The purpose of this research was the evaluation of the American Strategic Duration Perspective, generally accepted and often criticized for being performance based shorttermism, to the detriment of its long term economic sustenance. The study sampled three hundred and thirty one corporate strategic leaders in three categories, namely; American, Japanese and Japanese-American. The survey instrument was a written, cross sectional, questionnaire. The study evaluated the American Strategic Duration Perspective in contrast to; the Japanese Strategic Duration Perspective, generally accepted as long-termism, secondly, by measuring Japanese-American SDP. adaptation made in relation or response to the American Operating Environment. The traditional Japanese-American Strategic Duration Perspective is Japanese long-termism. Thus, JapaneseAmerican SDP. adjustment to the American Operating Environment would "objectively' demonstrate whether the American Strategic Duration Perspective was an appropriate subjective (Japanese-American) perception or not. The data reflected that not only had the Japanese-American sample become more American in Strategic Duration Perspective, but that the Japanese had themselves shortened their SDP. "independent" of the American Operating Environment. These facts supported the status quo American Strategic Duration Perspective. Further, the shortening of Strategic Duration Perspective by the Japanese sample reflects a broader, global trend toward an increasingly RealTimestrategic management model / Economic and Management Sciences / D. BL.

Darbas yra aktualus, nes viešojo sektoriaus įstaigose ir organizacijose kol kas nėra pakankamų žinių apie informacinių technologijų valdymo procesų tobulinimo metodus. Dažnai informacinių technologijų plėtra ir strateginis valdymas yra suprantama kaip technologinis, o ne kaip vadybinis uždavinys, todėl tampa atskirti nuo pagrindinių įstaigos veiklos procesų ir vyksta nepriklausomai nuo pagrindinės įstaigos veiklos. Šiame magistriniame darbe išanalizuotos Lietuvos viešojo sektoriaus informacinių technologių strateginio valdymo problemos nustatytas Lietuvos viešojo sektoriaus strateginio valdymo lygis. Šio darbo tyrimo objektas – Lietuvos Respublikos viešojo sektoriaus informacinių technologijų strateginis valdymas. Tikslas – nustatyti Lietuvos Respublikos informacinių technologijų strateginio valdymo galimybes, taikant tarptautinį standartą COBIT. Iškeltam tikslui pasiekti ir išspręsti tokie uždaviniai, kaip: informacinių technologijų strateginio valdymo svarba, atlikta teisinės bazės, reglamentuojančios viešojo sektoriaus informacinių technologijų valdymą, analizė, išanalizuotas tarptautinį standartą – COBIT ir sugretintas su Lietuvos teisine baze, tai pat atlikta ekspertų apklausa. Taip pat atliktas tyrimas patvirtino keliamą hipotezę: Lietuvos Respublikos viešojo sektoriaus informacinių technologijų srityje strateginio valdymo reglamentavimas teisės aktais neatitinka reglamentavimo pagal tarptautinį standartą – COBIT. Pirmoje dalyje pateikiama lietuvių ir užsienio mokslinės... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The work is important, because the lack of knowledge on improvement methods of the information technologies management processes exists in organisations and institutions of public sector. Information technologies development and strategic management is often understood as technological, but not administrative task and due to that it becomes desintegrated with the main institutional processes and goes independently from main institutional activities. In this master work problems of the strategic management of information technologies in public sector of Lithuania are analysed and the maturity level of the strategic management of public sector of Lithuania is determined. Analysis object of this work - strategic management of information technologies in public sector of the Republic of Lithuania. The objective – to determine strategic management of information technologies in public sector possibilities using international standard COBIT. For the analysis object reaching goals were solved - such as importance of the strategic management of information technologies, analysis of the legal basis, which regulates management of the public sector information technologies, analysed international standard COBIT and mapped with Lithuanian legal basis, performed interview of experts. Analysis performed confirmed raised hypothesis: regulation of the strategic management in area of public sector information technologies in the Republic of Lithuania does not meet regulations if to compare... [to full text]

