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Discussions and considerations around nationalisation of the mining sector in South became more prevalent from 2009. There are certain implications or consequences related to these discussions, considerations or decisions that should be taken into account. The purpose of this study will be to determine what these consequences may be in a South African context by making inference from historic cases of nationalisation in other countries as well as testing the perceptions of respondents from a gold mine. In order to achieve the purpose of this study the researcher will do an in-depth literature study on the concept, history, consequences and related aspects of nationalisation. The perceived consequences will be tested by doing an empirical study on a sample of a gold mine. An online questionnaire has been distributed to the selected sample. The results have been collected by the researcher and was analysed by the Statistical Consultation Services at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). Conclusions have been drawn from the analysed data and are reflected in the document. The results from the empirical study confirmed in most cases what the literature study has identified. The conclusions and recommendations have been provided by the researcher after taking into account the results of the literature and empirical study. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

This mini-dissertation investigates the influence that an outcome-based remuneration scheme can have on productivity in the financial sector. It focuses on four dimensions that were used to determine if productivity levels could be affected; all of these four dimensions could be linked back to the performance of the employee and employer. The four dimensions were units produced, overtime, absenteeism and till cash up which speaks to the quality of transactions that were processed. When these four dimensions were tested statistically the results tended to suggest that there is a positive association with productivity and an outcome-based remuneration scheme. This simply means that an outcome-based remuneration scheme increases productivity levels in the workplace, more specifically in the financial sector; the literature review also supports this statement. The study also deals briefly with the advantages and disadvantages of a pay for performance scheme as well as when designing a pay for performance scheme what are the key design elements. It also briefly touches on the implementation of such a scheme, whether pay for performance is sustainable over a period of time and what are the most common types of pay for performance schemes. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Research is undertaken into the correlation between shared values and organisational performance. The issue of commitment continuity as a pre-requisite for improved financial and operational performance is investigated in detail. Emphasis is placed on the theories and nature of growth and sustainability; sustainable change within the organisation; and employee commitment emphasising aligned commitment as well as elements constituting the aligned commitment equation. The role of management has been identified as a determining factor that underlies the commitment of employees in an organisation. It is found that organisations should change their definition of “growth” from actual profits to the management of talent within the organisation in order to realise the benefits of sustained commitment. Literature studies into concepts such as shared values and shared vision and how these concepts can be inculcated into organisations through the implementation of effective change management processes is done. Should these concepts be universally accepted throughout the organisation, it will lead to organisational commitment which will eventually evolve into a commitment continuum. The presence of a commitment continuum will inevitably lead to the achievement of sustainable growth and a high performance culture within the organisation. To ensure the process is credible it should at all times adhere to both the spirit and letter of prevailing legislation and regulation as well as accepted norms of good practice. The impact that the concepts such as Knowledge, Information, Empowerment, Performance Strengthening and Shared Values have on the attainment of aligned commitment was examined. Also discussed were the comparisons between the South African and Namibian operations of the financial organisation. This research study was approached from a human perspective and should contribute towards the attainment of a commitment continuum within the organisation, through the aforementioned concept, with specific focus on Shared Values. The study includes both literature and empirical research. The study covers a numbers of disciplines that, when seen together, provides better understanding as how these constructs interact with one another in the attainment of sustained commitment and the presence of a commitment continuum. This, in turn, will lead to improved financial performance on the part of the organisation. The study has practical value in the sense that the newly adapted questionnaire and equation framework should enable organisations to measure the degree to which the influential constructs contributing to aligned commitment, already exist. The results show that a commitment continuum can be established in the financial services sector through aligned organisational commitment, the introduction and development of a shared values system and the establishment and acceptance of a shared vision. Coupled with organisational commitment, this will furthermore lead to growth and sustainability and a high performance culture being attained within the organisation. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Discussions and considerations around nationalisation of the mining sector in South became more prevalent from 2009. There are certain implications or consequences related to these discussions, considerations or decisions that should be taken into account. The purpose of this study will be to determine what these consequences may be in a South African context by making inference from historic cases of nationalisation in other countries as well as testing the perceptions of respondents from a gold mine. In order to achieve the purpose of this study the researcher will do an in-depth literature study on the concept, history, consequences and related aspects of nationalisation. The perceived consequences will be tested by doing an empirical study on a sample of a gold mine. An online questionnaire has been distributed to the selected sample. The results have been collected by the researcher and was analysed by the Statistical Consultation Services at the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus). Conclusions have been drawn from the analysed data and are reflected in the document. The results from the empirical study confirmed in most cases what the literature study has identified. The conclusions and recommendations have been provided by the researcher after taking into account the results of the literature and empirical study. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

