Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examined the role that self development can play in order to renew any aspect of life that was found to be undesirable. During the study the analogy was used of self development being the means by which to move from an undesirable departure point of the environment, whether that of the working world, or family life, or an undesirable behaviour of the individual, or the self, to a more desirable one. Life is made up of many different spheres or roles of life, and the only way that these can be improved, is by realising that change begins from within the self. In order to achieve our zenith in life is by growing, not only in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual and emotional sense and by so doing, making an impact on all the spheres of our own lives. In this way, changes and renewal can be started in other spheres, as well as in other peoples' lives too. It must be noted that the physical dimension works in synergy with the other dimensions of spirit, mental and social so it looked at the metaphysical as well, in order to show that there is an area which one does not consider it to be within our control, but must never the less be kept in mind in order to understand life and enrich our self developmental learning. Work, family, religious and social life, all create roles with their concomitant expectations and needs which interact and create a synergy that makes a person who they are. When one area is underdeveloped or even undeveloped, there is an imbalance that upsets all the other areas that may create dis-ease of some kind. The roles themselves create expectations that, if not met, cause conflict that results in stress. Self awareness requires, and causes, a rising up from the old way to a new way. It is a repositioning of the individual within the spheres of life that they choose to develop. This self development leads to a higher level of consciousness, and this was not mere self actualisation, as it encompasses more that the satisfaction of needs, but influences the lives of those whom they may wish to influence as well. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelstelling van die werkstuk is om aan die hand van 'n literatuurstudie 'n breë oorsig te gee oor die rol van selfontwikkeling in die invloede van een deel van die lewe op die ander. Daar is nie baie navorsing in hierdie verband gedoen nie. Ten einde die oorkruisendie invloede te verstaan, is dit noodsaaklik: dat die verskillende rolle ontleed word. Gevolglik word die oorsake, simptome en gevolge as self ontwikkeling nie plaasvind nie bespreek. Self ontwikkeling as vak en die rol wat dit speel in alle dele van die lewe word bespreek, asook die dinamika binne en buite werksomstandighede. Die invloed van selfontwikkeling op psigiese, fisiese en geestelike dimesies van die persoon, word aangetoon. Die afleiding kan gemaak word dat selfontwikkeling kan 'n invloed hê op alle dele van die lewe van 'n persoon en die invloed daarop kan oordraagbaar wees van een na die ander toe.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Management consulting refers to the area of intervention, which is assistance to entrepreneurs, managers and other decision-makers in business management and the public sector. The study will cover the area of management consulting and the primary focus of this study is companies presently doing business as Management Consulting firms with a global presence. The study excludes software vendors and management consulting firms that specialise only in implementing computer software systems like Oracle, SAP, etcetera. There are a great number of firms offering management consulting among other services like auditing for example. Prominent among these are the major accounting firms namely Ernst and Young, Deloitte Consulting, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and Arthur Andersen. They form part of this study. Marketing has become a more critical need than ever and it has become an important and influential factor in building and maintaining a profitable enterprise. The marketing of a product and or service is very important and the question can be posed whether management consulting firms have clear marketing strategies and tactics, or whether they stumbled onto their success in attracting clients per chance. The purpose of this study is to identify existing marketing strategies and tactics being used by management consulting firms. The objective is to determine the nature of the compilation of a structured framework for an effective standardised marketing strategy plan. The problem statement is the following: "How can marketing strategies and tactics for management consulting firms be used as an effective marketing tool to attract business for the consulting firm?" The greatest problem concerning this study is the fact that minimal research and literature has been directly compiled on thé topic. It was therefore a study on opinions, viewpoints, books in general on the topic of marketing as well as the