Thesis (MPAM.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The South African government introduced the Supply Chain Management Framework in 2003, with a vision of creating a seamless system intended to play a critical role in service delivery to communities while achieving the objectives of cost-effectiveness, fairness, equity, transparency and ethics. This study focused on the impact of Supply Chain Management Policy Implementation in the Limpopo Office of the Premier. Qualitative data were collected, primarily in the form of semi-structured interviews using an interview schedule consisting of both closed and open-ended questions with the Chief Financial Officer, Director (SCM), Deputy Directors (Demand, Acquisition, Logistics and Inventory, Asset and Transport Management) and SCM nineteen SCM practitioners. These officials provided sufficient information concerning the effect of Supply Chain Management policy implementation in the Limpopo Office of the Premier. The study established that failure to implement SCM policy hurts service delivery. The effective implementation results in improved service delivery, whereas poor implementation results in the poor quality of service to the public, fraud and corruption, irregular and fruitless expenditures as well as negative departmental image.

The purpose of this study was basically fivefold: 1) to examine the historical development and significance of the retail mix as a retail management concept; 2) to identify the nature and structure of the independent variables which make up a retail management mix; 3) to distinguish the nature and significance of each variable within the structure of the retail management mix; 4) to propose and develop an interrelated set of propositions in the form of a retail management mix for retail grocery establishments belonging to a retailer-cooperative in the state of Texas; and 5) to relate the retail management mix theory to dependent variables gross profit margin, net profit margin, gross profit return on inventory, and net profit return on inventory. The major thrust of this study was to propose and research a retail management mix theory for retail grocery establishments belonging to a retailer-cooperative in the state of Texas.

Resistance of subsidiaries of multinational corporations to global coordination efforts by their headquarters is an important contemporary research subject in the field of international business studies. This case study of sales and marketing organizations in five international subsidiaries of a highly divisionalized corporation illustrates how the capabilities and the willingness to adopt and pursue global strategies is strongly influenced by local situational and organizational factors. The defining business problem was different in each country organization, ranging from product related issues such as quick innovation cycles and price competition, to economic concerns like emerging market dynamics and economic crisis, and other problems related to cultural dissimilarity. A large degree of divisionalization seems to dilute central leadership, as central managers compete for the attention and the resources of the subsidiaries and local managers behave like independent distributors, picking and choosing the most favorable offerings. In order to establish successful leadership in the absence of hierarchical control, intermediate central sales and marketing managers need to first of all internally coordinate their activities towards their local counterparts. Top management needs to establish legitimate authority of intermediate managers by clear definitions of international matrix roles and management procedures. Central sales and marketing managers need to have enough international field experience to be able to correctly assess the different local situations, advance their initiatives in a diplomatic way on all local hierarchy levels and to become overall credible and accepted partners for the local teams. Directly engaging in field activities with local customers and sales teams seems to help achieving these objectives and thus to contribute to the successful enforcement of global strategies.

