Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: When business adopts sustainability, leaders, sustainability practitioners and employees experience tensions. Unless the root causes of such tensions are identified, understood and discussed, barriers that developed over time will significantly affect the rate of business transformation in building a sustainable future for both business and society at large. This thesis then aims to identify the root causes of tensions that arise in the process of sustainability adoption in business. The outcomes of the research highlight the process of organisational and systemic change required in business, and the need for organisational culture and values to align to the values of sustainability. The lack of adaptive leadership skills in business causes tension as a fundamental requirement of sustainability is transformation. Sustainability challenges the ethics of decisions made in business and thereby creates significant tension. Leaders and employees alike are faced with decisions that require careful consideration in order to ensure that the consequences of those decisions do not result in unintended consequences that impact negatively on society and the environment. Systemic complexity, where capitalism defines the rules within which businesses operate and are being measured, creates tension, as these rules often contradict the values of sustainability. Employees and leaders in business experience tension, as they have to face the dichotomy between values and profit imperatives. This results in an ethical dilemma for business. The current consumer culture, upon which retailers rely significantly for income, requires the extraction of raw materials and the use of energy, water, oil and chemicals for production purposes. This dependency is concerning, as price volatility as a result of the demand and supply fluctuations, affect the retailer price structures. If these resources were to be priced, based on the true cost to the environment, prices will increase, leaving retailers with no option but to increase sales prices. The scale and depth of change, as well as When business adopts sustainability, leaders, sustainability practitioners and employees experience tensions. Unless the root causes of such tensions are identified, understood and discussed, barriers that developed over time will significantly affect the rate of business transformation in building a sustainable future for both business and society at large. This thesis then aims to identify the root causes of tensions that arise in the process of sustainability adoption in business. The outcomes of the research highlight the process of organisational and systemic change required in business, and the need for organisational culture and values to align to the values of sustainability. The lack of adaptive leadership skills in business causes tension as a fundamental requirement of sustainability is transformation. Sustainability challenges the ethics of decisions made in business and thereby creates significant tension. Leaders and employees alike are faced with decisions that require careful consideration in order to ensure that the consequences of those decisions do not result in unintended consequences that impact negatively on society and the environment. Systemic complexity, where capitalism defines the rules within which businesses operate and are being measured, creates tension, as these rules often contradict the values of sustainability. Employees and leaders in business experience tension, as they have to face the dichotomy between values and profit imperatives. This results in an ethical dilemma for business. The current consumer culture, upon which retailers rely significantly for income, requires the extraction of raw materials and the use of energy, water, oil and chemicals for production purposes. This dependency is concerning, as price volatility as a result of the demand and supply fluctuations, affect the retailer price structures. If these resources were to be priced, based on the true cost to the environment, prices will increase, leaving retailers with no option but to increase sales prices. The scale and depth of change, as well asWhen business adopts sustainability, leaders, sustainability practitioners and employees experience tensions. Unless the root causes of such tensions are identified, understood and discussed, barriers that developed over time will significantly affect the rate of business transformation in building a sustainable future for both business and society at large. This thesis then aims to identify the root causes of tensions that arise in the process of sustainability adoption in business. The outcomes of the research highlight the process of organisational and systemic change required in business, and the need for organisational culture and values to align to the values of sustainability. The lack of adaptive leadership skills in business causes tension as a fundamental requirement of sustainability is transformation. Sustainability challenges the ethics of decisions made in business and thereby creates significant tension. Leaders and employees alike are faced with decisions that require careful consideration in order to ensure that the consequences of those decisions do not result in unintended consequences that impact negatively on society and the environment. Systemic complexity, where capitalism defines the rules within which businesses operate and are being measured, creates tension, as these rules often contradict the values of sustainability. Employees and leaders in business experience tension, as they have to face the dichotomy between values and profit imperatives. This results