This mini-dissertation investigates the influence that an outcome-based remuneration scheme can have on productivity in the financial sector. It focuses on four dimensions that were used to determine if productivity levels could be affected; all of these four dimensions could be linked back to the performance of the employee and employer. The four dimensions were units produced, overtime, absenteeism and till cash up which speaks to the quality of transactions that were processed. When these four dimensions were tested statistically the results tended to suggest that there is a positive association with productivity and an outcome-based remuneration scheme. This simply means that an outcome-based remuneration scheme increases productivity levels in the workplace, more specifically in the financial sector; the literature review also supports this statement. The study also deals briefly with the advantages and disadvantages of a pay for performance scheme as well as when designing a pay for performance scheme what are the key design elements. It also briefly touches on the implementation of such a scheme, whether pay for performance is sustainable over a period of time and what are the most common types of pay for performance schemes. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The history of alcohol in South Africa forms a fundamental part of the history of apartheid and isolation. Conflict has long surrounded the production, distribution and use of alcohol and this continues even today, although in traditional African society the use of alcoholic beverages was well regulated. Drinking served a communal and ceremonial purpose. After colonisation, the British in vain prohibited the use of alcohol by Africans in an attempt to prevent what they saw as the social decay and disorder encouraged by its use. Laws were passed to make it illegal for black Africans to produce and obtain liquor. Only in 1962 was it made legal for black people to purchase alcohol from white liquor outlets. In the townships municipal beer halls were established by local authorities to help finance township development and control. Many people turned to illegal liquor-related activities, both brewing traditional African beer and setting up illegal outlets (called shebeens) where liquor was sold for on-site or off-site consumption purposes. Most shebeens are part of or attached to residential premises. For some, setting up a shebeen was a move of rebelliousness against the policies of the apartheid government that restricted business opportunities to a particular segment of society. For others it was a way of making an adequate living and a means of providing recreational facilities in townships. The establishment of shebeens was also a natural response to a situation in which there were 15 times as many legal liquor outlets per unit of population in former white suburbs than in suburbs in which persons of other races resided. The shebeen problem is an inheritance of our apartheid past and cannot be allowed to linger on indefinitely. Formalisation of this activity will lead to better services and increased competitiveness in the industry and will marginalise unlicensed traders who have no intention of complying with the law. It is therefore clear that the current deadlock can only be addressed through the transformation of unlicensed businesses into formal businesses. The Government recognises the diverse nature of the liquor industry in the provinces and values the importance of its diverse aspects as a contributor to the economy of South Africa. The first objective of the Liquor Act is to make it possible for bona fide unlicensed traders in the historically disadvantaged communities to legitimise their businesses without encountering unnecessary barriers to entry but, also, to create an environment that will encourage them to do so. It is however a reality that the existing situation the unlicensed trader finds him or herself in provides little incentive to enter into the legal trade and such a person is not aware of possible economic factors impacting on this business after formalisation. In the West Rand an extremely small percentage of outlets in the historically disadvantaged townships are licensed. There are however factors that influence the shebeens' move from unlicensed to licensed businesses. The government has certain objectives and the new environment can be painted to describe new areas of impact on shebeens, such as legislative compliance, complexity of the application and approval process and restrictions, and a shortage of resources to assist the process. A lack of resources limits the ability of the law enforcement agencies to act in a consistent manner against unlicensed sellers of liquor. Operations by law enforcement agencies are irregular and depend to a large extent on the analysis of the crime threat that a particular unlicensed establishment presents to the area and their priorities regarding the allocation of resources. The unlicensed sale of liquor continues largely unabated and with little fear of consequences. The unlicensed trader, unlike his or her licensed counterpart, does not form part of the tax network. The unlicensed trader falls outside the regulatory network as far as land use requirements, trading hours and restrictions are concerned. The limited availability of resources prevents the allocation of financial incentives that in any event cannot compete with the aforesaid sustained trading advantages that the unlicensed trade provides. Providing an enabling environment for the emerging traders is an issue partly determined by the municipal planning authorities. A dilemma that is facing planning and licensing authorities encompasses the divergent interests of the currently unlicensed shebeens in residential areas and the interests of the surrounding residents. The involvement of communities determines the location of licensed liquor outlets. Factors affecting their impact include direct dealing with suppliers, people management (labour law), commercial competencies and business compliances such as tax, value added tax, stock management and community complaints. This research will look at the business environment and all aspects impacting the process and playing field in becoming formalised. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

