Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Magister Technologiae: Public Relations Management in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / Introduction This research explores effective communication within tourism to answer the research question “What are the communication needs of the same day rail visitor in Cape Town?” The research sub-questions are namely: Who is the same day rail visitor in Cape Town? What are the same day rail visitors’ communication needs? What are the same day rail visitors’ information search preferences? How does the same day rail visitor perceive rail tourism communication? What are the same day rail visitors’ product attributes? Literature review Using a theoretical framework anchored by Lumsdon and Page’s (2004) tourist-transport interface, Fodness’s (1994) tourism motivation theory, as well as information search (Fodness & Murray, 1997), this quantitative research considers how the same day rail visitor obtains tourist destination information and the influence of that information on their transport decisions to reach the tourist destination. Destination image (Beerli & Martin, 2004a) plays a key role in influencing the purchase behaviour of tourists as those destinations with a strong positive image, have a better chance of being selected by tourists in their travel decision process. Furthermore the literature explores effective communication and its ability to link the tourist with the destination (Hall, 1999), and the role of public relations in establishing rail tourism in Cape Town (Stacks, 1992; Grunig & Hunt, 1984: Van Ruler, 2004). Design and methodology A quantitative empirical, research design was selected for this limited scope thesis. The study used a single, structured, self-administered and pre-tested questionnaire. This questionnaire was distributed to convenience samples of same day rail visitors on board the tourism train to either Simon’s Town or Stellenbosch. While the non-probabilistic sample cannot be generalised into a broad overview of the same day rail visitor; it can offer insights into the communication needs of the rail tourist. Key findings The key findings to this research were: The same day rail visitor in Cape Town is mainly local South African, travelling in a family or friend group and using rail for the first time. • Understanding ‘information search’ behaviour is the key to meeting the communication needs of the same day rail visitor as while both men and women seek information, but they seek information differently and use different information sources, with the message and channel being important. • The same day rail visitor uses a variety of communication channels to find information. • The same day rail visitor was disappointed in some of the promotional communication as it over promised on the destination image (trip). • Cape Town rail service is doing an ‘average’ but not a good job in communicating rail tourism information. • Effective communication channels for trip experience and feedback were email and social media (Facebook and Twitter). • The same day rail visitor uses a variety of communication channels to communicate with, and to receive communication from, Cape Town rail service. • The same day rail visitor requires relevant information that enables them to make a purchase decision. • The majority of same day rail visitors obtained knowledge about the tourist service via promotions on Groupon and thereafter from family, friends and the internet. • Personal safety and security are very important product attributes (88 %). • Cross-transport inter-connections, preferably at railway station, were essential to 90% of the respondents. • The same day rail visitors’ product needs are matched by their experiences. Recommendations Future study is recommended to consider whether improved communication on the trains and stations to the ‘to work’ commuters and ‘anything but work’ commuters, would extend their patronage to include same day rail visitor. It is recommended that further studies explore whether a causal relationship exists between the prices of the Groupon same day rail visitor package and purchase decisions of rail tourists in Cape Town.

Thesis (MTech (Information Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011. / For almost three decades practitioners, academics, consultants, and research organisations have identified 'attaining alignment between IT and business' (Luttman & Kempaiah, 2007), as a pervasive problem. Despite the wide acceptance of the term "strategic alignment", there was no consensus on how to achieve alignment. The research philosophy was of an interpretive study and an inductive research approach was used. The research strategy was by means of a case study, namely PRASA Western Cape, a business unit of Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). The time horizon for this research was cross sectional. For the data collection a semi-structured interview, supported by secondary data from the business plan and annual report, was used. The research problem was "PRASA has dysfunctional and fragmented institutional arrangements, resulting in misalignment between business and IT". The primary research question to address this problem was "How can PRASA manage strategic alignment between business and IT?" The aim of this research was to understand why the misalignment between business and IT strategies exists at PRASA. A further aim was to propose a guideline to manage alignment between business and IT strategies with the intention of overcoming the fragmented and dysfunctional institutional arrangements. To address resolving the research problem three theoretical models were used. The strategic alignment model was used to ascertain the strategic perspective of PRASA as well as to identify the external strategic fit and internal functional integration of an organisation. The second model used was the strategic alignment maturity model. This model was used to identify the alignment maturity of the business/IT strategies. The final model used was the balanced scorecard. Alignment is one of the best practices recommended by the balanced scorecard, and it recommends aligning all to the strategy of the company. The reason for using the balanced scorecard was that the company currently uses this tool to manage performance. The research finding concluded that PRASA had the strategic execution alignment perspective - business strategy dictates the IT strategy. The overall strategic alignment maturity of the organisation was found to be in initial process. The balanced scorecard methodology was known by all, yet few knew what the performance measures for the organisation was for the year. The triangulated conclusion was that strategic alignment between business and IT was a problem at PRASA. The recommendation was that the organisation conducts three surveys firstly to identify its strategic choice, secondly to identify the strategic alignment maturity and lastly to do a balanced scorecard best practice survey.

Thesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / This research reports on a study conducted in the railway industry in South Africa, the purpose being to help the railway industry by showing how a knowledge management system can be used in the task of extracting tacit knowledge. In the light of the fact that railways in many countries throughout the world function as an effective mass transportation system for passengers, this study aims to design and propose a model that will help the railway industry in South Africa in the task of implementing a knowledge management system to facilitate the process of extracting tacit knowledge from experienced employees and making it explicit knowledge in order to sustain railway system operations. This study looked at the process of designing a model that is presented as a recommendation to be used for a knowledge management system in the railway sector in South Africa. The aim of this study is not to provide a technical solution but to give a viable and workable reply to the main research question of this study: How can a knowledge management system be implemented or deployed to the railway sector?

M.Comm. / Metro Rail has to make a thorough study of how to compete and flourish in this dynamic Industry. It has become vital that the company refocuses its efforts to meet or even to exceed its customer's expectations. The overall objectives of this study are the following: To describe the theoretical basis of the different types of macro environmental variables and they're likely impact on the decision making process of a transport user. To discuss the different stages involved in the consumer and buyer decision making process. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the most appropriate strategy guidelines are set to exploit opportunities in the passenger transport industry. To look at how modal integration will enhance the passenger transport industry if adopted.

State-owned enterprises (SOE’s) in South Africa have long been financial albatrosses around the government’s neck. The government decided to restructure them so that they can play a role in the overall economic development of the country (Didiza, 2002:15). Transnet, one of South Africa’s largest SOE’s, is the largest transportation company in South Africa and is divided into various business units, of which Spoornet (rail transportation) is one. Spoornet has had to evolve from a subsidised state owned enterprise to a semi-privatised business unit, able to survive in a competitive business world. This entailed streamlining and restructuring the business unit in order for it to become more productive and financially fit. One of the biggest threats was the amount of human capital that Spoornet employed. The workforce had to be reduced in order to allow Spoornet to become an effective and competitive business unit. In addition to this, Spoornet must adhere to affirmative action policies instituted by government labour laws (Employment Equity Act, Act 55 of 1998). This act was introduced to redress the present effects of South Africa’s past in bringing about a diverse workforce broadly representing South Africa’s demographics. This has resulted in early retirement packages being offered to assist Spoornet in achieving employment equity targets. All of these changes have had a major impact on employee turnover that has resulted in a large amount of skills and expertise being lost. Professional, specialised and skilled people are in global demand, which has added to the exodus of employees from many organisations. Spoornet has experienced this at an alarming rate, so much so that in 2001, they established a retention committee to address ways to reverse the high number of specialised employee exits. Abstract iv The overall purpose of the research was to identify strategies for Spoornet to retain their specialised and skilled employees, thereby reducing the amount of specialised and skilled staff turnover. The research methodology for this study comprised the following steps: • Firstly, a full literature study regarding strategies that an organisation can utilise for the retention of their critical employees was researched. • Secondly, the views of current Spoornet employees on retention strategies were assessed in an empirical study, which involved completing a questionnaire. • Lastly, recommendations due to the findings of the researcher were identified for Spoornet to retain their highly skilled and specialised employees.

This research is centred on the fundamental analysis that change management within business environment is related to leadership, power bases and organisational culture. The success of organisational change management is commonly dependent on these variables that are interdependent and collectively used. How leaders who are conscious about the power they hold and utilizing each respective power base to effectively manage organisational culture. There is extensive research literature considering the individual variables of leadership, power and organisational culture. The research aims to form a deep dive case study analysis into the interrelationships between the three dimensions. It aims to comprehend the change management initiatives in State-Owned Entities in the context of South Africa and Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa. Through a case study research approach, which comprised of face-to-face expert interviews and observations with employees from Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa data was collected. Content analysis techniques were applied to determine common trends and relationships across the three key dimensions identified from the literature, which related to each dimension. A number of interesting and useful relationships were uncovered within and between the key drivers and extend the current literature in this field. It was discovered that the leaders who are conscious about their power bases and effectively manage them are able to contribute to a sustainable organisational culture. Through this, the organisation is able to become a perpetual institution where leadership can hand over successful over time this being the fundamental of successful organisational change. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / Unrestricted