<p dir="ltr">In the dynamic landscape of digital platforms, which includes various e-commerce and online review platforms, reputation systems play a fascinating role in shaping consumer behavior and influencing market outcomes. Seller-level reputation badges and individual recognition interventions, such as status badges and exemplar reviews, serve as important tools for enhancing trust and guiding customer decisions. Despite the prevalent use of customer reviews and ratings, the additional value provided by these reputation mechanisms warrants comprehensive investigation. This dissertation delves into the multifaceted impacts of seller-level reputation badges and exemplar reviews on consumer behavior and platform performance through two distinct essays.</p><p dir="ltr">In the first essay, we utilize a distinctive panel dataset from Airbnb to estimate the comprehensive effects of the seller reputation badge on both individual sellers and the overall platform. This study diverges from existing research that predominantly examines the influence of product-level reputation badges on individual sellers. By employing a difference-in-differences methodology and an exogenously determined schedule of updating the Superhost badge status, we find a substantial positive impact of the Superhost badge system on the bookings for Airbnb sellers and the platform. Additionally, we employ counterfactual estimators to uncover evidence of temporal dynamics in the badge system's positive effects. Our findings from counterfactual estimators indicate that the influence of the Superhost badge intensifies considerably within the initial weeks following its implementation, after which it reaches a state of equilibrium. Moreover, our analysis suggests that the Superhost badge exerts a more significant positive effect on the bookings of properties managed by hosts with multiple listings than those with a single property. These observations underscore the significant value of instituting a seller reputation badge system, even for online platforms with customer review mechanisms.</p><p dir="ltr">In a related analysis, the second essay investigates the strategies employed by online review platforms, which often involve targeted interventions such as status badges and exemplar reviews, to enhance user contribution to the platform's review system. However, a minority of individuals receive these interventions, and limited research exists on how reviews written by such intervention recipients result in second-order effects on nonrecipients' contributions. In this study, we leverage a quasi-experimental framework on a leading Asian review platform to evaluate the impact of exemplar reviews on users' review-writing behavior. We utilize a combination of econometric methods and natural language processing techniques to show an increase in the quantity and quality of user contributions following exposure to exemplar reviews. We also observe that users adapt their writing styles in response to exemplar reviews. Importantly, the effect of an exemplar review is moderated by the user's review-writing experience. Specifically, our findings reveal that less experienced reviewers, as opposed to their more seasoned counterparts, tend to increase their review volume and length upon reading exemplar reviews. However, they need more progress regarding review readability and perceived helpfulness. Further investigation indicates that reviews by users exposed to exemplar content gradually exhibit increasing homogeneity over time in terms of length, sentiment, readability, and topic diversity, suggesting a self-herding behavior that has not been previously documented in the literature on user-generated content. These insights provide valuable practical implications for platform managers on effectively utilizing reward programs to enhance the sustainability of their review platforms.</p>

Thesis (D. Tech. (Cost and Management Accounting)) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2011 / The focus area of this research project is on the pricing function in an organisation. The discussion of the pricing function commences with a generic perspective and concludes with the pricing of academic programmes at a typical public higher education institution, namely the Central University of Technology, Free State. The following summary sets out the key issues addressed in this study: a) The pricing function b) The pricing plan c) Pricing and its effect on the affordability of public higher education The analyses conducted proved that a comprehensive pricing plan does not exist at the Central University of Technology, Free State for the pricing of the various academic programmes, and that higher education has, despite the increasing trend in government funding, become less affordable for students at the institution. The affordability issue at the Central University of Technology, Free State can be partly attributed to the lack of a comprehensive pricing plan with clear attainable pricing objectives, and a pricing strategy to accomplish the stated pricing objectives. Another contributing factor to the affordability issue is the lack of an integrated cost accounting system and costing policies that outline measures to address the cost efficiency of the institution. Implementation of the recommended pricing plan should assist management in determining tuition fees on a scientific basis, and will also enable the management of the Central University of Technology, Free State to explain to all relevant stakeholders how the tuition fees of the various academic programmes are calculated.

The primary goal of this study was to identify key success factors for the management of a conference centre in South Africa. This goal was achieved by firstly portraying an overview of the conference industry in South Africa. Secondly, a literature study was conducted in order to determine the aspects in the literature that are regarded as of vital importance in managing a conference centre. Thirdly, the results of the empirical research were discussed. Lastly, conclusions were drawn from the research and recommendations were made with regard to further research. From the literature study, aspects of strategic management, financial management, marketing management, human resource management and management of operational aspects were identified as being important in the management of a conference centre. These aspects were used to compile a questionnaire. The objective of the questionnaire was to measure the importance that conference centre managers attach to the identified elements. Questionnaires were e-mailed to 250 conference centres. A total of 100 questionnaires were received back. The study population consisted of a database as compiled by the researcher from the Direct Access Conference Handbook (2004) and the Africa Conference Directory (2006/7). Questionnaires were also handed out personally to exhibitors at the INDABA Tourism Exhibition (2006). From the responses to the questionnaire it can be deduced that conference centre managers regard the aspects of strategic management, financial management, marketing management, human resource management and management of operational details as important to very important. A factor analysis was done to determine the key success factors in managing a conference centre. The following factors were identified, namely to: • Provide a conference centre with a functional layout and the correct variety of activities; • perform marketing management; • ensure that operational aspects are in place; • do proper planning; • provide an attractive venue and conduct a post-conference evaluation; and • perform human resource management. Conference centre managers have to apply the above-mentioned key success factors to ensure that the conference centre is successful over the longterm. / Thesis (M.A. (Tourism))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