daily media was researched to determine and evaluate possible existing marketing strategies and tactics. Since the field of marketing strategies and tactics for management consulting services and firms is relatively new, the exploratory research approach was used. Chapter 1 deals with the purpose, objective, problem statement and research methodology. Chapter 2 involves a literature study to define the term and scope of management consulting, and an overview of the management consulting process is given. Chapters 3 identifies and evaluates the existing marketing strategies and tactics of management consulting firms. Chapter 4 explores differentiation based on service and skills as well as industry specialisation. The question that needs to be answered is whether management consulting firms should be specialists or generalists. Chapter 5 addresses pricing. The different approaches to costing and fee setting are discussed. The study is completed in chapter 6 with conclusions and recommendations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Bestuurs konsultasie verwys na die area van intervensie waar hulp aan entrepreneurs, bestuurders en ander besluitnemers in die private en publieke sektor verleen word. Hiedie studie dek die area van bestuurs konsultasie en die primêre fokus van die studie is firmas wat tans konsultasie firmas bedryf met 'n internasionale teenwoordigheid. Hierdie navorsings verslag fokus op die bemarkings taktiek en strategieë van bestuurs konsultasie firmas. Die studie sluit sagteware firmas en bestuurs konsultasie firmas uit wat uitsluitlik spesialiseer in die implementering en instandhouding van rekenaar sagteware. Voorbeelde van sulke firmas is Oracle en SAP. Daar is 'n groot aantal firmas wat bestuurs konsultasie saam met ander dienste soos byvoorbeeld ouditering aanbied. Prominent onder hierdie groep is Ernst and Young, Deloitte Consulting, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and Arthur Andersen. Hulle vorm deel van hierdie studie. Bemarking van die diens word al hoe meer belangriker as ooit en dit is 'n kritiese faktor om 'n winsgewende firma te bedryf. Die bemarking van 'n produk of diens is baie belangrik en die vraag kan gevra word of bestuurs konsultasie firmas uitgewerkte bemarking strategieë en taktiek het om kliënte te werf, en of hulle per toeval daarin slaag om besigheid te kry. Die doel van hierdie studie is om bestaande bemarkingstrategieë en-taktiek wat deur bestuurskonsultasie firmas gebruik word, te evalueer. Die doelwit is om die aard van die gestruktureerde raamwerk vir 'n effektiewe gestandardiseerde bemarkingsplan te bepaal. Die probleem stelling is as volg: "Hoe kan bemarkings taktiek en strategieë vir bestuurskonsultasie firmas gebruik word as 'n effektiewe bemarkingsmiddel ten einde besigheid vir die konsultasie firma te lok?" 'n Groot probleem is dat minimale navorsing en literatuur aangaande die onderwerp opgestel is. Dit gaan dus 'n studie wees van opinies, standpunte, asook boeke in die algemeen oor die onderwerp bemarking. Die daaglikse media gaan ook nagevors word om die moontlikheid van bemarkingstartegiëe en taktiek te bepaal. Aangesien die veld van bemarkingtaktiek en -strategiëe vir bestuurskonsultasie firmas redelik nuut is, gaan die eksploratiewe navorsings metode gebruik word. Hoofstuk 1 behandel die doel, doelwit, probleemstelling en navorsingsmetodologie. Hoofstuk 2 dek 'n literatuurstudie aangaande die aard en omvang van bestuurs konsultasie, asook 'n oorsig van die bestuurs konsultasie proses. Hoofstuk 3 identifiseer en evalueer die bestaande bemarkingstrategiëe en taktiek van bestuurs konsultasie firmas. Hoofstuk 4 ondersoek differensiasie gebaseer op diens en bevoegdhede sowel as industrie spesialisasie. Die vraag wat beantwoord moet word is of bestuurs konsultasie firmas slegs in een veld moet spesialiseer en of hulle 'n meerdoellige fokus moet hê. Hoofstuk 5 spreek prys aan. Die verskillende benaderings tot prys en koste word bespreek. Die studie word afgesluit in hoofstuk 6 met 'n samevatting en aanbevelings.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Growth, Employment and Redistribution strategy (GEAR) has not been successful in bringing about growth in the South African economy as planned. The biggest failure of GEAR has however been the fact that employment levels have continued to drop since its implementation. Unemployment levels, as well as the scales and levels of employment are furthermore still dramatically skewed in favour of the previously advantaged, namely white men. That group, is however, still the most highly skilled in our economy. AIDS may furthermore have a dramatic impact on the labour force in South Africa. Studies show that the reduction of inequality in society is a way of promoting economic growth. The upgrading of skills, improving access to jobs, occupations, training and promotion opportunities advance all members of the workforce and makes it possible for them to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency. On a wider scale, the elimination