[pt] As organizações públicas, como gestoras de recursos públicos, devem pautar suas ações em princípios relativos à eficiência, eficácia e efetividade. Ciente de tal necessidade, as antigas filosofias de gestão dos bens públicos foram alteradas, a partir da introdução do conceito de New Public Management. Com a adoção dessa nova forma de gestão da coisa pública, permitiu-se a apropriação de um conceito anteriormente utilizado somente na iniciativa privada, conhecido como gestão estratégica. Esse tipo de gestão permite que as organizações, de forma sistêmica e contínua, planejem, monitorem e avaliem as ações estratégicas visando o alcance dos seus objetivos. Pela importância do processo de gestão estratégica ligado às organizações públicas, este estudo tem como objetivo principal a avaliação do nível de maturidade do processo de gerenciamento estratégico nas entidades públicas federais estudadas de forma a subsidiar os gestores com informações úteis para a melhoria do processo e da tomada de decisão cotidiana. Para esse propósito, o Strategic Management Maturity Model, desenvolvido pela consultoria norte-americana Balanced Scorecard Institute, foi selecionado e adaptado, possibilitando a formulação do questionário de pesquisa, aplicado em 12 respondentes, quatro por instituição pública federal. Tal instrumento, possibilitou a análise e a indicação do nível de maturidade das oito dimensões presentes no modelo, mesmo que sem validade estatística, de forma individual e conjunta, representando o processo de gestão estratégica. / [en] Public organizations, as managers of public resources, should guide their actions in terms of efficiency, efficacy and effectiveness. Aware of such need, the old philosophies of public management were altered, from the introduction of the concept of New Public Management. With the adoption of this new way of managing the public thing, it was allowed the appropriation of a concept previously used only in the private initiative, known as strategic management. This type of management allows organizations, in a systemic and continuous way, to plan, monitor and evaluate the strategic actions aiming the achievement of its objectives. Due to the importance of the strategic management process related to public organizations, this study will have as main objective the evaluation of the maturity level of the strategic management process in the federal public entities studied in order to subsidize managers with useful informations to improve the process and the decision-making process on a daily basis. For this purpose, the Strategic Management Maturity Model, developed by a well-known american consultancy called Balanced Scorecard Institute, was selected and adapted, enabling the formulation of the research questionnaire, applied in 12 respondents, four by federal public institution. This instrument made possible to analyze and indicate the level of maturity of the eight dimensions present in the model, even without statistical validity, individually and jointly, representing the strategic management process.