in an ethical dilemma for business. The current consumer culture, upon which retailers rely significantly for income, requires the extraction of raw materials and the use of energy, water, oil and chemicals for production purposes. This dependency is concerning, as price volatility as a result of the demand and supply fluctuations, affect the retailer price structures. If these resources were to be priced, based on the true cost to the environment, prices will increase, leaving retailers with no option but to increase sales prices. The scale and depth of change, as well as the uncertainties that exist within decisions that needs to be made, causes tensions for retailers. Other tensions that arise are the need for meaningful stakeholder engagement, transparency, and a common understanding of what sustainability aims to achieve. Meaningful conversations in business will help define new rules that can be applied to create long-term value for all in society. Employees are more committed to sustainability through intrinsic values as oppose to extrinsic values. Therefore, a values based approach to sustainability adoption will resonate with employees, thereby improving the effect of sustainability integration. Adaptive leaders who are prepared to interrogate current business models are required. This way, different models are developed, that delivers shared value and intergenerational equity to society and the environment.

Thesis (MBA) -- Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The new South African government, following the 1994 first free democratic election, inherited a country torn apart by apartheid, with large portions of the population suffering from social and economic deprivation. A society divided along racial lines with many of these divides supported by State policies. Ten years into South Africa's democracy, apartheid's social and economic legacies remain. The majority of the nearly 45 million South Africans still live in conditions closely resembling those of more than a decade ago. In September 2000 at the United Nations Millennium Summit 150 heads of states committed to a set of objectives, if successfully implemented, would see by 2015 a reduction in poverty, improve lives of the less fortunate and protect environmental resources. These set of objectives, summarized into eight goals, became known as the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. The Eight Millennium Development Goals' fundamental objective is to provide guidelines for the cooperation between rich and poor countries to reach equitable global human development, the eradication of hunger and extreme poverty and the agreed access to healthcare and education for all men, women and children. The eight goals are: • Goal one: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger • Goal two: Achieve universal primary education • Goal three: Promote gender equality and empower women • Goal four: Reduce child mortality • Goal five: Improve maternal health • Goal six: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases • Goal seven: Ensure environmental sustainability • Goal eight: Develop a global partnership for development. The South African Government, being a signatory to these eight goals was not only faced with addressing the social and economic imbalances it inherited. The Government was faced with the challenge of put processes and polices in place that would address its internal issues and find ways of improving the lives of the less fortunate in accordance with the eight millennium development goals. The South African government, through becoming a signatory to the goals, has given its commitment to achieving these eight goals within the designated timeframes. The underlying assumption in this research project is that Government alone cannot succeed in achieving these eight goals within the required timeframes. Former president Nelson Mandela, when commenting on corporate social responsibility, stated that if the Government's Reconstruction and Development program was to be successful. South African business was needed to realize this goal. The main purpose of this research project is to get an overview of the Corporate Social Investment strategies implemented by the top 100 listed companies in South Africa and to determine if these strategies to will place South Africa in a position to successfully meet the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by 2015. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die nuwe Suid-Afrikaanse regering wat aan bewind gekom het na die eerste vrye demokratiese verkiesing in 1994 het 'n land geerf wat deur apartheid uitmekaar geskeur is en waarin groot gedeeltes van die bevolking onder 'n sasiale en ekonomiese agterstand gebuk gegaan het. Die samelewing was op rassegrondslag verdeel en baie van die verdelings is deur regeringsbeleid ondersteun. Na tien jaar van demokrasie in Suid-Afrika bly die sasiale en ekonomiese erfenis van apartheid steeds staan. Die meerderheid van die byna 45 miljoen Suid-Afrikaners leef steeds in omstandighede wat baie dieselfde is as die van meer as 'n dekade gelede. Tydens die Verenigde Nasies sa Millenniumspitsberaad in September 2000 het 150 staatshoofde hulself verbind tot 'n stel doelwitle. As hierdie doelwitte suksesvol ge'r'mplementeer sou word, sou dit teen 2015 'n afname in armoede teweegbring, die lewens van minderbevoorregtes verbeter en omgewingshulpbronne beskerm. Hierdie stel doelwitte, opgesom as agt punte, staan bekend as die Verenigde Nasies se Millenniumontwikkelingsdoelwitte. Die basiese uitgangspunt van die agt Millenniumontwikkelingsdoelwitte is om riglyne daar te stel vir die samewerking tussen ryk en arm lande met die oog op die bereiking van gelyke menslike ontwikkeling wereldwyd, die uitwissing van honger en die uiterste armoede, en die ooreengekome toegang tot gesondheidsorg en opvoeding vir aile mans, vroue en kinders. Die agt doelwitte is: • Doelwit een: Uitwissing van uiterste armoede en honger • DoeJwit twee: Daarstelling van universele primere onderwys • Doelwit drie: Bevordering van geslagsgelykheid en bemagtiging van vroue • Doelwit vier: Vermindering van kindersterftes • Doelwit vyf: Verbetering van moedergesondheid • Doelwit ses: Bestryding van MIVNIGS, malaria en ander siektes • Doelwit sewe: Versekering van omgewingsvolhoubaarheid • Doelwit agt: Ontwikkeling van 'n wereldwye vennootskap vir ontwikkeling. Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering, as ondertekenaar van hierdie agt doelwitte, moes nie aileen die sasiale en ekonomiese wanbalanse wat hulle geerf het, uit die weg ruim nie. Die regering het oak te staan gekom voar die uitdaging om prosesse en beleid daar te stel wat interne probleme sou oplos en om maniere te vind om die [ewens van die minderbevoorregtes te verbeter ooreenkomstig die agt Millennium-ontwikkelingsdoelwitte. As ondertekenaar van hierdie doelwitte het die Suid-Afrikaanse regering homself verbind tot die bereiking van hierdie agt doelwilte binne die ooreengekome tyd. Die onderliggende aanname in hierdie navorsingsprojek is dat die regering aileen nie binne die vereiste tyd hierdie a9t doelwitte suksesvol kan bereik nie. Voormalige president Nelson Mandela het in kommentaar op korporatiewe maatskaplike verantwoordelikheid daarop gewys dat die Suid-Afrikaanse sakesektor noodsaaklik is vir die suksesvolle bereiking van die doelwitte in die regering se program van Heropbou en Ontwikkeling. Die hoofdoel van hierdie navorsingsprojek is am 'n oorsig te kry oar die korporatiewe maatskaplike beleggingstrategiee van die boonste 100 genoteerde maatskappye in SuidAfrika en om te bepaal of hierdie strategiee Suid-Afrika in 'n posisie sal plaas am die Verenigde Nasies se Millenniumontwikkelingsdoelwitte teen 2015 suksesvol te bereik.

Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Graduate School of Business. / Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The World Commission of Environment and Development defines sustainability as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This statement forms the basis on which the study of sustain ability and sustainable development is built. The importance and impact of this statement was only accepted some half a century ago although the main cause for this statement, capitalism, is still the foundation of many economic systems today which has been in existence since almost three centuries ago. The original approach to sustainable development was obligatory acceptance of cleaning up excessive pollution. The culprits were heavy industries which had a direct dependence on natural resources and were directly responsible for excessive pollution. From this approach, sustainable development evolved to pollution prevention and later a sustainable vision through clean technologies. This evolution is described by the Sustainable Value Framework formulated by Stuart L. Hart. Since the 1990's light industries as well as indirect polluters and users of resources also acknowledged and accepted the call to sustainable development. This study addresses the promotion of sustainable development in South African ICT organisations through the definition of a corporate sustainable development programme (CSDP). The sustainable development performance of an organisation can be determined by assessment of the specific measuring instruments and available reporting on the subject. The most relevant measuring instruments for ICT organisations were identified as: the GRI G3 guidelines, the King II Report and the JSE / SRI Index with the GeSI as the appropriate body governing the ICT sector's sustainable development performance. An analysis of sustainable development reporting of South African ICT organisations, based on these measuring instruments, revealed the suitability of these instruments to gauge the triple bottom line objectives of sustainable development. As the triple bottom line objectives form part of the foundation of a CSDP the identified measurement instruments can in part be used to report on CSDP performance. This research report suggests that the triple bottom line measurement is not sufficient to measure the effectiveness of a CSDP as an effective CSDP requires integration into the business plan and strategy of an organisation. Measurement of the extent of business plan and strategy integration is therefore required. The ICT sector must accept the significance of the indirect and cross-sector roles in sustainable development and incorporate this as part of a CSDP. The ICT sector contributes mostly by enabling cross-sector sustainable development initiatives such as the slowing down of climate change. Furthermore, an leT organisation should employ its corporate governance framework to implement an integrated CSDP plan. Within the South African context of sustainable development a CSDP must consider the accelerated growth and transformation objectives while maintaining sustainable development objectives. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Wereld Kommissie van Omgewingsake en Ontwikkeling definieer volhoudbaarheid as "bevrediging van die behoeftes van die huidige sonder om die foekomsfige generasie se vermoe om hul behoeftes fe bevredig fe kompromiseer." Hierdie stelling vorm die basis van die studie oor volhoudbaarheid en volhoudbare ontwikkeling. Die belangrikheid en impak van hierdie stelling is eers ongeveer 'n halwe eeu gelede aanvaar terwyl die hoofoorsaak vir die stelling, kapitalisme, steeds die basis vorrn van vele ekonomiese stelsels vandag wat sedert ongeveer drie eeue gelede bestaan. Die oorspronklike benadering tot volhoudbare ontwikkeling het behels die aanvaarding van die verpligting om besoedeling skoon te maak. Die oortreders was swaar industrie wie direk van natuurlike hulpbronne afhanklik was en wie direk verantwoordelik was vir oormatige besoedeling. Hierdie benadering het ontwikkel tot besoedelingsvoorkoming and later 'n volhoudbare strategie wat gebasseer word op skoon tegnologie. Hierdie ontwikkeling word beskryf in die Volhoudbare Waarde Raamwerk wat deur Stuart L. Hart geformuleer is. Sedert die 1990's het die ligte industri!! en ook die indirekte besoedelaars en gerbruikers van natuurlike bronne die raep na volhoudbare ontwikkeling erken en aanvaar. Hierdie stu die spreek die bevordering van volhoudbare ontwikkeling in Suid Afrikaanse informasie en kommunikasie tegnologie (IKT) organisasies aan , deur middel van die definisie van 'n korporatiewe volhoudbare ontwikkelingsprogram (KVOP). 'n Organisasie se vertoning ten opsigte van volhoudbare ontwikkeling kan bepaal word deur na die spesfieke meetinstrumente en beskikbare verslaggewing random die onderwerp te kyk. Die mees relevante metingsinstrumente vir IKT organisasies is vasgestel as: die GRI G3 riglyne, die King II Verslag en die JSE I SRI Indeks met die GeSI as die aangewese organisasie wat die IKT sektor se volhoudbare ontwikkeling bestuur. 'n Analise van die volhoudbare ontwikkeling verslaggewing in Suid Afrikaanse IKT organisasies, gebasseer op die genoemde meetingsinstrumente, wys die toepaslikheid van hierdie meetingsinstrumente om die prestasie op die drievoudige bodemlyndoelwitte van volhoudbare ontwikkeling aan te duL Hierdie doelwitte maak ook deel uit van 'n KVOP. In hierdie navorsingsverslag word die veronderstelling gemaak dat die drievoudige bodemlynmeeting nie aileen voldoende is om die effektiewiteit van 'n KVOP te bepaal nie, aangesien 'n effektiewe KVOP die integrasie in die besigheidsplan en strategie van 'n organisasie behels. Meeting van die streking van besigheidsplan en strategie is ook dus nodig. Die IKT sektor moet die belangrikheid aanvaar van indirekte en kruissektor rol in volhoudbare ontwikkeling en dit as dee I van 'n KVOP inkorporeer. Die IKT sektor dra die meeste by tot volhoudbare ontwikkeling deur ander sektore in staat te stel om volhoudbare ontwikkeling inisiatiewe te beaefen soos byvoorbeeld die vertraging van klimaatsverandering. Verder, 'n IKT organisasie moet die korporatiewe bestuursraamwerk gebruik as die implementeringsplatvorm vir 'n ge·integreerde KVOP. Binne die Suid Afrikaanse konteks van volhoudbare ontwikkeling moet 'n KVOP ook die versnelde groei en transformasie doelwitte in ag neem terwyl volhoudbare ontwikkelingsdoelwitte onderhou word.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The world has seen a wave of globalization since the demise of communism in East Europe in the late 19805, unimaginable a generation ago. A new world order has emerged, driven by a renewed trust in the free market ideology, and largely shaped by global corporations and international trade. Moreover, new technologies and instant communication have the potential to redefine peoples' life, at work and at home. Modern business has experienced dramatic and often turbulent changes in the global arena too, presenting ongoing challenges to managers as well as the ability to think and act globally. Although some companies and nations may have benefited from this scenario, other sections of the global community did not. In a world where starvation and poverty are part of the daily existence of millions of people across the globe, there is a growing concern about the direction of globalization. Over the past few years, meetings of leaders from industrialized nations and international governmental organizations have often been marked by protest actions against the growing socio-economic disparity between developed and developing nations. While world leaders across the spectrum continue their efforts to find solutions for unstable financial systems and an unequal global trade regime that generates intense political tensions, global corporations often find themselves at the centre of these debates. But there is a growing acceptance among the business community that they too have to find solutions for socia-economic and other ethical issues. Not surprisingly, though, since the business implications of these issues are best understood by business leaders. For some time now, academics and corporate managers have studied the changing role of business in society, accepting the notion that modem business does not operate in isolation. Although corporations are still allowed to generate a return on investment, more and more emphasis is now being placed on their responsibilities with regard to society and the environment in which they operate. There is also a growing acceptance that global corporations cannot continue to benefit from open global trade without acknowledging - and responding to - their social responsibilities. It comes as no surprise then to note that the Utriple bottom line ~ concept receives increased attention in company reports across the globe. Some multinational companies go even fu rther by publishing sustainable development reports, which publicly disclose their performances with regard to issues which are of concern to society and the environment. By doing so, those businesses admit that they are in fact global corporate citizens, with an unconditional commitment to behave like any other responsible citizen. Although good governance, business ethics, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development are all important for responsible corporate citizenship, managers need to value the strategic benefits of corporate citizenship. A strategic approach to corporate citizenship also suggests a need for a corporate citizenship model. The challenge for corporate managers, though, is to ensure that their corporate citizenship models are strategically aligned with their business models. A proper fit between these two models could then serve as an important building block with regard to the development of corporate strategies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sedert die verval van kommunisme in Oos-Europa in die laat 1980s, het die wereld 'n golf van globalisering ervaar wat 'n generasie gelede ondenkbaar was. 