of discrimination raises economic efficiency throughout the economy by ensuring a more rational allocation of labour resources. By increasing the pool of skilled and qualified employees and improving labour market mobility, economic efficiency is enhanced. Given this, it seems that a move to employment equity is the only manner in which the ailing South African economy can be addressed. The legislative framework to serve as the foundation for equity in the workplace is complete. Through the application of the Labour Relations Act (No 66 of 1995) (LRA) and the Basic Conditions Employment Act (BCEA) equitable collective bargaining processes and equitable treatment of employees can be obtained. The Employment Equity Act (No 55 of 1998) not only prohibits discrimination, but actually set up a framework within which affirmative action can take place. The process of transforming the profile of the labour force will, however, not be complete (or successful) if it is not accompanied by a programme to change the skills structure within South Africa. The Skills Development Act (No 97 of 1998) aims to distribute the necessary skills to previously disadvantaged groups in order to empower them to hold jobs at higher levels. If used correctly, this legislative framework will not only transform South African workplaces, but will also bring about much needed societal change. The transformation process at UPE, resulting in the Employment Equity Plan as well as the Policy on the Promotion of Equality, Diversity and Elimination of Unfair Discrimination has been transparent and inclusive in nature. The process and the resulting documents can serve as basis for other tertiary institutions to bring about the required change. Given the solid research and consultation that went into formulating the plan and policy, it is to be hoped that this plan will be consistently implemented and the success constantly monitored. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: GEAR was nie so suksesvol as wat verwag is om groter groei vir die Suid- Afrikaanse ekonomie mee te bring nie. Die grootste mislukking van GEAR was egter die feit dat werkloosheid steeds toeneem. Werkloosheidvlakke, sowel as die verdiensteskale en die vlakke van diensverrigting in Suid-Afrika is verder ook dramaties oneweredig ten gunste van blanke mans. Hierdie groep is egter steeds die groep met die beste vaardighede in Suid-Afrika. Vigs mag ook nog verder 'n dramatiese impak op die Suid-Afrikaanse arbeidsmag hê. Navorsing vertoon dat die vermindering van ongelykheid binne die gemeenskap ekonomiese groei kan meebring. Dit is omdat beter opleiding en verbeterde toegang tot werksgeleenthede, opleiding en bevordering al die werknemers begunstig en sodoende dit moontlik maak vir hulle om met maksimale produktiwiteit en effektiwiteit hulle dagtaak te verrig. Op 'n breër vlak kan die verwydering van diskriminasie tot verbeterde ekonomiese effektiwiteit in die ekonomie deur 'n meer rasionele verdeling van arbeidsvaardighede lei. Indien 'n groter groep kundiges geskep word kan die ganse ekonomiese groei verbeter word. Om hierdie rede is billike arbeidspraktyke die enigste manier waarop die kwynende Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie herstel kan word. Die wetgewende raamwerk waarbinne billikheid in die arbeidsmag gereguleer word, is voltooi. Deur die toepassing van beide, die Wet op Arbeidsverhoudinge (Nr 66 van 1965) en die Wet op Basiese Diensvoorwaardes (Nr 55 van 1998) word billike kollektiewe bedinging en billike hantering van werknemers by die werkplek verseker. Die Wet met betrekking tot Billikheid ten opsigte van Indiensneming verbied nie net diskriminasie nie, maar stel 'n raamwerk daar waarbinne regstellende aksie kan geskied. Die proses van transformasie van die arbeidsmag sal egter nie volledig (of suksesvol) kan wees indien dit nie gepaard gaan met 'n program waardeur die vaardigheidstruktuur in Suid-Afrika verander word nie. Die Vaardighede Ontwikkelingswet (Nr 97 van 1998) poog om die nodige vaardighede aan voorheen agtergeblewe groepe te versprei om hulle sodoende te bemagtig om arbeid op 'n hoër vlak te kan verrig. Indien hierdie wetgewende raamwerk goed gebruik word sal dit nie net organisasies verander nie, maar lei tot 'n verandering binne die breë gemeenskap. Die proses van transformasie by UPE wat gelei het tot die daarstelling van 'n Plan vir Billike Indiensneming sowel as 'n Beleid vir die Bevordering van Gelykheid en Diversifikasie en die Verwydering van Onbillike Diskriminasie was deursigtig en inklusief van aard. Die proses en die beleid kan as basis dien vir ander tersiêre instellings om die nodige verandering mee te bring. Gegewe die navorsing en konsultasie waarmee die daarstelling van die plan en beleidsdokument gepaard gegaan het, sal die plan hopelik konsekwent toegepas en die sukses daarvan deurlopend geëvalueer word.