Large corporate organizations in Durban are hiring younger, less experienced and highly qualified individuals to lead at the top end of the company. Various concerns are raised with regard to these and other demographic variables in terms of the organization reaching its optimum success. In dissecting the problem statement, the following variables are extracted. These variables include: academic qualification, leadership experience, leadership training and age. The sample is segmented using academic qualification as the central focus. The research, quantitative in nature is aimed to establish if there exists a significant difference in self-perception leadership styles between these variables upon investigating the specific hypothesis generated. Interesting conclusions were drawn. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

The objective of this research is to establish how Information Technology (IT) Governance supports business objectives in an organization. The relationship between IT Governance and organization business objectives continues to interest academics and practitioners (IT Governance Institute, 2003). Like governance generally, IT governance is about the decision rights and accountabilities that encourage desirable behavior in the use of IT. A major challenge of IT governance is resolving boundaries and scope between the organization and its business units. Investment in IT has in recent years become a strategic organizational choice, yet there exists little understanding of IT governance's contribution to business objectives (IT Governance Institute, 2003). A case study research approach was used to get an in-depth understanding of IT governance in a single organization with many business units. The organization that was selected for this purpose is RioZim Limited (formerly Rio Tinto Zimbabwe), a mining company situated in Zimbabwe. Using a field survey of business and IT executives, this study examined how IT governance is contributing towards business objectives. Data was collected from all business units on various IT issues and business objectives. The questions that were asked centered on IT governance practices based on responsibility and authority for IT decision making. Some IT governance issues explored in the study include stakeholder involvement in decision making on major IT domains. The research examined how IT Governance is supporting the business objectives. The results suggest that RioZim's IT governance does not adequately support business objectives. The study revealed that business objectives should drive IT governance. IT governance should be the responsibility of executives and all business units. The results of the study wi II add to the literature in demonstrating the importance of IT governance in supporting business objectives. It provides an assessment tool to business executives for evaluating their IT governance and it also provides guidelines for developing effective IT governance that supports business objectives. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2006.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

The study is concerned with evaluating the growth strategy of MBSA Consulting which is primarily aligned to the key principles of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). As a black owned company practising in the field of civil engineering consulting, there is strong competition from both established companies and other BEE companies. The literature review included the general overview of South African legislation and regulation related to BEE and has also revisited the academic framework in the field of strategic management. According to the findings of the study, clients of MBSA which are mainly government departments and institutions are generally satisfied with the work of MBSA. However, they felt that MBSA should incorporate non-Historically Disadvantaged Individuals in order for them to compete with established companies which generally are owned and managed by non-HDls. The findings of the study revealed that the employee satisfaction level of MBSA employees is good and that can translate to employee encouragement to stay longer with the firm. Finally, the study concluded that MBSA's growth strategy is feasible and there is potential for this company although the issue of skills shortage in the country remains a problem. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

Following the deregulation of the Baking Industry in South Africa, the baking industry has since then burgeoned into a highly competitive, cut-throat industry, where survival depends on market share. As a direct result of the government's deregulation of the Bread Industry, all bread producers were forced to review their business strategies and consumer relationships, in order to survive. With an industry characterised by low margins and the notoriously low levels of brand loyalty, the challenges facing industry players in terms of strategy implementation and consumer focus has necessitated a re-look at the way businesses in the Industry operate. This study examines the factors influencing consumer behaviour in respect of bread purchases at Albany Bakeries Gauteng, with the aim of getting a deeper understanding of the drivers, of such behaviour. The study also critically examines Albany Bakeries current strategy to determine if the strategy is best suited to ensure market growth and consumer satisfaction With no formal research having been done on this subject matter, the purpose of this study is to deepen understanding, of consumer behaviour and to provide Albany Bakeries with meaningful insights in this regard. The knowledge gained from this research will help Albany Bakeries make more informed decisions and to support key marketing decisions, going forward The primary objective of this study is to determine the factors influencing consumer behaviour in respect of bread purchases at Albany Bakeries Some of the secondary objectives of this study included the determination of the strategic priorities of Albany Bakeries in relation to keeping consumers satisfied, the determination the drivers of consumer behaviour in respect of bread purchases and the determination to ascertain whether Albany Bakeries was consumer centric. IV This research study is exploratory in nature, to gain insight into the research problem. An extensive investigation into the relevant literature was done. An empirical study was also conducted and the measuring instrument consisted of a self - administered questionnaire. The population selected consisted of bread consumers from the Germiston (East Rand), Pretoria, Randburg and the West Rand geographical areas. The major findings indicated that Albany Bakeries dominates the Gauteng bread market with its product differentiation strategy. The research results indicate that product freshness and taste are the category passport factors and the major influencing decisions when making a purchase. In a deceptively complex and cut throat industry, Albany's product innovation is a key success factor Other main conclusions were also drawn. Albany Bakeries was seen to be consumer centric, with an admirable high level of consumer satisfaction. It was, inter alia, recommended that Albany Bakeries create more brand awareness by increasing the familiarity of the brand through repeated consumer exposure. It is also recommended that Albany Bakeries implement a programme to measure customer satisfaction, on an ongoing basis and to have available a mechanism to translate what customers want into information that can be usable for managerial decision making purposes. Based on the findings, the research study concludes with various recommendations, which provide direction for future research. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

Abstact not available. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2004.