'n Nuwe wereldorde het verskyn, gedryf deur 'n hernude vertroue in die vrye mark ideologie, en grootliks gevorm deur globale ondernemings en internasionale handel. Voorts het nuwe tegnologiee en intydse kommunikasie die potensiaal om mense se lewens by die werk en tuis te verander. Moderne besigheid het ook 'n dramatiese en soms turbulente verandering in die globale arena ondervind, wat deurlopende uitdagings aan bestuurders stel sowel as die vermoë om globaal te dink en op te tree. Alhoewel sommige maatskappye en nasies wel voordeel kon verkry met hierdie scenario, het ander gedeeltes van die globale gemeenskap nie. In 'n wereld waar hongersnood en armoede deel is van die daaglikse bestaan van miljoene mense oor die aarde, is daar groeiende kommer oor die rigting waarin globalisering beweeg. Vergaderings van leiers van nywerheidslande en internasionale owerheidsinstellings is die afgelope aantal jare telkens gekenmerk deur protesaksies teen die groeiende sosioekonomiese gaping tussen ontwikkelde en ontwikkelende nasies. Terwyl wereldleiers oor die die hele spektrum voortgaan met hul pogings om oplossings te vind vir onstabiele finansiele stelsels en 'n ongelyke globale handelsbewind wat intense politieke spanninge skep, bevind globale ondernemings hulself dikwels sentraal in hierdie debatte. Daar is egter 'n groeiende aanvaarding onder die sakegemeenskap dat ook hulle oplossings behoort te vind vir sosio-ekonomiese en ander etiese sake. Dit is egter nie verrassend nie, aangesien sakeleiers die besigheidsimplikasies van hierdie sake die beste begryp. Reeds vir 'n geruime tyd word die veranderende rol van besigheid in die gemeenskap deur akademici en korporatiewe bestuurders bestudeer, met aanvaarding van die siening dat moderne sake nie in isolasie funksioneer nie. Ofskoon ondernemings steeds toegelaat word om 'n opbrengs op belegging te genereer, word meer en meer klem geplaas op hul verantwoordelikhede ten opsigte van die gemeenskap en die omgewing waarbinne hulle funksioneer. Daar is ook 'n groeiende aanvaarding dat globale ondernemings nie kan aanhou om voordeel te verkry uit internasional handel sonder erkenning van - en reaksie op - hul sosiale verantwoordelikhede nie. Dit kon dus as geen verrassing nie om kennis te neem dat die "drieledige basislyn" konsep toenemend aandag geniet in maatskappyverslae dwarsoor die wereld. Sommige multinasionale maatskappye gaan selfs verder deur die publisering van volhoubare ontwikkelingsverslae wat hul vertoning openbaar ten opsigte van sake wat van belang is vir die gemeenskap. Daardeur erken daardie besighede dat hulle in werklikheid globale korporatiewe burgers is, met die onvoorwaardelike onderneming om soos enige ander verantwoordelike burger op te tree. Alhoewel goeie regering, besigheidsetiek, korporatiewe sosiale verantwoordelikheid en volhoubare ontwikkeling almal belangrik is vir verantwoordelike korporatiewe burgerskap, behoort bestuurders die strategiese voordele van korporatiewe burgerskap te waardeer. 'n Strategiese benadering tot korporatiewe burgerskap impliseer ook 'n behoefte vir 'n korporatiewe burgerskapmodel. Die uitdaging vir korporatiewe bestuurders is egter om te verseker dat hul korporatiewe burgerskapmodelle strategies in Iyn is met hul sakemodelle. 'n Behoorlike passing van hierdie twee modelle kan dan dien as 'n belangrike bousteen met betrekking tot die ontwikkeling van korporatiewe strategie. / cmc2013

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / Corporate environmental responsibility has engaged the attention of academics, practitioners and environmentalists for some time, creating pressure for companies to conduct business in an environmentally greener manner. To find economic support for such conduct by South African companies, this study aims to investigate whether superior environmental performance by South African listed companies leads to superior financial performance. A review of related literature identified significant diversity in research approach and methodology as well as environmental and financial performance measures employed and therefore also in the results obtained. Given the continuing emergence of climate change as a material issue for business, this study utilised South African Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI SA) ratings as proxy for South African companies’ environmental performance. The infancy of the Carbon Disclosure Project in South Africa does result in some data limitations which necessitated a portfolio approach to address the research question. This approach, however, prevented explicit consideration or judgement on the direction of causality between environmental and financial variables. The environmental performance data limitations and the resulting need for some assumptions resulted in this study being explorative in nature. Using CDLI SA ratings as distinguishing environmental performance characteristic, industrymatching, mutually-exclusive