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research project focuses on the relevance of outsourcing in construction project management companies, and will be conducted in the field of project management, for it is closely related to matrix management and other project management elements. The primary aim of this study is to review and summarise some of the more important literature on outsourcing published in various sources during the past decade. Similar literature related to project management would also be studied in order to relate the mostly generic articles on outsourcing to the field of Project Management. A number of general conclusions will be drawn on the basis of similarities encountered in the various published works. The research is divided into the following sections: • An introduction, explaining the relationship between outsourcing, project management and a construction project management company. • The definition of a construction project management company. This entails a description of a construction project management company and the organisational structure of such a company. The properties and advantages of a matrix organisation structure are also discussed, because of the close resemblance between a construction project management company's organisational structure and that of a pure matrix organisation structure. • The definition of outsourcing, to enable the reader to comprehend the title of this research project. The difference between outsourcing and traditional subcontracting is explained, and drivers of the outsourcing process are identified. • The relevance of outsourcing in construction companies is then investigated. This involves the study of the formulation and implementation of a successful outsourcing strategy, the establishing of core and non-core activities and the outsourcing of these activities, specifically in a construction project management company. • The relationship between outsourcing and project success is then studied. In this process, both project success and the critical success factors are investigated and defined that are crucial to the successful implementation of an outsourcing strategy, together with its advantages and disadvantages. • All stakeholders play an important role in the implementation of an outsourcing strategy. It is therefore important to define the roles of the directors, operations manager, resource manager and project managers in this process. • In conclusion emphasis is placed on the fact that all construction companies will have to adopt this strategy or a similar one to become a true virtual construction company, thus a construction project management company, if their aim is to be successful by international standards. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studieprojek fokus op die toepaslikheid van uitkontraktering in konstruksieprojekbestuurmaatskappye. Die studie sal onderneem word in die veld van projekbestuur aangesien dit in nou verband staan met matriksbestuur en ander projekbestuur elemente. Die hoofdoel van die studie is om van die belangrikste literatuur oor hierdie onderwerp wat oor die afgelope dekade gepubliseer is, te bestudeer en op te som. Soortgelyke literatuur oor projekbestuur sal ook bestudeer word om die onderwerp van toepassing te maak op projekbestuur, aangesien die artikels oor uitkontraktering meestal generies van aard is. Gevolgtrekkings sal gemaak word na aanleiding van ooreenkomste tussen die verskillende gepubliseerde werke. Die studieprojek sal verdeel word in die volgende gedeeltes: • 'n Inleiding wat die verband aantoon tussen uitkontraktering, projekbestuur en 'n konstruksie-projekbestuurmaatskappy. • Die definisie van 'n konstruksie-projekbestuurmaatskappy. Dit behels onder meer 'n beskrywing van 'n konstruksie-projekbestuurmaatskappy en die organisasiestruktuur van so 'n maatskappy. Die eienskappe en die voordele van 'n matriks-organisasiestruktuur word ook bespreek, aangesien daar 'n sterk ooreenkoms is tussen die organisasiestruktuur van 'n konstruksieprojekbestuurmaatskappy en 'n suiwer matriks-struktuur. • Uitkontraktering word gedefinieer sodat die leser 'n geheelbeeld kan skep t.o.v. die titel van hierdie studieprojek. Die verskil tussen uitkontraktering en tradisionele subkontraktering word verduidelik en die drywers van uitkontraktering word geidentifiseer. • Die toepaslikheid van uitkontraktering in konstruksie-projekbestuurmaatskappye word dan ondersoek. Die studie omvat die formulering en toepassing van 'n suksesvolle uitkontrakteringstrategie, die bepaling van kern en nie-kern aktiwiteite, en die uitkontraktering van hierdie aktiwiteite, spesifiek in die geval van 'n konstruksie-projekbestuurmaatskappy. • Die verband tussen suksesvolle uitkontraktering en projeksukses word ook ondersoek. In die proses word projeksukses, die kritieke suksesfaktore met die toepassing van 'n uitkontrakteringstrategie en die voor- en nadele van uitkontraktering gedefinieer en ondersoek. • Alle aandeelhouers speel 'n belangrike rol in die toepassing van 'n uitkontrakteringstrategie. Dit is dus belangrik om die rol van die direkteure, operasionele bestuurder, hulpbronbestuurder en die projekbestuurders te definieer en te identifiseer. • In die slotsom van die studieprojek word beklemtoon dat alle konstruksieprojekbestuur- maatskappye hierdie of 'n soortgelyke strategie sal moet volg indien hulle in die toekoms suksesvol wil wees.