The buying and selling of a business was previously a fairly simple transaction. A seller had a business he wanted to sell, and a purchaser wanted to buy a business and the two paths met. Those times have changed. More complicated tax laws have been introduced and the structuring of a purchase/sale agreement is much more complicated. This dissertation is about the structuring and forming of a purchase/sale agreement, examining in detail - from both the sides of the purchaser and the seller. This paper looks at the different entities involved in purchasing and selling eg, sole proprietors, close corporations and so on. It examines in detail the difference and reasons between the selling of shares of a business and the selling of assets. Discussed in this paper, again from both the seller and the purchaser's view, is an analysis of what is being sold, and what is being purchased. The different ways of paying for the purchase and the different types of payment, eg in kind, royalties etc. Lastly, but perhaps the most important aspect, are the tax implications in buying and selling a business. Items such as the contents of a Sale Agreement, Fixed Assets, Goodwill, stock etc are also discussed in depth. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2004.

This is a quantitative study that focuses on the lack of differentiation within the forecourt convenience store industry within Cape Town area and the use of an information system to build a differentiation strategy for major oil companies. A critical literature review was conducted to provide a theoretical framework for this study. The literature provided a foundation for the study and revealed that previous researchers have found that it is vital to differentiate within the retail industry due to the highly competitive nature of the industry. It was also made evident in the literature that companies need to become knowledgeable about the customer, the store attributes and products that can contribute to developing a differentiation strategy. Previous researchers recognized the value of having a robust information system that can provide key information required for the strategic planning process of retail companies. The literature review assisted in placing this study in context and preparing for the collection of primary data to answer the research questions. The Chevron retailers within the Cape Town area participated in the study and responded to a questionnaire that focused on the value of differentiation and information systems within the convenience store industry and the subsequent effect it has on the profitability and brand equity of a company. The survey strategy was chosen as the most applicable research method and the findings from the analysis of the data shows that the retailers are in strong agreement that differentiation will enable an oil company to rise above the competitors within the forecourt convenience store industry and also agreed that an information system is required to provide the critical information to assist in developing a differentiation strategy. There appears to be a strong positive correlation between differentiating and an information system from the responses received from the sample of retailers. From the synthesis of the results the most important factors that can be used to differentiate in the industry are store location and customer service. It was also found that the information system must contain data on customers, store attributes and products. This is seen as important ingredients for the strategic planning process and this information will ultimately contribute to an increase in profitability and brand equity if used appropriately. The recommendations made to an oil company that operates within the forecourt convenience store industry are to focus on strategic store locations and customer service to increase profitability and brand equity. Additionally a back-office system must be implemented that enables the capture of pertinent customer, store and product information. It was also recommended that a further study be undertaken using qualitative data gathering techniques and the scope to include the entire convenience store industry in South Africa. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

The need to increase productivity, improve quality and increase flexibility whist continuously reducing costs is driving manufacturers to search for alternative means of converting the product idea into a manufactured product. Plant automation systems which are the nervous system and increasingly the intelligence of the plant have an integral role to play in this regard. This study investigates the convergence between traditional IT and Industrial Automation with a view to understanding how this phenomenon will affect operational excellence within the manufacturing environment. The study further investigates the key determinants of success for automation systems within the broader business context and how this can lead to an advantage over competitors. The study is limited to manufacturing operations within the greater Durban area. The results revealed that there is a clear relationship between industrial automation and information technology in manufacturing organisations. However, of interest is the fact that in the majority of the organisations surveyed the two functions operate as separate entities within the organisation resulting in overlaps of responsibility and accountability for key equipment and processes. Factory efficiency was found to be the key determinant of success in the majority of the organisations surveyed whilst the provisioning of production data when used strategically was found to have a positive effect in allowing the organisation to gain an advantage over its competitors. Due to the limitation of the short time frame allocated to this research, the study could not go in detail into the drivers of these findings consequently recommendations for further research is made. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

The retirement fund industry has seen a number of scandals both locally and internationally recently. These have left the trustees, the custodians of the large sums of monies in retirement funds, exposed to lawsuits. This is so because the fund members and retirees blame these trustees for negligence and lack of foresight in putting in place prudential standards by which their monies should be managed. These prudential standards are encompassed in corporate governance, as we will appreciate. Retirement fund governance is a subset of corporate governance; it is the mirror image of the corporate governance of a company, which consists of a set of relationships between company's management, board, shareholders and other stakeholders. The same principles that apply to business assets in general also apply to the management of pension assets. This study set out to ascertain whether or not retirement funds in South Africa do comply with the governance guidelines as set by the Financial Services Board (FSB). I selected a sample of 300 fund trustees but excluded the principal officers and tried to select an equal number from employee elected and employer appointed, a balance that proved to be extremely difficult to strike. The sample was randomly drawn using my colleagues for referrals as well as just calling a company asking for a principal officer who would refer me to the trustees. (I received a great deal of cooperation from the principal officers to this end). The participants represent a wide spectrum of industry sectors. They represent manufacturing, auto and motor industry, local government and a few from the financial services industry. I used a 23-question questionnaire conducting interviews both telephonically and face-to-face interactions as well mail. I managed to receive 87 responses from face-to-face interactions locally (Port Elizabeth), 67 responses from the mail and 60 from telephone interviews. I used a software program called statistica 6.1 to analyze my data and produce the frequency tables and graphs. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2004.