stock portfolios were constructed. Relative portfolio performance was measured with reference to the Sharpe and Treynor ratios and a simple statistical test. Considering the three years 2008 to 2010, the Sharpe and Treynor ratios for Environmental Leaders and Laggards portfolios did not clearly identify either Environmental Leaders or Environmental Laggards as superior financial performers and results also varied across industries. There appears to be some trend emerging which sees Environmental Leaders outperforming Environmental Laggards in more recent years for some industries, however, the short time frame under consideration provided insufficient support for such conclusion. Statistical means testing concluded that the mean returns of Environmental Leaders and Environmental Laggards are similar. Sensitivity analysis performed on the Financials sector indicated that the Sharpe and Treynor ratios are sensitive to portfolio construction. Despite this sensitivity, statistical means testing consistently found little evidence to infer that the mean returns of Environmental Leaders portfolios are either higher or lower than that of Environmental Laggards portfolios. It is suggested that the similar performance of the Environmental Leaders and Environmental Laggards portfolios may be attributed to the use of an environmental performance measure unable to sufficiently distinguish between environmental leaders and environmental laggards. Another interpretation of the results could be that investors consider disclosure-based environmental performance measures as unreliable, or less reliable as compared with outcome-based or combined measures. Finally, it may be that investors’ expectations have not yet been adjusted to reflect the fact that climate change constitutes a materiality issue for business in the long run, which will require companies to actively manage carbon risks. Although there exists voluminous international research on the topic of this study, South African research in this regard is restricted. This study adds to the existing body of South African specific research, but is only explorative in nature; therefore areas for future research have been recommended.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / This exercise aimed at developing a sustainable supply chain strategy that was adopted by Exxaro Resources (Pty) Ltd. The focus of the approach was to assess the status of Exxaro’s supply chain sustainability compared to that of competitors operating in South Africa and the supply chain dimensions applicable to Exxaro’s scope (i.e. green inventory management, green warehouse/storage management, sustainable procurement or sourcing, sustainable supplier management and sustainable transport/business travelling). The strategy framework used includes a review of supply chain sustainability relating to Exxaro and the requirements thereof, depicting gaps, recommended actions or initiatives to close the gaps, an implementation approach and a schedule. The strategy sets out to distinguish Exxaro in supply chain sustainable development through the setting of guidelines, reporting standards and commitments to economic, labour, human rights as well as social and environmental well-being. The approach envisages collaborating with suppliers and Exxaro’s sustainable development department to continuously improve and embed positive sustainability practices within Exxaro’s supply chain processes. This research report highlights the progress already made with high-level sustainable supply chain management implementation by selected Exxaro competitors, relevant schools of thought and theories with the emphasis on bringing a link to opportunities for Exxaro to progress into supply chain sustainability. The relationship between supply chain practices, environmental performance, social and economic impacts was studied. The mining sector, with its history of negative impacts on societies and the environment, is continuously challenged by the increasing emphasis to demonstrate ethical, social and environmental performance and accountability throughout its business practices. The use of Exxaro as a practical case study limits the extent to which the recommended strategy can be generalised to any mining environment or company. Findings mentioned may be subject to further research by augmenting the scope to include mines operating outside of South Africa or additional mining entities and theories. The approach of the research included empirical studies in the form of in-depth interviews and questionnaire surveys on various internal stakeholders. Some information was obtained from the annual reports of Exxaro and a selected number of South African mining companies that are mining similar products to Exxaro. The data was analysed using statistical methods for social sciences with both qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / The mining industry has had a significant role to play in addressing socio-economic development (SED) issues, such as the high levels of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. For South Africa to be able to eradicate poverty and illiteracy, a collaborative partnership between the government, the mining industry and local mining communities is critical. The Minister of Mineral Resources, Shabangu (2012), has encouraged the mining industry to ensure that corporate social responsibility (CSR) investments make a significant impact on the communities in which the mining companies operate and to stop making CSR a mere exercise in ticking off a scorecard. The Mining Charter states that the mining industry must promote employment and advance social and economic welfare of mining community and the major sending areas. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the Impala Platinum (Implats) CSR programme, Marula Chrome Project, on the Marula community. The challenges that Implats and the Marula community experienced during the implementation of the project were explored. If the project was to be successful, the key success factors had to be identified. The Marula Chrome Project was commissioned in 2010. The Project created 69 job opportunities during its construction period, and 35 permanent jobs after its completion. A number of SED issues were addressed by the project through skills development and training. The community leaders attended an intensive business principles course, covering the basic principles of mining, business skills and corporate governance. The employees of the project also were empowered with relevant operational and management skills. The project had, by the time of the report, paid out dividends to the value of R20 million to the communities. Two community halls had been built with the amount of R4 million. The dividends were distributed to the six Marula communities, who spent the money obtained in this way for addressing such SED problems as infrastructure, education and enterprise development. This project is one of the few examples of CSR initiatives in South Africa. The researcher hopes that other local mining communities can learn what made this project successful. The findings of the projects show that the community and Implats have managed the challenges faced during the project and have focused on the important issues. Collaborative partnership and leadership is one of the key success factors highlighted. Kinnear and Miles (2009) agree that partnerships and local coordination between the mining industry, the government and the community are vital. Positive outcomes can be achieved by means of community‐driven initiatives. According to CSR scholars such as Muthuri (2012), CSR is a potent force for social change and poverty alleviation. The lack of CSR impact evaluation tools required addressing by Implats and the mining industry. The mining industry and the Department of Mineral Resources should work together on developing an evaluation tool by means of which to measure CSR initiatives. Doing so would assist the mining industry CSR investments to add value and to contribute to the eradication of poverty and illiteracy in the local communities.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / There are diverse, however mostly negative views as well as different regulations to adhere to within the tobacco industry. Given the controversy around the tobacco industry and the latest tendency of investors to move to more reputable investments, the research project explored to what extend a tobacco company can adhere to the criteria to be a socially responsible corporate citizen and therefore still attract socially responsible investors. The research identified and discussed the concerns that put the reputation of the tobacco industry for socially responsible behaviour at risk. Furthermore, the research investigated corporate governance and reporting frameworks to evaluate the tobacco industry’s corporate citizenship behaviour to be able to conclude if a tobacco company can be regarded a good corporate citizen. This study was based on a literature review and critically discussing the findings. The information obtained in this research assignment was based on secondary data collected through analysing the company’s records, corporate governance codes and socially responsible investment indices in South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States of America. The research focused on information already in the public domain so there was no need to consider the confidentiality of the information. The research identified what it entails to be a socially responsible corporate citizen in the modern era. The definition of corporate governance was discussed with special reference to the corporate governance codes within the jurisdictions of South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Furthermore, the background to the development of the different socially responsible investment indices was investigated, together with the selection criteria for inclusion on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Socially Responsible Investment, FTSE4Good and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. The FTSE4Good is the only index, which specifically excludes tobacco producers. The assignment identified some conflicting views when looking at social responsibility within the tobacco industry. It can be argued that corporate social responsibility is nothing other than a “marketing” tool for business to gain respect within the market and from government. Companies gain legitimacy and the right to do business; thus to be profitable and grow economic value. When reviewing steps taken by the industry case study it is evident the company focused a lot on addressing their consumers’ expectations to grow economic value. This seems to be a very one-sided approach, but also a very reactive approach, as the company’s sustainability agenda appears to be driven due to external pressures than being part of the core strategy of the company. It can therefore be argued that the company uses corporate social responsibility as a form of promoting the use of tobacco products and not due to being socially responsible corporate citizen. It was thus concluded that a tobacco company cannot be recognised as a socially responsible corporate citizen.