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the construction and comparability of Value Added Statements published by listed industrial companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange during a two-year period starting in 1999. No Accounting Standard is presently available for preparing the Value Added Statement. Therefore, this study has as its aim the encapsulation of the various faulty recordings of different items in the statement. The published financial statements for 1999 and 2000 of more than 200 companies were analysed and compared to a previously developed standardised statement to ascertain items incorrectly included or omitted. The inclusion or extraction of these items in the standardised statement determines the actual value added by a company. The study also accurately identifies those items that are mostly recorded incorrectly and which contribute to the inadequacies of the Value Added Statement. For the Value Added Statement to put the wealth created by an organisation in a proper perspective, the comparability thereof will have to be enhanced by the constant application of a methodical and uniform model that incorporates clearly defined entries. Users of Value Added Statements should thus be able to compare the results in a statement of an entity over a given period of time to evaluate trends and cycles and should furthermore, be able to compare the statements of various companies in order to determine the relative performance of a company in the creation of wealth. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die konstruksie en vergelykbaarheid van Toegevoegdewaardestate wat gepubliseer is oor 'n tydperk van twee jaar, beginnende 1999, deur industriële maatskappye wat op die Johannesburgse Effektebeurs genoteer is. Geen Rekeningkundige Standpunt is tans beskikbaar vir die opstel van Toegevoegdewaardestate nie. Gevolglik het hierdie studie dit ten doel om die foutiewe inskrywings van verskeie items te identifiseer. Die gepubliseerde finansiële state vir 1999 en 2000 van meer as 200 maatskappye is geanaliseer en vergelyk met 'n gestandaardiseerde staat wat vooraf ontwikkel is. Die doel van hierdie analise was om items te identifiseer wat verkeerdelik ingesluit is of weggelaat is in die betrokke state. Die werklike waarde wat toegevoeg is, word gevolglik bepaal deur die insluiting of weglating van die items in die gestandaardiseerde staat. Die studie identifiseer ook daardie items wat die meeste verkeerdelik gerapporteer word en wat die grootste bydrae lewer tot die vermindering in die aanwending en waarde van die Toegevoegdewaardestaat. Om werklik perspektief te plaas op die rykdom wat geskep word deur 'n organisasie, sal die vergelykbaarheid van die Toegevoegdewaardestaat verbeter moet word deur die deurlopende toepassing van 'n sistematiese en konstante model wat duidelik omskryfde inskrywings inkorporeer. Die gebruikers van Toegevoegdewaardestate moet dus in staat gestel word om 'n vergelyking te tref tussen die resultate van 'n entiteit oor 'n gegewe tydperk ten einde tendense en siklusse te evalueer, asook om die resultate van verskillende maatskappye te vergelyk ten einde 'n maatskappy se relatiewe werksverrigting te bepaal aangaande waardetoevoeging.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / This study represents an evaluation of the outcome of implementing the 20 Keys programme in organisations in Japan, Europe and South Africa. The 20 Keys Programme claims to be an Organisational Development (OD) Programme and the study firstly explores the underlying characteristics of an OD programme. Specific attention is given concerning the underlying values, the features and interventions of OD. Because Learning and Knowledge Management form such a critical role in OD the characteristics and features of a "Learning Organisation" and Knowledge Management are covered. The 20 Keys programme has been developed to deliver on the strategy of an organisation. The characteristics and aims of The Programme are thus presented as well as a critical evaluation of whether The Programme's features and characteristics corresponds with that of OD and whether it has features that indicate that it is develop as such to deliver on the strategy. It is concluded that The Programme's features and characteristics do support that of an OD programme. The 20 Keys Programme is a tool to deliver on the strategy of an organisation as is supported by reports from organisations that implemented The Programme in Japan, Europe and South Africa. The organisations did show some significant results in terms of productivity improvements, reducing defects and reducing work-in-process in line with improvements with their benchmark score.