In the wake of globalization, an increasing amount of firms must consider internationalization strategies to remain competitive. The strategic decision of where to expand is complex by nature. This is particularly true for retailers, and despite this being generally accepted, relatively little is in fact known about retailers ́ choice of foreign markets. Hence, this study investigates international market selection (IMS) strategies of Swedish retailers with global operations. The purpose of this study is twofold; first, to explore which criteria Swedish retailers use upon making international market selection decisions and investigate the relative importance among these criteria. Second, to assess the possibilities of creating a weighted IMS model for retailers, which can be use as guidance for marketing practitioners. The research questions which will be answered are: How do Swedish international retailers select foreign markets? What are the possibilities of creating a weighted IMS model for retailers? The study embraces a qualitative strategy with an exploratory research approach and a multiple case study design. Through extensive literature review, a conceptual framework is constructed, and subsequently developed, post gaining insight in practitioners’ reasoning. The empirical data was gathered through interviews with managers of Swedish retailers with international presence, as well as strategy consultants who routinely work with strategy conformation for Swedish retailers. Our findings show that criteria which influence IMS decisions among Swedish retailers are quite similar among firms and can be arranged under three main categories; market attractiveness, psychic distance and internal factors. Moreover, as a result of the empirical findings, we suggest previous IMS research lack one important factor which influences the IMS decisions, namely “gut-feeling”/coincidence. The relative importance among factors proved to vary among firms. Consequently, four concepts aiming at explaining the variations were developed. The four concepts include firm size, firm objective, industry of the firm, and ownership structure. Finally, with support from respondents, we arrived at a conclusion suggesting that construction of a weighted IMS model for all types of retailers is unfeasible. However, if the scope is limited to only include firms of similar characteristics as proposed by the four concepts, such model could potentially yield solid validity.

Previous research highlighted consumer dissatisfaction with fashion clothing products on offer. There is a lack of information about real consumers needs due to the industry standards of beauty and behaviour as well as a constant rush for innovation that feeds fashion cycles. This research identifies the elements that will enable fashion clothing companies to become more inclusive, and aims to find a methodological relationship between the stakeholders in the fashion industry: consumers, designers and companies. The research considered the difference between a mature market as opposed to emergent ones, and addressed differences between Western and Eastern cultures.