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Global rail reform is an important topic, especially seen against a backdrop of a worldwide requirement to facilitate modal shift back to rail. This modal shift is required because of growing environmental issues and rising freight cost concerns. Appropriate rail reform is also required to create an environment for South Africa’s freight railway to sustainably achieve modal shift to reverse this trend. This research is based on an idealised design approach that postulates an ideal virtual railway for South Africa, based on Transport Economic and market segmentation principles. It is accepted that major investment will be required to realise this ideal railway, but the exact role, positioning, institutional and organisational structures of the railway system require clarification. The established approach to provide this clarification in a typical business is, first and foremost, to understand the market that needs to be served through appropriate market segmentation. In this regard, the research presents: • an overview of South Africa’s surface freight transport industry, including the specific challenges faced by the industry and the historical evolution of the industry; • a benchmarking exercise of South Africa’s rail system against global rail systems; • a summary of global rail reform case references; • the need for transport economic regulation; • an analysis of current total surface freight flows (road and rail) across the geography of the country’s transport corridors, culminating in a freight flow market segmentation for South Africa informed by rail’s economic fundamentals; • the resultant effect of this analysis on the framing of an idealised network design; and • a rail reform proposal based on the idealised design. The research ‘imagines’ that the country has no existing railway system and analyse the manner in which specific freight (commodities and cargo types) actually flows from origin to destination by all modes of transport within the country’s freight logistics industry. The result of the freight market segmentation exercise informs the crafting of an ideal network. Using this ideal network as a starting point, the most appropriate rail reform option is considered against the background of benchmarking the current system. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die wêreldwye beweging vir ‘n modale verskuiwing terug na spoor is ‘n belangrike faktor wanneer spoorhervorming ter sake kom. Dit word as gevolg van die toenemende klem wat op omgewingskwessies gelê word en stygende vervoerkostes, vereis. Toepaslike spoorhervorming is ook in Suid-Afrika belangrik sodat‘n omgewing waarin Suid – Afrika se vragvervoer volhoubaar modale verskuiwing kan bereik, geskep kan word om sodoende ‘n modale verskuiwing te bewerkstellig. Die navorsing in hierdie tesis word op ‘n geïdealiseerde ontwerp benadering gegrond wat die ideale spoorweg vir Suid – Afrika postuleer. Vervoerekonomiese en marksegmenteringsbeginsels vorm die grondslag van die ontwerp. Beduidende investering sal benodig word om hierdie ideale spoorweg te laat realiseer, maar die presiese rol, posisionering, en institusionele en organisatoriese strukture van die spoorwegsisteem is nog onduidelik. Die gevestigde navorsingsgefundeerde benadering om hierdie vraagstuk te benader is om eerstens markvraag deur middel van marksegmentering, te bepaal. In hierdie opsig bied die navorsing: • ‘n oorsig van Suid–Afrika se landvragvervoerbedryf, insluitend die spesifieke uitdagings en historiese evolusie van die bedryf; • ‘n nomrstellingsoefening van Suid–Afrika se spoorsisteem teen globale spoorsisteme; • ‘n opsomming van globale spoorhervorminggevallestudies; • die behoefte aan vervoerekonomiese regulering; • ‘n analise van die huidige landvragvloeivolumes (pad en spoor) regoor die land se vervoerkorridors wat in ‘n vragvloeimarksegmentering vir Suid–Afrika uitloop, • die gevolglike effek van die analise op die ontwerp van ‘n geïdealiseerde network; en • ‘n spoorhervormingvoorstel gegrond op die geïdealiseerde ontwerp. Hierdie navorsing gebruik ‘n virtuele benadering naamlik dat die land geen bestaande spoorwegsisteem het nie en analiseer die vraag na vervoer op die fynste moontlike vlak. Die resultaat van die vragsegmenteringoefening word gebruik om die ideale netwerk te bou. Deur die gebruik van die ideale netwerk as ‘n uitgangspunt word die mees geskikte spoorhervormingopsie oorweeg met normstelling van die huidige sisteem as ‘n vergelykende agtergrond.