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The development of new business models in the emerging Business-to-Business electronic transacting arena is demanding answers to a new set of questions being asked of businesses. Amongst the issues identified are the viability and sustainability of these new business models and their applicability in addressing identified business problems, especially those related to procurement. In assessing the benefits, obstacles and opportunities for procurement a clearer picture emerge about the value of these marketplaces. The value of marketplaces is analysed using Porter's value chain discussion and other research that highlights value creation in the digital age. Obstacles to value creation are also discussed using Zwass's hierarchy to understand the marketplace architecture. Discussing the marketplace innovation at three distinct levels assist with the definition of key challenges, such as telecommunication infrastructure, SME development, legal, security, taxation, and technology standards. Also discussed are the issues that revolve around the various business models, their uniqueness and their ability to unlock value. The comparative matrix developed in the study report confirms that competition in narrowly defined areas is intensifying and will result in a shakeout with a few marketplaces remaining in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ontwikkeling van nuwe besigheidsmodelle in die opkommende Besigheid-tot- Besigheid elektroniese transaksie arena vereis antwoorde op 'n nuwe stel vrae wat aan besigheid gestel word. Van die geïdentifiseerde kwessies is die lewensvatbaarheid en volhouding van die nuwe besigheidsmodelle en hul toepassing in die oplossing van geïdentifiseerde besigheidsprobleme, veral met betrekking tot aankopebestuur. Deur die voordele, struikelblokke en geleenthede van elektroniese aankopebestuur te ondersoek, word 'n duideliker beeld van markruimtes verkry. Die waarde van markruimtes word geanaliseer deur Porter se waardeketting bespreking en ander navorsing wat die waardeskepping uitlig in die digitale era. Struikelblokke in die pad van waardeskepping word ook bespreek deur Zwass se hierargiese model word gebruik om die waardeskepping van markruimte se argitektuur te verstaan. Om die Markruimte innovering op drie belangrike vlakke te bespreek help met die definiering van die sleutel uitdagings, soos telekommunikasie infrastruktuur, klein en medium besigheids, regs-, sekuriteit-, belasting-, en tegnologiestandaarde. Die vergelykende matriks wat in die studieverslag ontwikkel is, bevestig dat kompetisie in goed geidentifiseerde areas meer intensief word en 'n uitskudding to gevolg sal hê met slegs 'n paar oorblywende markruimtes in Suid Afrika.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This paper asks the question: "Is the Guide to the PMBOICs method appropriate for doing projects of a social science character?" Inthis enquiry extensive use is made ofliterature that is available via the world wide web. This paper follows the school of thought that regards the world as a complex set of interrelated systems. Humans as social beings are an integral part of these complex systems. In order to do justice to human endeavours, one must understand the systems in which humans operate and interpret all human undertakings in relation to those systems. Three broad types of systems approaches to project management are distinguished. A common underlying principle of all three approaches is that they regard social systems as complex, highly volatile and in constant flux. A direct consequence of this characteristic of social systems is that project goals are also not simple and rigidly fixed. The project goals are also complex, in constant flux and open-ended. The traditional Guide to the PMBOICs method for doing project management is unable to deal effectively with these complex and volatile system problems. This paper advocates that a slightly modified version of Checkland's soft systems method be used to deal with social projects, which are by definition, also complex projects. It is proposed that Checkland's soft systems method should be used in addition to the traditional approach. The method proposed by this paper is, to various degrees, already being implemented in practice. The proposed method is, however, presently not being catered for in the project management software packages that are readily and commercially available. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die vraag: "Is die metode soos voorgestel in die Guide to the PMBOK geskik vir projekte met 'n sosiaal wetenskaplike karakter?" In die ondersoek word op grootskaal gebruik gemaak van literatuur wat beskikbaar is op die internet. Hierdie studie sluit aan by die wetenskaplike gedagterigting wat die wêreld beskou as bestaande uit 'n reeks ingewikkelde en onderling verbinde sisteme. As sosiale wese is die mens 'n integrale deel van hierdie gekompliseerde sisteme. Om reg te laat geskied aan menslike handelinge, moet die sisteme waarbinne die mens leef verstaan word. Menslike handeling moet ook vertolk word teen die agtergrond van daardie sisteme en in verhouding tot die sisteme. Drie gedagterigtings kan onderskei word binne die sisteem benadering tot projekbestuur. 