<p>ИЗ<br />Производња и пласман сира заузимају једно од кључних места у стратегији развоја и раста агроиндустрије многих, економски најразвијенијих, земаља. Као финални производ сточарске производње, сир, као готов производ, резултат је ангажовања већег броја различитих привредних субјеката у ланцу стварања и испоруке вредности, због чега може бити значајан генератор прихода за&nbsp; све учеснике и фактор економског развоја Републике Србије.&nbsp; Основни циљ истраживања је да се на бази информација добијених обрадом података из&nbsp; примарних и секундарних извора, креира&nbsp; предлог функционалног маркетинг концепта, као услова за унапређење производње и пласмана сира из понуде произвођача Републике Србије, на домаћем и иностраним тржиштима. Резултати истраживања треба да укажу на факторе који су од значаја за повећање домаће производње, перспективе и могуће извозне дестинације, као и повећање извоза.</p><p><br /><br />Резултати истраживања указују на то да, у светским размерама, Република Србија није конкурент у сегменту индустријских сирева. Оно што, пре свега удружени, произвођачи сира Републике Србије могу да понуде све захтевнијим потрошачима на домаћем и међународном тржишту, јесу првенствено аутохтони сиреви који носе ознаку географског порекла, варијетети традиционалних, органских, као и сиреви са додатом вредношћу који могу да задовоље специфичне захтеве идентификоване тржишне тражње, како у погледу квалитета и осталих маркетинг обележја, тако и у погледу безбедности хране. Основни услов за креирање профитно оријентисаних пољопривредних газдинстава која се баве производњом сира, јесте континуирана аграрна политика којом се креирају услови извесности за привредне субјекте. Удруживање, успостављање акредитованих програма континуиране едукације из области маркетинга и производње сира, као и државни подстицаји у виду наменски опредељених финансијских средстава, представљају неке од примарних фактора развоја и јачања конкурентске позиције произвођача сира.<br /><br />Датум</p> / <p>IZ<br />Proizvodnja i plasman sira zauzimaju jedno od ključnih mesta u strategiji razvoja i rasta agroindustrije mnogih, ekonomski najrazvijenijih, zemalja. Kao finalni proizvod stočarske proizvodnje, sir, kao gotov proizvod, rezultat je angažovanja većeg broja različitih privrednih subjekata u lancu stvaranja i isporuke vrednosti, zbog čega može biti značajan generator prihoda za&nbsp; sve učesnike i faktor ekonomskog razvoja Republike Srbije.&nbsp; Osnovni cilj istraživanja je da se na bazi informacija dobijenih obradom podataka iz&nbsp; primarnih i sekundarnih izvora, kreira&nbsp; predlog funkcionalnog marketing koncepta, kao uslova za unapređenje proizvodnje i plasmana sira iz ponude proizvođača Republike Srbije, na domaćem i inostranim tržištima. Rezultati istraživanja treba da ukažu na faktore koji su od značaja za povećanje domaće proizvodnje, perspektive i moguće izvozne destinacije, kao i povećanje izvoza.</p><p><br /><br />Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na to da, u svetskim razmerama, Republika Srbija nije konkurent u segmentu industrijskih sireva. Ono što, pre svega udruženi, proizvođači sira Republike Srbije mogu da ponude sve zahtevnijim potrošačima na domaćem i međunarodnom tržištu, jesu prvenstveno autohtoni sirevi koji nose oznaku geografskog porekla, varijeteti tradicionalnih, organskih, kao i sirevi sa dodatom vrednošću koji mogu da zadovolje specifične zahteve identifikovane tržišne tražnje, kako u pogledu kvaliteta i ostalih marketing obeležja, tako i u pogledu bezbednosti hrane. Osnovni uslov za kreiranje profitno orijentisanih poljoprivrednih gazdinstava koja se bave proizvodnjom sira, jeste kontinuirana agrarna politika kojom se kreiraju uslovi izvesnosti za privredne subjekte. Udruživanje, uspostavljanje akreditovanih programa kontinuirane edukacije iz oblasti marketinga i proizvodnje sira, kao i državni podsticaji u vidu namenski opredeljenih finansijskih sredstava, predstavljaju neke od primarnih faktora razvoja i jačanja konkurentske pozicije proizvođača sira.<br /><br />Datum</p> / <p>AB&nbsp;<br />Cheese production and placing on the market hold some of key positions of growth and development strategies in agricultural industry of numerous highly developed countries. As the final product of livestock production &ndash; cheese, as the finished product is a result of several different business entities participating in the creation cycle and value delivery. Hence, it could be a significant revenue generator for all participants</p><p><br /><br />and a factor in the economic development of the Republic of Serbia. Primary aim of the research is to create a functional marketing concept proposal on the basis of information obtained from data analysis received from primary and secondary sources as a condition for enhanced cheese production and placing on the market by Serbian manufacturers, both on domestic and international markets. Research results should indicate significant factors in increased domestic production, prospects and potential export destinations as well as increased export. Research results reveal that the Republic of Serbia is not a competitor in the field of industrial cheese on a global scale. Something that, above all, associated cheese manufacturers from the Republic of Serbia can offer to progressively demanding consumers on both domestic and international market are original varieties of cheese with designation of origin, varieties of traditional and organic cheese, value-added cheese which can meet the specific requirements of identified market demand. This refers to quality and other marketing features, including food safety as well. Elementary condition for creating profitoriented agricultural holdings for cheese production is the continuous agricultural policy which creates conditions of certainty for business entities. Creating associations and founding accredited programs of continuing education in the field of marketing and cheese production as well as state incentives in the form of dedicated funds represent some of primary factors in development and strengthening the competitive position among cheese manufacturers.</p>

Includes list of Supplementary refereed publications relating to thesis; and of Refereed conference papers, as appendix 1 Includes bibliograhical references (p. 316-343) Focusses particularly on the purchase of wine and the factors that influence consumer choice and the values that drive the decision process across different consumption occasions. The effectiveness of occasion as part of the theoretical model of means-end chain analysis is investigated, as well as the feasibility of occasion in the Olsen and Thach (2001) conceptual framework of consumer behavior relating to wine.