investigate the relationship between the job satisfaction of the learners and their demographic variables gender, age, work experience and level of education. / M

by Chiu, Yu-Wai, Anthony, Chiang, Lily. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1989. / Bibliography: leaves 69-71.

Yu Yat-Wah. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.v / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.vi / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.vii / CHAPTER / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- MARKETING IMAGE STUDY FOR TELECOM PAGING LIMITED --- p.3 / Market Situation of the Paging Industry --- p.3 / Marketing Strategy --- p.6 / The Target Company - Telecom Paging Ltd --- p.11 / Research Objective --- p.12 / Chapter 3. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.13 / Chapter 4. --- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY --- p.19 / Exploratory Study --- p.19 / Descriptive Research --- p.20 / Chapter 5. --- LIMITATIONS --- p.24 / Chapter 6. --- RESULTS --- p.26 / Demographic Characteristics of the Respondents --- p.26 / Media Through Which Respondents Became Aware of Telecom Paging and New World Paging --- p.29 / Top of Mind Paging Companies --- p.31 / Mean Score of Each Attribute --- p.32 / Mean Importance of Each Attribute --- p.35 / Chapter 7. --- IMAGE GAP ANALYSIS --- p.37 / Telecom's Image versus New World's Image --- p.40 / Actual Image versus Perceived Image --- p.44 / Chapter 8. --- RECOMMENDED MARKETING STRATEGY FOR TELECOM PAGING LIMITED --- p.49 / Chapter 9. --- CONCLUSION --- p.56 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.58 / APPENDICES --- p.60

by Kong Kan, Karen. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-82). / EXECUTIVE SUMMARY --- p.i / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.v / ACKNOWLEDGMENT --- p.vi / CHAPTER / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / "Marketing Difficulties Start with Chinese Misunderstanding of the Word ""Wine´ح" / Scope of Study --- p.3 / Decision Problem --- p.3 / Research Objectives --- p.3 / Methodology --- p.5 / Research Design --- p.5 / Data Collection Method --- p.7 / Limitations --- p.10 / Chapter II. --- EVALUATING THE MARKET OPPORTUNITY --- p.13 / Environmental Analysis --- p.13 / Macroenvironment --- p.13 / Microenvironment --- p.15 / Company Profile --- p.17 / Competition Profile --- p.19 / Market Share Competition --- p.19 / Fine Wine Segment competition --- p.20 / Regular Wine Segment competition --- p.21 / Consumer Profile --- p.22 / On-premise Sales --- p.22 / Off-premise Sales --- p.22 / Market Potential of Remy Wine Division --- p.22 / Summary of Chapter II --- p.26 / Chapter III. --- THE TARGET MARKET --- p.27 / "Alternative 1: General public as target market, including supermarkets as outlets" --- p.28 / "Alternative 2: General public as target market, maintaining the 4existing retail outlets" --- p.29 / Alternative 3: Middle to high income group as target market maintaining the 4 existing retail outlets --- p.29 / "Alternative 4: Middle to high income group as target market, including supermarkets as outlets" --- p.30 / Best Alternative Justification --- p.30 / Target Market Description --- p.32 / Chapter IV. --- STRATEGY FORMULATION --- p.34 / Marketing Strategies for Young Adults --- p.34 / Product and Price Strategy --- p.34 / Distribution Strategy --- p.38 / Promotional Strategy --- p.39 / Marketing Strategies for Mature Adults --- p.42 / Product and Price Strategy --- p.42 / Distribution Strategy --- p.44 / Promotional Strategy --- p.45 / Marketing Strategies for Mature Market --- p.48 / Product and Price Strategy --- p.49 / Distribution Strategy --- p.49 / Promotional Strategy --- p.49 / Chapter V. --- TIMING AND BUDGETING --- p.51 / Chapter VI. --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.55 / EXHIBITS --- p.57 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.79