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The University of Stellenbosch Business School integrates environmental, social responsibility and corporate governance teaching in all its MBA courses. In 2012, it also introduced a stand-alone course, Business in Society, to improve students‟ knowledge of these topics and improve their decision-making ability. To enhance the course further, a social engagement project was piloted with the 2013 full-time cohort. The aim of the research paper is to determine the impact that the Social Engagement Project had on the participating students and to make recommendations for improving future engagements. The research method employed was content analysis of the reflective essays that the students wrote on assessing the course. Only essays for which permission was obtained from the students were used in the research. The success of the engagement in terms of experiential learning was firstly determined in relation to the Kolb learning cycle and literature regarding specifically service-learning. The impact on the students was then measured against Bloom‟s taxonomy, specifically focusing on the affective domain. Lastly, the effect the theory of planned behaviour was used to determine the influence the engagement had on the behavioural intentions of the students. From the content analysis it was determined that as an experiential learning engagement the project was a success In terms of Bloom‟s affective learning domain the learning dimension achieved by most students was the organisation dimension. Considering the limited duration of the course, this can be deemed a success. Two of the three independent determinants in the theory of planned behaviour that could be analysed, namely perceived behavioural control and attitude towards behaviour, were both positively influenced by the engagement. From a theoretical point of view, the Social Engagement Project could therefore be deemed a success. Areas for improvement that were however identified relate to students original motivations for choosing their projects that were not met. The main reason for this was very high initial expectations that were never congruent with the time available for projects. This factor can have a negative effect on the future behavioural intentions of the students, and the writer therefore proposes that the expectations of students be managed in order to obviate these shortcomings. The analysis of student recommendations revealed three main themes requiring attention, i.e. appropriate project identification, better time allocation, and improved support from faculty. Using these themes and the information learnt from the content analysis, final recommendations were made.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the recent past, there has been increasing awareness of, and concern for, the impact that many companies are having on the natural and social environment. This has seen the emergence of a triple bottom line approach to business, with environmental and social metrics being used in addition to financial metrics when evaluating company performance. Despite the growing level of investment in corporate sustainability, it is not clear whether these investments are viewed positively by the market, and to what extent it creates shareholder value. To shed light on the relationship between environmental performance and financial performance, this research assignment used the event study methodology to investigate whether there is statistically significant stock market reactions to announcements relating to the environmental performance of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. A total of 260 news announcements related to environmental performance were collected from a variety of news sources. The 260 news announcements represented 67 different companies across 11 different industry sectors. News announcements were collected from several prominent business news sources including the Business Day, Financial Mail and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange News Service. Abnormal share returns were estimated for a three day event window around the announcement date by using the market model approach. Results were aggregated based on four different categories of environmental performance, including corporate environmental initiatives, environmental awards and certificates, negative environmental publicity and, environmental reporting, permits and licences. Consistent with related research in developed countries, this study found that the market rewards certain categories of positive environmental performance but penalises certain categories of negative environmental performance more severely. The results show that there is a significant positive market reaction to announcements of corporate environmental initiatives on the trading day following the announcement. This result indicates a positive relationship between corporate environmental initiatives and financial performance, as measured by market value. In terms of negative environmental performance, it was found that the market responds negatively to the broad category of negative environmental publicity. In particular, negative announcements from civil society and environmental groups seem to result in more significant market reactions than negative announcements from local or national government. In contrast to some studies done in developed countries, no statistically significant relationship was found between announcements of environmental awards and certificates and the market value of companies. Neither was there a statistically significant relationship between environmental reporting, permits and licences and the market value of companies. These results therefore indicate that the market is selective in its response to announcements of environmental performance.