This social work research study explores whether members of the legal profession are aware of the unique characteristics of a child witness that one must take cognisance of when interviewing them. This is explored by means of a questionnaire to determine if and what training needs exist with members of the legal sector with regards to the child witness. The following themes were identified from the questionnaire where members of the legal profession require further training on: child development, children's language development, children's normal sexual development, process of disclosure in sexual abuse, interviewing skills, rapport building skills, minimum age for testifying, factors determining credibility of the child witness, children's statements and report of events, truth vs. lie testing and interview protocols. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The history of alcohol in South Africa forms a fundamental part of the history of apartheid and isolation. Conflict has long surrounded the production, distribution and use of alcohol and this continues even today, although in traditional African society the use of alcoholic beverages was well regulated. Drinking served a communal and ceremonial purpose. After colonisation, the British in vain prohibited the use of alcohol by Africans in an attempt to prevent what they saw as the social decay and disorder encouraged by its use. Laws were passed to make it illegal for black Africans to produce and obtain liquor. Only in 1962 was it made legal for black people to purchase alcohol from white liquor outlets. In the townships municipal beer halls were established by local authorities to help finance township development and control. Many people turned to illegal liquor-related activities, both brewing traditional African beer and setting up illegal outlets (called shebeens) where liquor was sold for on-site or off-site consumption purposes. Most shebeens are part of or attached to residential premises. For some, setting up a shebeen was a move of rebelliousness against the policies of the apartheid government that restricted business opportunities to a particular segment of society. For others it was a way of making an adequate living and a means of providing recreational facilities in townships. The establishment of shebeens was also a natural response to a situation in which there were 15 times as many legal liquor outlets per unit of population in former white suburbs than in suburbs in which persons of other races resided. The shebeen problem is an inheritance of our apartheid past and cannot be allowed to linger on indefinitely. Formalisation of this activity will lead to better services and increased competitiveness in the industry and will marginalise unlicensed traders who have no intention of complying with the law. It is therefore clear that the current deadlock can only be addressed through the transformation of unlicensed businesses into formal businesses. The Government recognises the diverse nature of the liquor industry in the provinces and values the importance of its diverse aspects as a contributor to the economy of South Africa. The first objective of the Liquor Act is to make it possible for bona fide unlicensed traders in the historically disadvantaged communities to legitimise their businesses without encountering unnecessary barriers to entry but, also, to create an environment that will encourage them to do so. It is however a reality that the existing situation the unlicensed trader finds him or herself in provides little incentive to enter into the legal trade and such a person is not aware of possible economic factors impacting on this business after formalisation. In the West Rand an extremely small percentage of outlets in the historically disadvantaged townships are licensed. There are however factors that influence the shebeens' move from unlicensed to licensed businesses. The government has certain objectives and the new environment can be painted to describe new areas of impact on shebeens, such as legislative compliance, complexity of the application and approval process and restrictions, and a shortage of resources to assist the process. A lack of resources limits the ability of the law enforcement agencies to act in a consistent manner against unlicensed sellers of liquor. Operations by law enforcement agencies are irregular and depend to a large extent on the analysis of the crime threat that a particular unlicensed establishment presents to the area and their priorities regarding the allocation of resources. The unlicensed sale of liquor continues largely unabated and with little fear of consequences. The unlicensed trader, unlike his or her licensed counterpart, does not form part of the tax network. The unlicensed trader falls outside the regulatory network as far as land use requirements, trading hours and restrictions are concerned. The limited availability of resources prevents the allocation of financial incentives that in any event cannot compete with the aforesaid sustained trading advantages that the unlicensed trade provides. Providing an enabling environment for the emerging traders is an issue partly determined by the municipal planning authorities. A dilemma that is facing planning and licensing authorities encompasses the divergent interests of the currently unlicensed shebeens in residential areas and the interests of the surrounding residents. The involvement of communities determines the location of licensed liquor outlets. Factors affecting their impact include direct dealing with suppliers, people management (labour law), commercial competencies and business compliances such as tax, value added tax, stock management and community complaints. This research will look at the business environment and all aspects impacting the process and playing field in becoming formalised. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

This social work research study explores whether members of the legal profession are aware of the unique characteristics of a child witness that one must take cognisance of when interviewing them. This is explored by means of a questionnaire to determine if and what training needs exist with members of the legal sector with regards to the child witness. The following themes were identified from the questionnaire where members of the legal profession require further training on: child development, children's language development, children's normal sexual development, process of disclosure in sexual abuse, interviewing skills, rapport building skills, minimum age for testifying, factors determining credibility of the child witness, children's statements and report of events, truth vs. lie testing and interview protocols. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.