The research was conducted to determine the degree of organisational performance measurement in SMEs in the ICT sector within the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Literature on performance measurement and SMEs was reviewed and provided the theoretical foundation for the research. A qualitative approach to research was followed using case research based on semi-structured interviews to determine the knowledge and perceived value of performance measurement in SMEs. The study also investigated the prominent performance measures used by SMEs and difficulties around the implementation of these measures. The findings were related to the literature regarding the attributes of measures, the dimensions of performance and the characteristics of performance measurement frameworks. In conclusion, a method for SMEs to use performance information to their advantage was proposed.

The research was conducted to determine the degree of organisational performance measurement in SMEs in the ICT sector within the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Literature on performance measurement and SMEs was reviewed and provided the theoretical foundation for the research. A qualitative approach to research was followed using case research based on semi-structured interviews to determine the knowledge and perceived value of performance measurement in SMEs. The study also investigated the prominent performance measures used by SMEs and difficulties around the implementation of these measures. The findings were related to the literature regarding the attributes of measures, the dimensions of performance and the characteristics of performance measurement frameworks. In conclusion, a method for SMEs to use performance information to their advantage was proposed.

ABSTRACT Under conditions of pervasive change, the most difficult challenge facing the market leader is sustaining its leading position. The primary research problem statement relates to the construct of Disruptive Innovation that has the potential for new entrants to substantially alter the basis of competition and impact the business models of incumbents. Ultimately, how are shapers distinguished from adopters of Disruptive Innovation? A qualitative research methodology was selected given the nature of the research. The main findings from the analysis indicate that nontechnological attributes distinguishes shapers from adopters of Disruptive Innovation in the telecommunications sector of South Africa. However, Disruptive Innovation as a construct, is largely unknown, and does not adequately explain the changes in the landscape of the telecommunications sector of South Africa. The implications for the research results are that other factors or features, such as the role and impact of the State, have a role to play in explaining the features of the South African telecommunications sector.

ABSTRACT Under conditions of pervasive change, the most difficult challenge facing the market leader is sustaining its leading position. The primary research problem statement relates to the construct of Disruptive Innovation that has the potential for new entrants to substantially alter the basis of competition and impact the business models of incumbents. Ultimately, how are shapers distinguished from adopters of Disruptive Innovation? A qualitative research methodology was selected given the nature of the research. The main findings from the analysis indicate that nontechnological attributes distinguishes shapers from adopters of Disruptive Innovation in the telecommunications sector of South Africa. However, Disruptive Innovation as a construct, is largely unknown, and does not adequately explain the changes in the landscape of the telecommunications sector of South Africa. The implications for the research results are that other factors or features, such as the role and impact of the State, have a role to play in explaining the features of the South African telecommunications sector.

The tension uncovered during this study is between two worlds: the very pragmatic and enormously challenging world of managing in a rapidly changing and highly competitive global market, and the scientific world of strategic management thinking and the concern that contemporary strategic management is unable to deal effectively with the modern dilemma of globalisation. This dilemma is as a result of change; before a current scenario can be solved, the next evolution of scenarios is upon the business community. In today's turbulent world, globalisation is sweeping away the market and industry structures that, historically, have defined competition. Swept away with them are the classic approaches to strategic management, nearly all of which mistakenly assume that a predictable path to the future can be paved from the experiences of the past. The solution: Strategy should be dynamic and should change constantly in order to contend with external turbulences. Organisations should brace themselves for a future of hyper-competition. They should respond to these rapid changes in the business environment by adopting a new approach to strategy, one that combines speed, openness, and flexibility. Organisations need: an ability to sense changes in their environment; an ability to understand the impact, of this change, on the whole; a willingness to adapt to change; and an ability to adapt. Experimenting with new strategies is also important. Constant testing, adaptation and building on what is found to be successful with customers is the way ahead, especially when one is trying to re-invent the value provided, or the way in which it is produced and delivered. The overall purpose of this experimental strategic learning and management process is to establish which strategic options or elements thereof are robust across the possible competitive scenarios, and use the healthiest elements to develop your strategic intent - your core strategic focus or theme.

