Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2008 / The purpose of this study is to evaluate the organisational communication and infonnation flow at the SA Cultural History Museum (SACHM) and its decentralised sites with particular reference to its role in decision making and, where necessary, to recommend remedial measures. An extensive literature review was undertaken on organisational communication, infornation and decision making in organisations, with particular reference to the SACHM. The literature review facilitated the development of the research instruments, to assess best practices in terms of the identified key drivers. The research questions are: • The existence of communication practices and processes at SACHM, and • The effective dissemination of information necessary for effective decision making. The statistical results of the empirical study reveal conclusively that the organisational communication, information dissemination and decision making at the SACHM was indeed ineffective. The results indicate the following: • The lack of adherence to shared values and common purpose between managers and staff regarding equity, lack of participation in decision-making, lack of service delivery to local, regional and national communities, lack of mutual respect, lack of dedication, lack of a people centered approach, and finally a lack of interpersonal communication and negotiation; • The lack of application of basic communication fundamentals namely the bottom-up and top-down approaches; • The lack of access to timeous and accurate information to make effective decisions; and • The non-existence of communication processes and practices. Dysfunctional organisational communication and inadequate information flow to both employees and managers, has been identified as having an impact on effective decision making. Arising from the findings of the research, a communication audit is recommended to facilitate the establishment of an effective communication and information framework for the museum.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2008 / The purpose of this study is to evaluate the organisational communication and infonnation flow at the SA Cultural History Museum (SACHM) and its decentralised sites with particular reference to its role in decision making and, where necessary, to recommend remedial measures. An extensive literature review was undertaken on organisational communication, infonnation and decision making in organisations, with particular reference to the SACHM. The literature review facilitated the development of the research instruments, to assess best practices in terms ofthe identified key drivers. The research questions are: • The existence ofcommunication practices and processes at SACHM, and • The effective dissemination ofinfonnation necessary for effective decision making. The statistical results of the empirical study reveal conclusively that the organisational communication, infonnation dissemination and decision making at the SACHM was indeed ineffective. The results indicate the following: • The lack ofadherence to shared values and common purpose between managers and staff regarding equity, lack ofparticipation in decision-making, lack ofservice delivery to local, regional and national communities, lack of mutual respect, lack ofdedication, lack ofa people centered approach, and finally a lack ofintezpersonal communication and negotiation; • The lack ofapplication ofbasic communication fundamentals namely the bottom-up and top-down approaches; • The lack ofaccess to timeous and accurate information to make effective decisions; and • The non-existence ofcommunication processes and practices. Dysfunctional organisational communication and inadequate information flow to both employees and managers, has been identified as having an impact on effective decision making. Arising from the findings of the research, a communication audit is recommended to facilitate the establishment ofan effective communication and information framework for the museum.

Thesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2005 / This thesis investigates how serial production has influenced the design of artefacts, jewellery and/or domestic products since 1990, with a focus on Italy and South Africa. The study also looks at the roles played by design, technology and serial production in the perceived value ofartefacts. There are fundamental differences in consumer attitudes to serial production in industrial and jewellery design. Handmade jewellery is perceived as more valuable than its mass produced equivalent, whilst mass produced domestic products do not have the same negative association. The motivation of this study is to identify the role played by serial production processes in the perceptions of quality of mass-produced products with the aim of improving the perceived quality of South African jewellery and thus expanding the market. In order to illustrate how serial production has influenced the design of artefacts, three key areas were researched: the influence of the concept of serial production on the physical forms of artefacts; physical aspects of the serial production processes that have influenced forms of artefacts; and abstract ideas of quality communicated through the process of serial production. It was found that quality did not appear to be communicated directly through the physical process of serial production. The Italian industrial designers, in particular, seemed to have a well-developed sense of personal design philosophy, which could be developed among South African jewellery designers while they are studying or while they are working in industry. Expectations of the function ofjewellery mean that the role of jewellery design is different to that of the product designer. A branding initiative to raise the profile of South African jewellery is recommended. The South African jewellery industry also needs to invest in new production technologies. The establishment of training in the new production technologies, especially rapid prototyping, for jewellery students is seen as imperative.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:53:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:58:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 11656.pdf: 26784123 bytes, checksum: c03f74808c190d27a51bf5f6c9f9702e (MD5) / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Faculdade de Economia, Administracao e Contabilidade, Universidade de Sao Paulo - FEA/USP

M.Comm.

No description available.

