M.Comm. / The case method can serve as an instrument to improve the learner's skills across a wide spectrum. It is extremely important that the theoretical background of the learner be focused in such a way to be of practical use for the embryo-manager. The correct use of the case method is a powerful tool for the developer, but incorrectly used, it can have negative results. The case method relies on the learning-by-doing principle. The learner does not merely hear or read about situations within the work place, but experiences analysis and problem solving first-hand during the class discussion.The facilitator ought not use the first case study he lays his hands on when planning a class discussion. Cases must be selected with great care, to suit the learning objectives and must take into account the learners' level of knowledge and development. The use of a standardised classification matrix can assist the facilitator to identify the appropriate case study. Before a learner can be expected to analyse and discuss cases, he/she should receive the necessary guidance beforehand. The use of a set of generic guidelines in case analysis, should enable the learner to solve virtually any case he/she is confronted with. As the learner gains experience in case analysis, the generic guidelines can be adapted to conform with the learners specific needs as well as with the specific nature of the case under discussion. Research regarding the use of the case method to develop managerial skills is still totally inadequate.

M.Com. / The purpose of this study is to identify important factors for the formulation of a strategy for the management of change within the Johannesburg region of the Allied/United division of ABSA. The need for such a strategy arose after indications of a low level of motivation and a negative climate were identified within the organization. In this study the level of motivation and the climate is tested and the connection of these aspects with the process of change taking place within ABSA is studied. The situations within Allied and United are also compared...

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

M.B.A. / To develop four Strategic Scenario's for Lonmin Western Platinum Mine ( WPM ) based on investigation into outsourcing, financial, productivity and technological aspects to enable Lonmin Western Platinum Mine management to refocus their operating strategies. 1.7 Objective of research 1.7.1 To analyse the current external and internal environment 1.7.2 To evaluate Lonmin Western Platinum Mines current situation 1.7.3 To utilize an appropriate research methodology 1.7.4 To provide strategic scenarios to top management 1.7.5 To evaluate the strategic scenario's and provide a recommendation to management

M.Comm. / Many aspects of the success, or lack of success, of a business can be accurately measured. Revenues, profit and loss, return on assets, share price, price equity ratios, market share, customer satisfaction and many more aspects can be measured and often managed. Apart from the measurable something else is needed: a successful organisational culture. The culture of an organisation is often easier to experience than to describe. The objectives of this study are find a workable definition for culture, tools to measure the culture of groups and leadership skills needed to manage or change the culture of organisations. Various definitions of organisational culture and culture measuring tools are studied. The most promising definition of culture and measuring tools are put to the test in a case study to forni an opinion of the usefulness of such tools for management. Results of this study indicate that the concept culture, as described in the double s cube model, is a very useful tool for managers. It provides a quick and easy entry point to the culture management of an organization. Firstly, the tools that are available to measure culture provide results that could be used to position a company in the double s cube model. Secondly, the results of the culture measurement could be used to formulate and decide on the best course of action when it is necessary to change culture. Culture management is done by manipulating the sociability and solidarity levels in an organisation and by ensuring positive contribution of these elements to business successes. The clear leadership guidelines to achieve this manipulation could be very useful for managers. By using the concept of culture, managers could establish competitive advantages for their businesses. Culture management could be the secret key to open a situation whereby it is possible to improve business performance and at the same time create an environment where people are happy to achieve these goals.

M.Com. (Business Management) / In articles, research papers and books, the concept of managing logistics as an intergral part of total business - an interconnected pipeline of information, activities and materials from source to final destination - has been widely touted as an idea whose time has come. Integrated logistics management, provides senior executives with the tool to supervise and manage the logistics activities as an intergrated system that spans traditional organisational lines. This study provides an overview of logistics with emphasis on the intergrated logistics management concept and how to administer it. It concludes with a case study, using the concept to optimize an export logistics chain.