The tension uncovered during this study is between two worlds: the very pragmatic and enormously challenging world of managing in a rapidly changing and highly competitive global market, and the scientific world of strategic management thinking and the concern that contemporary strategic management is unable to deal effectively with the modern dilemma of globalisation. This dilemma is as a result of change; before a current scenario can be solved, the next evolution of scenarios is upon the business community. In today's turbulent world, globalisation is sweeping away the market and industry structures that, historically, have defined competition. Swept away with them are the classic approaches to strategic management, nearly all of which mistakenly assume that a predictable path to the future can be paved from the experiences of the past. The solution: Strategy should be dynamic and should change constantly in order to contend with external turbulences. Organisations should brace themselves for a future of hyper-competition. They should respond to these rapid changes in the business environment by adopting a new approach to strategy, one that combines speed, openness, and flexibility. Organisations need: an ability to sense changes in their environment; an ability to understand the impact, of this change, on the whole; a willingness to adapt to change; and an ability to adapt. Experimenting with new strategies is also important. Constant testing, adaptation and building on what is found to be successful with customers is the way ahead, especially when one is trying to re-invent the value provided, or the way in which it is produced and delivered. The overall purpose of this experimental strategic learning and management process is to establish which strategic options or elements thereof are robust across the possible competitive scenarios, and use the healthiest elements to develop your strategic intent - your core strategic focus or theme.

This study is aimed at investigating the effect of mergers and acquisitions on the share prices and dividends involving South African companies in the food and beverage industry. A sample of 79 mergers from 1999 to 2005 was used. The data was analysed using the event study methodology and descriptive statistics. In addition, the paired t-test was also conducted to test the significance of the results. The results were presented using graphs, tables and charts. The results showed that target companies obtained negative abnormal returns during the announcement of mergers while acquiring companies on the other hand received positive abnormal returns. The results imply that it can no longer be generalized that target companies always win and acquiring companies lose during the merger activity. On the other hand, the dividends for target companies increased significantly after the merger, while the dividends for acquiring companies remained insignificantly negative after the merger. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / MBL

This study will focus on the South African sugar generic marketing campaign and compare this initiative with other generic food commodity marketing campaigns with the objective of identifying appropriate methodologies for measuring generic marketing campaign effectiveness / The purpose of the study is to determine if consumer attitude towards sugar is an indicator of sugar consumption behaviour. Attitudinal statements were developed using the results of a segmentation study, which classified sugar consumers into six segments. These statements, which were characteristic of consumer attitudes towards sugar, were included in a national survey of 2 516 respondents to test sugar consumption behaviour relative to consumer attitudes. Conventional statistical methods were applied to analyse the sugar consumption behaviour of respondents within the six attitudinal segments. It was found that there is a direct relationship between consumer attitudes towards sugar and sugar consumption behaviour. Consumers with a positive predisposition towards sugar were found to consume significantly more sugar than those in negatively predisposed segments. According to attitude theory, which suggests that attitude can be influenced and changed, the study concludes that generic advertising is an appropriate communication tool to influence and change the attitudes of negatively predisposed sugar users in order to improve sugar consumption. Furthermore the segmentation based on attitudes provides a method for measuring the success of advertising initiatives by monitoring the movement of consumers between positive and negative segments. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / MBL

This study will focus on the South African sugar generic marketing campaign and compare this initiative with other generic food commodity marketing campaigns with the objective of identifying appropriate methodologies for measuring generic marketing campaign effectiveness / The purpose of the study is to determine if consumer attitude towards sugar is an indicator of sugar consumption behaviour. Attitudinal statements were developed using the results of a segmentation study, which classified sugar consumers into six segments. These statements, which were characteristic of consumer attitudes towards sugar, were included in a national survey of 2 516 respondents to test sugar consumption behaviour relative to consumer attitudes. Conventional statistical methods were applied to analyse the sugar consumption behaviour of respondents within the six attitudinal segments. It was found that there is a direct relationship between consumer attitudes towards sugar and sugar consumption behaviour. Consumers with a positive predisposition towards sugar were found to consume significantly more sugar than those in negatively predisposed segments. According to attitude theory, which suggests that attitude can be influenced and changed, the study concludes that generic advertising is an appropriate communication tool to influence and change the attitudes of negatively predisposed sugar users in order to improve sugar consumption. Furthermore the segmentation based on attitudes provides a method for measuring the success of advertising initiatives by monitoring the movement of consumers between positive and negative segments. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / MBL

Theory of coaching, main theme of the thesis is nowadays a very important area in Sociology of management. This method of employee development and approach in management of organisations is described theoretically and differentiated form other methods of personal growth. When assessing management of organisations based on coaching the author expects that this approach will be used by the companies that build their culture on Freedom at work. Concept of Freedom at work as an unexplored trend in the Sociology of management is depicted theoretically and practically. Methodological part of the thesis describes qualitative and quantitative pilot research that the author conducted in Czech organisations that claim to use Freedom at work. Main goal of the research was comparison of theory Freedom at work and its praxis and evaluation of actual application of coaching approach in management. At the end of the thesis author depicts the most important milestones in the theory of leadership that influenced the origins of Freedom at work and coaching. Key words Coaching, Freedom at work. Leadership style, Empoyee development