'n Gemeenskaplike en onderliggende beginsel van al drie gedagterigtings is dat hulle sosiale sisteme beskou as gekompliseerd, uiters onbestendig en in voortdurende beweging. 'n Direkte gevolg van hierdie eienskap van sosiale sisteme is dat projekte se doelwitte ook nie maklik definieerbaar en stabiel is nie. Projekte se doelwitte is gekompliseerd, onbestendig en oop. Die konvensionele metodes vir projekbestuur soos voorgestel deur die Guide to the PMBOK is nie in staat om hierdie gekompliseerde en onbestendige sisteem probleme effektief te hanteer nie. Hierdie studie debatteer dat 'n effens gewysigde weergawe van Checkland se sagte sisteem metode gebruik word vir die doen van sosiale projekte, wat per definisie gekompliseerde projekte is. Dit word aan die hand gedoen dat Checkland se sagte sisteem metode gebruik word saam met die konvensionele benadering. Die metode wat hierdie studie bepleit, word alreeds tot vlakke in die praktyk toegepas. Daar word egter nie voorsieining gemaak vir die voorgestelde metode in rekenaar sagte ware programme in projekbestuur wat redelik algemeen in die kleinhandel beskikbaar is nie.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Academics, analysts and investors have always been intrigued by, and have always sought to identify with certainty, factors that determine investment returns and share price movements. In 1953 Maurice Kendall, following on the work of Louis Bachelier, made the revelation that share price movements followed a random pattern, i.e. they could not be predicted with certainty. Through continual research, two schools of thought emerged - fundamental and technical analysis. The fundamentalists' perspective is that through thorough due diligence analysis of current and historical data, one will be able to identify good investment prospects.The latter stipulates that future price movements can be predicted from previous price movements, i.e. historical patterns replicate themselves over time. The random walk theory suggested by Kendall was followed by the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) as developed and refined by Sharpe (1964), Lintner (1965) and Black (1972). The CAPMrecognised risk (beta) as the key explanatory variable of returns. The CAPMremains the backbone of modern financial theory and is the basis against which all new developmentsare measured. Subsequent studies have attempted to find other explanatory variables of return other than beta. Banz (1981) found evidence of a relationship between size and returns later referred to as the size effect. Chen (1981 and 1983) found that after adjusting for risk factors, the size effect did not yield high returns adequately, thus challenging Banz's findings. In 1985, Chan, Chen and Hsieh using macro and micro economic variables found that given more accurate estimates of beta, no sized-based differences in returns could be observed. Reinganumin 1981 found evidence of high earnings-price (EjP) shares yielding abnormally high returns. He further found a strong relationship between size and earnings-to-price (EjP) ratio. Bhandari (1988) suggested that in addition to beta and size, leverage also played an important explanatory role of returns. Related studies by Basu (1977), Chan, Hamao and Lakonishok (1991) and Jegadeesh (1992) found a multi-variable explanation of returns - market equity, beta, EjP ratio, size and other non-market factors. The combination of these factors led to the conclusion that the CAPM model had been misspecified. Fama and French (1992 and 1995) expanded the research and sought to establish the multi-dimensionality of beta. They found, inter alia, that equities with a high book value vis-a-vis their price realised higher returns than their counterparts. They further found profitability to be positively related to size. This led to a new ratio in financial analysis, the price book ratio (PB). The PB ratio has never emerged as a prominent analytical tool in the financial sector and has historically been superseded by the price earnings (PE) ratio. The author therefore seeks to establish the raison d' etre for the status quo by undertaking an empirical study of the JSE Securities Exchange for the period commencing 1989 and ending 1998. Using financial data obtainable from annual financial statements, the author proceeded to calculate PE and PB ratios. Tracing the mathematical derivation of the two ratios and using the Pearson correlation coefficient, trend analysis and the Spearman Rank correlation test, the author found that there exists prima facie evidence to suggest that the PE ratio could be used as a proxy for the PB ratio. This offers a partial explanation of the inconspicuous role of the PB ratio as an explanatory tool. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Akademici, analiste en beleggers stel steeds belang in en strewe om faktore wat beleggingsopbrengste en aandeleprysbewegings bepaal, met sekerheid te identifiseer. In 1953 het Maurice Kendal, gebaseer op die werk van Louis Bachelier, getoon dat aandelepryse 'n ewekansige patroon volg en as gevolg hiervan nie met sekerheid voorspel kan word nie. Navorsing het twee denkrigtings tot gevolg gehad naamlik fundamentele ontleding en tegniese analise. Fundamentele ontleding veronderstel dat winsgewende beleggingsgeleenthede vanuit 'n deeglik oorweegde impak analise van huidige en historiese data gemaak kan word. Tegniese analise stel voor dat toekomstige prysbewegings uit vorige prysbewegings afgelei en voorspel kan word, óf anders gestel, dat patrone hulself oor 'n sekere periode herhaal. Die stogastiese lopie teorie van Kendall is gevolg deur die markpryswaarderingsmodel (MPM) wat deur Sharpe (1964), Lintner (1965) en Black (1972) ontwikkel en verfyn is. Die MPM stel risiko (beta) as 'n sentrale veranderlike wat opbrengste voorspel. Die MPM vorm steeds die primêre uitgangspunt van finansiële teorie en die basis waaraan nuwe ontwikkelings gemeet word. Voortspruitend uit die voorafgaande studies, is daar gepoog om verdere veranderlikes anders as beta te ondersoek wat opbrengste voorspel. Banz (1981) toon aan dat daar 'n verhouding bestaan tussen grootte en opbrengste - naamlik die grootte-effek. Chen (1981 en 1983) het die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat die grootte-effek nie genoegsame hoë opbrengste lewer nadat risikofaktore in berekening gebring is nie. Gevolglik is Banz se bevindinge bevraagteken. In 1985 het Chan, Chen en Hsieh deur die gebruik van makro en mikro-ekonomiese veranderlikes bevind dat, gegewe 'n meer akkurate bepaling van beta, geen grootte gebaseerde opbrengste waargeneem kon word nie. Reinganum (1981) bevind dat bewyse bestaan dat aandele met hoë verdienste-prys abnormaal hoë opbrengste getoon het. Sterk verhoudings tussen grootte en die aandeel se prysverdienste verhouding is waargeneem. Bhandari (1988), in verdere navorsing in hierdie verband, stel dat in aanvulling tot die gebruik van die beta-koëffisient en grootte, hefboomwerking ook 'n belangrike bydrae lewer in die bepaling van opbrengste. Verbandhoudende studies deur Basu (1977), Chan, Hamao en Lakonishok (1991) en Jegadeesh (1992) stel dat opbrengste verduidelik kan word aan die hand van verskeie veranderlikes, naamlik markekwiteit, beta, prysverdienste verhouding, grootte en ander nie-markverwante faktore. Die kombinering van hierdie faktore het gelei tot die gevolgtrekking dat die MPM model verkeerd gespesifiseerd was. Fama en French (1992 en 1995) se navorsing poog om die multi-dimensionaliteit van beta te bepaal. Hulle bevind onder andere dat aandele wat 'n hoë boekwaarde teenoor prys, 'n hoër verdienste of opbrengs oplewer as ander aandele. Verder is bevind dat 'n positiewe korrelasie tussen winsgewendheid en grootte bestaan. Dit het gelei tot 'n nuwe verhouding in finansiële analise, naamlik die prys-tot-boek verhouding (PB). Die PB-verhouding het egter nooit in die finansiële sektor gerealiseer as 'n prominente analitiese metode nie en word histories deur die prysverdienste verhouding oorskadu. Die skrywer wil gevolglik die raison d' etre vasstel vir die status quo deur 'n empiriese studie van die Johannesburgse Effektebeurs vir die periode 1989 tot 1998 te onderneem. Deur jaarlikse finansiële state te ontleed, is die prysverdienste en prys-tot-boek verhoudings bereken. Deur 'n wiskundige afleiding van die twee verhoudings te maak, die Pearson korrelasiekoëffisient, tendensanalise en die Spearman rang korrelasiekoëffisienttoets te gebruik, het die skrywer bevind dat daar prima facie getuienis bestaan dat die prysverdienste verhouding ook gebruik kan word as 'n ekwivalent vir die prys-tot-boek verhouding. Dit bied 'n gedeeltelike verklaring van die ontoereikende rol van die prys-tot- boek verhouding as 'n verklarende veranderlike.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / The objective of this mini study project is to record dividends of de-listed companies from copies of Annual Reports. It forms part of a larger research project at the Graduate School of Business of the University of Stellenbosch that aims at setting up a database containing published financial information on dividends for listed and de-listed companies. Dividends are a valuable source of information content. Recording, and thereafter employing an analysis of basic descriptive statistics on dividends, is one way to decipher such information. Calculating the average and median of dividends declared by companies sheds an insight to the nature of dividend payout. The purpose of the mini study project is to capture the interim, special, and final dividends per share. The method employed is to calculate dividend values and to compare them against those published. Total Rand values of dividends are calculated by multiplying the number of shares issued, by the dividends declared in cents, per share as noted on the directors' report, and notes to the income statement. This is achieved by means of an Excel spreadsheet model.