M.Ing. (Engineering Management) / Commuter rail in South Africa faces many challenges as a result of a long history of inadequate investment in rail rolling stock, infrastructure, operations as well as the loss of appropriate managerial and technical (engineering) skills within the industry. Over time, commuter rail services have continued to fail to respond adequately to the changing passenger demands. On the other hand mobility has undergone constant change in terms of both population growth and spatial patterns. For an effective and viable country, the transport infrastructure and operations have to respond to this continual process of change. From the transport context, South Africa is still haunted by its poor transport legacies of the past, which emerged mainly as a result of dysfunctional institutions. The dysfunctional institutional arrangements have resulted in poor accountability in the provision of public transport services, which were found to be largely disempowering. Government‘s socio-economic and transport policies could not be supported adequately by such institutional arrangements. As South Africa embarks on a journey of turning its public transport system around, the challenges for public transport are to simultaneously transform through meaningful integration, whilst at the same time enhancing capacity through upgrading and modernization in order to meet long-term needs of the economy. This research focuses on the impacts of urbanization, commuter rail network and planning interventions aimed at an integrated public transport solution. Firstly, the research investigates the impact of urbanization in relation to public transport and in addressing the ongoing challenge of rapid growth and thereby perpetuating social, economic and spatial inequalities. Secondly, there is a disjuncture between legislation and implementation that the research investigates. Thirdly, the study investigates the connectedness of Gauteng in relation to economic opportunities, social facilities and amenities. It aims to explore the extent of integration of Gauteng institutionally, spatially and socio-economically. The study concludes that transportation is the single most important factor in shaping the economy. Transportation should therefore be highlighted in the spatial development planning framework and processes in Gauteng. The key in addressing the impact of urban rapid growth on commuter rail is managing land use and transport networks in such a way that the highest level of access to services and employment opportunities are maintained.

The increase of motor vehicles, especially in cities, cause transport problems of traffic congestion, vehicle accidents, air pollution and a lack of public spaces. The increasing number of motor vehicles consumes huge amounts of finite petrol energy and emits large amounts of gases that are harmful to the atmosphere and the natural environment. Therefore, the current road transport network is not a sustainable form of public transport for the future. In order to seek a suitable transportation mode, the Infrastructure and Engineering Business Unit of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) did some feasibility studies about light rail transit (LRT) from 1984 to 1988. The NMBM-report (1988: 8) concluded that a LRT system would provide the most suitable and primary mode to serve Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). Although LRT was regarded as the most suitable primary mode of transport at that time (1988), further studies that were reported in 2006 recommended an alternative public transportation system. This research refers to these studies done for the NMB area and other studies and reports for other areas, but focus on the identification of the most suitable civil engineering components for a conceptual elevated light rail transit (ELRT) model. Electrical driven LRT systems have advantages over internal-combustion driven vehicles in terms of environmental protection. Traditional LRT systems are at ground level and are integrated with the existing road network. Some successful LRT systems indicate that the success of LRT systems is mainly dependent on integration with the existing road network. However, the integration of road transport systems with LRT systems cause increased congestion and accidents. An ELRT system can solve these problems. Bangkok has already built an ELRT system to solve its severe traffic congestion. 4 In order to develop a conceptual ELRT model, this research aimed to determine the most suitable civil engineering components for a conceptual ELRT model, including: (i) the most suitable type of bridge foundation; (ii) the most suitable type bridge girder; (iii) the most suitable type of sleeper; and (iv) whether the track should be a ballasted or non-ballasted type. The grounded theory approach was adopted to build up sets of data from which the most suitable components could be selected. In addition, design analyses were done of the various types of components to determine their suitability for a conceptual ELRT model. Experienced engineers and experts were also consulted to identify the most suitable components. After analyses and selection of the most suitable components, outstanding experts were approached to evaluate the components that showed up as the most suitable through the research. The research results indicated that bored and cast-in-place piles, a double-cell trapezoidal segmental box girder, and twin-block sleepers on a non-ballasted sleeper bed are the most suitable civil engineering components.

This study investigates the concessioning of the commuter rail subsystem, which was discussed in the White Paper on National Transport Policy. The theoretical divide between private and public sector enterprise is investigated in terms of a principal-agent approach. The hypothesis underlying the fundamental shift of services traditionally provided by government enterprise to the private sector is X-efficiency gains under a concession regime. There are, however, potential challenges under a concession regime that must be anticipated. Challenges are identified in terms of an incomplete contract approach with its underpinning source manifested in a bounded rationality concept. The study investigates how rail concessionaires are regulated under a concession regime from an economics perspective and various price mechanisms are explored. The study provides strategies to deal with challenges under a rail concession regime with a view to minimising conflicts that will arise between the parties involved in a concession agreement. / Transport, Logistics & Tourism / M.Comm.(Transport Economics)