This research utilises existing problem solving and decision making theories to explain the complex organisational process by which Royal Mail revises Postal Officers' walks in mail delivery. A field study in the RM demonstrates that this is a complex task involving a political / negotiation process comprising many stakeholders with different agendas. Two conclusions are drawn. First, a pluralistic model of decision making is required to explain this process. Second, the model that guides the RM is a rational / optimal decision making model. The RM has employed computer-based systems to support the revision process. Case studies are reported of the revision processes undertaken with and without computer aids. These demonstrate that the existing computer system provides limited assistance and its use is sporadic. A new Walk Optimisation system was being considered for purchase and development and the thesis follows the processes employed. Three conclusions were drawn. First, the development process for the new system utilised a technical agenda similar to the rational model of decision making. Second, by reference to the case study material, it was likely the new system would have organisational implications which could lead to dysfunction. Third the current development process being followed would not address these issues. In the final part of the thesis a series of Future Implementation Scenario workshops are described which attempted to assist the RM staff in identifying the organisational implications of the WO system before it was implemented. The scenario exercise explored three characteristics of participants; knowledge of the stakeholder roles affected, knowledge of the RM, and knowledge of the WO system. The workshops succeeded in revealing many organisational issues which need addressing if the new system is to improve decision making in the Revision Process. Contrary to expectations the greater knowledge of participants did not translate into a richer analysis of the implications. The thesis concludes that a full understanding of organisational decision making requires the integration of rational, bounded and social / political approaches, and that this also applies to systems design process. It also concludes that the models and methods used within organisations need to be broadened and recognise the social / organisational agenda but that the methods currently available are difficult to apply. Funhennore, by continuing with a rational / technological approach to decision making, organisations limit their future decision making options and the process is, therefore, self-perpetuating.

M.Com. (Business Management) / The business environment requires more emphasis on decision making as a result of ever increasing competition. The decision making process must therefore be speeded up in order to make companies more competitive. This places more pressure on decision makers and allows for fewer mistakes. Decisions on executive level are made by the executive committee. Executives concentrate inevitably more on those decisions that have a major impact on the company and their decision-making ability has obvious implications for the success of the organisation. It is vital that decisions are taken effectively with clearly defined elements through a distinct order of steps. The decision-making process starts with the observation of the business environment and the subsequent formation of opinions of .various situations found therein. Needs and opportunities are identified by being constantly aware of activities in this environment. The identification of needs and opportunities should be a conscious and continuous process for management. The next step in the decision-making process is the setting of specific goals to be achieved by the decision. Goals are set to establish what must be achieved by such a decision. Certain goals must be met and others are set in order to evaluate different altematives. Different goals, which could range from primary to operational goals. should therefore be set and it is important that goals for a particular decision are supportive of the primary company goals. Goals are valuable as a standard against which alternatives can be evaluated. The development of different alternatives from which a choice has to be made enhances the quest for an optimal solution to a need or opportunity. The decision-making process must be a logical and orderly process in order to enable the decision maker to make an optimal decision. De Bono's (1985) "Six Thinking Hats" provides a logical method of decision-making by a group. By practicing the "Six Thinking Hats" principle a group of decision makers can develop alternatives to come to a decision in a systematic way without the normal customary conflict inherent in group decision making. The choice between the different alternatives is the last step in the decision-making process. The decision makers must compare the different alternatives with predetermined standards to be able to establish the optimal choice. These standards include historical, external and optimal standards as well as the maintenance of the status quo. The final decision is made according to the degree that the alternative complies with the decision goals and to the degree of confidence that the decision-making team have in the forecast of the possible consequences of the alternative. Decisions on executive level are mostly concerned with the future and as such fairly uncertain. As a result of the ever increasing competition in the business environment and largely due to the rapid development of technology, the need for aids in decision-making is becoming more of a necessity with less room for mistakes. Forecasting is a decision-making aid that can be used by management in all the functional departments of the business. It is, however, important that there is communication between departments to ensure that the appropriate information is used in forecasting models. The choice of the appropriate forecasting technique depends on the characteristics of the forecasting situation and the characteristics of the forecasting technique. The forecasting technique is chosen according to the circumstances and the requirements of the particular situation that requires forecasting. The decisions that executives make are subject to both uncertainty as well as risk. The risks that are known to the decision makers can be quantified by adding probabilities to particular alternatives. The degree of risk that the executives are prepared to take depends on their attitude towards risk.

M.Comm. / The overall goal of this short dissertation is to investigate the influence of Facebook on the consumer decision-making process of students at a comprehensive university. The five phases of the consumer decision-making process will be at the core of this study; (1) Problem recognition, (2) Information search, (3) Evaluation of alternatives, (4) Purchase, (5) Post-purchase. Included in the study is the profile of consumers who use Facebook, the general trends surfacing from the use of online activities, an investigation into each of the five phases mentioned that contribute to the influence Facebook exerts. And ultimately, indicating that Facebook has various degrees of influence or no influence on the different phases in the consumer-decision making process. This study, through a self administered drop-off questionnaire whose valid respondents (total of 325 respondents), provided information about the respondents‟ demographic profile, online activities and behaviour along the five phase consumer decision-making process. As the topic of this study was about the usage of Facebook, the sample set qualifier was that having a Facebook profile was a prerequisite. The statistical techniques used in the study were based on descriptive analysis which enabled the analysis of the data with regard to the relationship of the variables whereby the data was easily summarised and understood. The other statistical technique used was factor analysis whereby the reliability and validity of the data was verified and further relationships between the variables were examined. The findings indicate that respondents exhibited actions influenced by Facebook in the first two phases of the decision making process (Problem recognition and Information search), than was evident in the remaining three phases. This framework provides the basis for further investigation into the influence of Facebook in the areas of problem recognition and information search and provides the opportunity for marketers to position themselves in a way that will address the two phases by being present on the Facebook platform.

Please read the abstract in the section, 00front, of this document / Thesis (PhD (Information Technology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Informatics / PhD / unrestricted