The purpose of the research was to assess the strategic management process of a water utility in South Africa. The research focused on Midvaal Water Company, a section 21 water utility based in South Africa, North West Province town of Klerksdorp. The objectives of the study were; (a) to assess the organisational level of knowledge when it comes to SMP, (b) to determine different perceptions with regards to SMP between management and employees, (c) to determine the organisational profiles (age, gender, educational qualifications, race and employment type). Literature review was conducted covering the South Africa water framework paying particular attention to different role players and legislative framework governing the sector; the latter included the strategic management process of a water utility as applied in the Midvaal Water Company context. The research approach was quantitative methodology, which involved distribution of questionnaires as part of field work in the water utility. Questionnaires were analysed through statistical approach, and further linked back to the problem statement. The questionnaires were also tested for Validity and reliability which was found to be acceptable. The results indicate that there is a correlation between strategic management process and organisational results. The results also provide interesting relationships between variables that can be explored further. In conclusion successful implementation of strategy requires both leadership and employee commitment. More effort needs to be put in place to ensure that there is an understanding of company values mission and vision. As part of the succession planning the water utilities should consider succession planning as a tool to develop future leaders, by identifying future potential leaders and involving them in the strategy crafting process can help in creating a pool of competent future leaders that will contribute to the well being and sustainability of the water utility. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Agriculture plays a vital role towards shaping the economy of South Africa. The role of agriculture in South Africa in ensuring a strong food supply has been greatly emphasised by the department of Agriculture in their Strategic Plan for South African agriculture. The agricultural environment in South Africa changes just as much as any other corporate environment and has forced farm owners and managers to start thinking holistically. With the many challenges facing farming businesses in South Africa, including constantly rising input costs, an unwell labour market, discouraging political talks about land reform, price fluctuations for crops and very limited help with financing, it is essential that all activities and resources of the farming business be strategically planned and prioritised. It is essential that all individuals involved in managing the farming business understand where the farm is going, how it plans to get there, and the problems and/or opportunities that lay ahead. This study focused on agricultural businesses in the North West Province of South Africa, and the main objective was to establish whether a well-research strategic plan could benefit farm owners and farm managers to produce more successful results. The research objective was, firstly, to review the literature and determine the key enablers required for successful strategy implementation in the agriculture industry and to investigate different strategy management frameworks to give a structure to allocate resources effectively in order to ensure long-term achievement of goals that are set out in the strategy. The second objective of the study was to analyse the findings of the empirical study and make recommendations on how to improve on the strategy of the farming business. The study report is concluded by making recommendations and encouraging farm owners and managers to include strategic planning into their business for farming success. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The purpose of the research was to assess the strategic management process of a water utility in South Africa. The research focused on Midvaal Water Company, a section 21 water utility based in South Africa, North West Province town of Klerksdorp. The objectives of the study were; (a) to assess the organisational level of knowledge when it comes to SMP, (b) to determine different perceptions with regards to SMP between management and employees, (c) to determine the organisational profiles (age, gender, educational qualifications, race and employment type). Literature review was conducted covering the South Africa water framework paying particular attention to different role players and legislative framework governing the sector; the latter included the strategic management process of a water utility as applied in the Midvaal Water Company context. The research approach was quantitative methodology, which involved distribution of questionnaires as part of field work in the water utility. Questionnaires were analysed through statistical approach, and further linked back to the problem statement. The questionnaires were also tested for Validity and reliability which was found to be acceptable. The results indicate that there is a correlation between strategic management process and organisational results. The results also provide interesting relationships between variables that can be explored further. In conclusion successful implementation of strategy requires both leadership and employee commitment. More effort needs to be put in place to ensure that there is an understanding of company values mission and vision. As part of the succession planning the water utilities should consider succession planning as a tool to develop future leaders, by identifying future potential leaders and involving them in the strategy crafting process can help in creating a pool of competent future leaders that will contribute to the well being and sustainability of the water utility. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Agriculture plays a vital role towards shaping the economy of South Africa. The role of agriculture in South Africa in ensuring a strong food supply has been greatly emphasised by the department of Agriculture in their Strategic Plan for South African agriculture. The agricultural environment in South Africa changes just as much as any other corporate environment and has forced farm owners and managers to start thinking holistically. With the many challenges facing farming businesses in South Africa, including constantly rising input costs, an unwell labour market, discouraging political talks about land reform, price fluctuations for crops and very limited help with financing, it is essential that all activities and resources of the farming business be strategically planned and prioritised. It is essential that all individuals involved in managing the farming business understand where the farm is going, how it plans to get there, and the problems and/or opportunities that lay ahead. This study focused on agricultural businesses in the North West Province of South Africa, and the main objective was to establish whether a well-research strategic plan could benefit farm owners and farm managers to produce more successful results. The research objective was, firstly, to review the literature and determine the key enablers required for successful strategy implementation in the agriculture industry and to investigate different strategy management frameworks to give a structure to allocate resources effectively in order to ensure long-term achievement of goals that are set out in the strategy. The second objective of the study was to analyse the findings of the empirical study and make recommendations on how to improve on the strategy of the farming business. The study report is concluded by making recommendations and encouraging farm owners and managers to include strategic planning into their business for farming success. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This study offers insight into the perceived leadership behaviour of sales managers in a pharmaceutical organisation in South Africa. The study specifically investigated the extent of the relationship between leadership behaviour of sales managers and motivation of sales teams during the implementation of strategic alliances. The study followed a mixed methods approach and had a correlational research design. The population in this study was the fifty four (54) sales representatives and their respective sales managers of the six sales teams identified, who are directly responsible for implementing strategic alliances. The population was demarcated into six (6) sales teams with each team reporting to a separate sales manager. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The quantitative data were analysed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r). The qualitative component was analysed using a content analysis. The findings of the correlation analysis suggest that an overall positive and moderate relationship exist between autocratic leadership behaviour of sales managers and the motivation of sales teams. A similar relationship exists between team leadership and extrinsic motivation. A positive and weak relationship exists between directive and supportive leadership and motivation. Similarly, a positive and weak relationship exists between team leadership and intrinsic motivation. However, the extent to which these relationships exist varies between the sales teams. The findings of the content analysis indicate that task-oriented leadership behaviour may exert the strongest motivator for sales teams when implementing strategic alliances. / Business Management / M. Com. (Business Management)

Food Hubs are in a unique yet precarious position to help the local food movement reform unsustainable aspects of the conventional food system but they themselves face challenges in strategic planning and managing growth. Due to the lack of consensus on what local food’s values are, the construction of meaning and the local food movement itself is at risk of being coopted by the very systems it seeks to reform. This research aims to explain the role of key stakeholders and their impact on the local food movement through a sequential explanatory design which seeks to answer the questions of who and what really counts among Food Hub stakeholders. Relying on stakeholder theory, stakeholder salience and social movement frameworks, the research has shown that Food Hubs consider their internal and customer stakeholders as highly important to strategic planning, yet could work more effectively at engaging regulatory and community stakeholders to construct and advance their own objectives as well as those of the local food movement.

<p>Businesses carrying out related diversification moves with the objective to gain synergy effects have been a frequently occurring phenomenon since the midst of the past century. Plenty of models have been constructed, mainly using external data, in order to predict the outcome of these moves, but a high degree of contradictory results in empiric testing shows that current models are insufficient. Our objective is to present a model which also takes into account the internal data presented by the line of research called horizontal strategies, with the aim of moving towards a more accurate explanatory model for related diversification. This is a study of literature which resulted in a model which may be used for approximations as a strategic planning device. Our main conclusions are that further empirical testing, mainly regarding the behaviour of costs for implementing interrelationships, is necessary in order to create an accurate, explanatory model for predicting the outcome of related diversification.</p>