by Chu Chong-Kit, George, To Kwong-Hiu, Bernard. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-91). / ABSTRACT --- p.I / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.II / LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS --- p.IV / LIST OF TABLES --- p.V / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.6 / External and Industry Environments --- p.6 / Strategic Actions and Response --- p.10 / External Environment and Strategic Responses --- p.13 / Summary --- p.15 / Chapter III. --- CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AND AVIATION INDUSTRY --- p.19 / Corporate Background --- p.19 / The Global Aviation Industry --- p.21 / The Hong Kong Aviation Industry --- p.23 / Chapter IV. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.26 / Performance Measurement --- p.27 / Environmental Variations and Competitive Responses --- p.32 / Chapter V. --- RESULTS --- p.34 / Quantitative Analysis: Operational Performance --- p.34 / Qualitative Analysis : Environmental Variations and Strategic Responses --- p.38 / Legal and Political Environment --- p.38 / Event One : Plan for New Airport at Chek Lap Kok --- p.39 / Event Two : Delay of New Airport Opening --- p.40 / Event Three : Political Uncertainty of 1997 --- p.40 / Rivalry Intensity --- p.42 / "Event One : Hong Kong Dragon Airlines (""Dragonair"")" --- p.42 / Event Two : Virgin Atlantic Airways --- p.42 / Event Three : Air Hong Kong --- p.43 / Event Four: China National Aviation Corporation --- p.44 / Industry Growth --- p.44 / Event One : Slowdown of Global Aviation Industry --- p.44 / Event Two : Worldwide Excess of Capacity and Continuation of Warfare --- p.45 / Internal Factor Costs --- p.47 / Chapter VI. --- DISCUSSION --- p.49 / Chapter VII. --- CONCLUSION --- p.53 / APPENDIX --- p.57 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.89

This study is based on the premise that it is important to understand how niche marketers manage the process of farm level adaptive change. A review of the relevent literature revealed the limitations of research on the strategic planning process pertaining to small business. A normative model of the strategic planning process was synthesised and used as an anyalystical framework to assess the planning behaviour of agricultural niche marketers in the study. On completion of a review of research methodologies for the social sciences, the multiple-case holistic design was selected. Data was collected and analyzed. The principal analytical method used was pattern matching. The technique of explanation building was applied in order to draw conclusions about the correspondence between the normative model and the actual planning practices of agricultural niche marketers. A revise model of the planning process is then proposed. / viii, 100, vi leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.

This study explores the strategic thinking and strategic planning efforts in a department, college and university in the southeastern United States. The goal of the study was to identify elements of strategic planning processes that meet the unique organizational features and complexities of a higher education institution. The study employed a holistic, multi-case study approach, wherein three single case studies were conducted with one unit of analysis. The findings in each case were then compared and contrasted to provide more evidence and confidence in the findings. The findings are framed by two constructs : strategic planning and strategic thinking. The conceptual framework for the study identified the distinction between the systematic nature of strategic planning and the more integrated perspective of strategic thinking. Traditional business based strategic planning model uses an analytical process, logic, linear thinking and a calculating process to develop a plan. Strategi c thinking places a premium on synthesis, systems thinking and a social cognitive process that results in an integrated perspective of the organization. The resluts of this study indicate that the use of the Strategic Thinking Protocolà is suitable for higher education organizations to create a learning environment, to implement creative and emergent strategies, that result in the organization's positioning and responses to a rapidly changing environment. The strategic thinking process in both the department and college cases were found to be effective in altering the attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviors of the participants. The integration of the plan is an ongoing process with strong beginnings in both the department and college cases. / The traditional strategic planning process used in the university case was found not to be an effective model for higher education organizations. Finally, the inclusion of strategic thinking elements is an effective change model for higher education institutions. / by Deborah J. Robinson. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2012. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

This thesis lies at the nexus of scenario planning and strategy. Scenario planning is a foresight activity used extensively in strategic planning and public policy development to imagine alternative, plausible futures as means to understand the driving forces behind the uncertainties and possibilities of a changing environment. Despite significant application in both private and public sectors, and a growing body of academic and practitioner-orientated literature, little empirical evidence exists about how organisations actually use scenario planning to inform strategy. Moreover, the emerging Strategy-as-Practice (S-as-P) perspective, which has exposed strategy to more sociological pursuits, presented a way of conceiving and studying strategy not as something an organisation has, but rather as something people do. By examining the activities of scenario planning, understanding its use as an example of episodic, interactive strategizing, S-as-P provides a theoretical lens through which to perform a much-needed empirical analysis of the scenario-to-strategy process. A second goal of the thesis is to advance understanding of the S-as-P perspective by addressing recent criticisms as well as contributing to the growing body of practice-based research. The central research question which guides the thesis is, how does an organisation use scenario planning to inform the strategic planning process? To answer this question, the research vehicle is a single, in-depth case study of community planning in Fife, which extends from 1999 until April 2008. A detailed, longitudinal narrative of Fife’s scenario planning and strategy process is presented before using empirical evidence from the case to understand how an organisation manages the scenario planning process, how scenario planning affects policy development, and how cognitive processes manifest physically in an organisation. The thesis concludes that scenario planning created a sensemaking/sensegiving framework that provided structural and interpretive legitimacy which facilitated communicative activities and helped the Fife Partnership understand and improve the interconnectedness of Fife’s public services and community planning process. While contributing to the S-as-P research agenda, the investigation of the scenario-to-strategy process also revealed, and solidified, a number of criticisms that challenge the theoretical, conceptual, and empirical validity of the strategy-as-practice perspective.