The South African government has indicated that the National Small Business Act of 1996 had failed to get the small business sector working successfully as engine for growth. Thus, government policy measures, using an institutional network alone, to create a thriving SME economy, has not succeeded. The Minister called for small business and other institutions to develop suggestions for inclusion in a new business strategy document. One such strategy, as proposed by this thesis, involves the introduction and implementation of the Venture Capital Schemes (VCS) Framework. The purpose of the dissertation is to conduct an exploratory study of the VCS framework and to determine if the VCS framework is worthwhile pursuing in South Africa, following its successful introduction in the United Kingdom. To achieve effective implementation of the VCT framework, specific issues to the various components and key players require addressing: • Are there potential high-growth SMEs that are being overlooked? • Is there a definite 'equity gap' to satisfy the needs of potential SMEs that is not being serviced? • Are there sufficient investors who can be attracted to fund this 'equity gap'? • Are there sufficient rewards for the private sector financial institutions (venture capitalists and associated network) to be willing to manage and drive the VCT framework? To obtain the required information, a discussion / interview was conducted with Business Partners Limited - East Fund (a leading South African venture capitalist who is involved in both 'pure' venture capital funding as well as having integral ties with SMEs). The Venture Capital Schemes Framework, in theory, appears to be a viable option. However, the response indicates that the larger venture capital / private equity firms will not be willing to drive the VCS framework, since it requires an adjustment to their investment philosophy. The response has also indicated that a RFI with a iv reasonable network of resources, operating as a private company, will be in the best position to drive the VCS framework. It will also be able to attract competition from the smaller venture capital/private equity firms, accounting firms and business advisors, to create a vibrant VCT market (industry). Hence, a thriving SME economy could become a reality. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

Radio and television broadcasting are among the most highly regulated industries in most countries. National governments have traditionally assumed responsibility for determining the structure of broadcasting in each country. These state broadcasters have typically been financed from licence fee revenues collected from the owners of television and radio receiving sets, from direct parliamentary appropriations, or from both, although in some cases (e.g. Italy, The Netherlands and Finland) the income of the state broadcasting organisation has been supplemented by advertising revenue. The establishment of state broadcasters has enabled the government to exercise great influence over broadcasters, allowing the medium to be used as a mouthpiece for government sentiments and policy. In South Africa, the National Party government controlled the airwaves and used it to entrench a repressive system of Apartheid. Following the new democracy in South Africa, a regulatory body was formed to oversee the freedom of the media. It was however recognised that broadcasting is one of the few opportunities for historically separated sectors of South African society to get to know each other, while celebrating cultural differences. SABC has been given a substantial public service mandate to fulfil the national goal of democracy, nation building and to provide information and entertainment in indigenous languages. As local programmes are more costly to produce; the mandate presents challenges to the broadcaster to still remain competitive for audience share and revenue. As the SABC does not receive a subsidy, does not have direct access to licence fees and often broadcasts to lower LSM's that do not traditionally deliver revenues, the challenge is to find a broadcasting mix that will ensure sustainability. The research concluded that SABC 2 (that has the biggest public service mandate) is still competitive when compared with another commercial broadcaster. The PBS mandate formed a distinctive strategy to hold audiences and be sustainable. A survey, using a questionnaire concluded that SABC 2 was seen as a public broadcaster but a government subsidy to offset losses of certain types of programming would be welcomed. Two structured interviews showed that the mandate was closely monitored and that management was constantly challenged to find the best programming/scheduling and revenue mix. A source of revenue that would be welcomed would be the partial allocation of licence fees to the channel for specific public service programming - such as state funerals and big national sporting events. This exploratory research made recommendations that will further enhance the competitiveness of SABC 2 and provide more synergies within the South African Broadcasting Corporation. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2002.

The purpose of this research is to provide the members of Safeguard Fire Security with the knowledge and tools to make an informed decision as to whether the business should be enlarged by extension into new geographical areas through acquisitions and mergers, or by diversification into other product-markets. In order to optimise the company's growth objectives, strategic decisions must be made and the reasons why firms diversify or expand is discussed. Different types of diversification strategies are contemplated and considered. It is noted that expansion offers a strong transfer of technology and or marketing competence, while in diversification novel products are acquired and previously unexplored markets are entered. Since diversification is costly and risky, attention is given to the question of whether the firm can solve its problems without diversifying (internal assessment). The discussion on the internal assessment of the firm is done through an 'internal assessment diagram' that steers the assessment through several steps. In order to analyse the product-market opportunities that are available to the firm outside its present scope and thus produce the final decision whether the firm should diversify, an external appraisal of the firm is done. The analysis is done through an 'external assessment diagram' that puts the firm in the position to make a diversification decision. The firm can now make a choice to pursue expansion, diversification, or both. The particular course of action chosen and its timing depends on the risk philosophy of the firm's management. After the firm has applied the procedure for developing product-market alternatives the stage is set for a major decision point at which the firm commits itself to a particular product-market scope and growth vector. Instead of seeking remedies in operational improvements (such as cost reduction, new managers or reorganising of the company), the members of Safeguard Fire Security decided to revamp the entire product-market position. It is pointed out that more diversification and expansion options should have been considered and several recommendations are made with the aim of guiding the members in their new venture. It was concluded that the product diversification opportunity to manufacture fire appliance equipment for the fire industry was attractive enough to sacrifice expansion moves and even to relinquish some parts of the firm's present business. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

The Residential Department at Moreland Developments (Pty.) Ltd. (Moreland), the property development arm of the Tongaat-Hulett Group (THG), has for some time questioned the benefits of setting up and maintaining Home Owner Associations (HOAs) for the residential suburbs that they develop. This concern is a consequence of the significant time and cost incurred in setting up and maintaining these associations with very little perceived added value. The intention of this study is to quantify this added value (if it exists) and in so doing, assist management in matching the right product in the right market with the right price. In an effort to try to understand the concept of added value, the writer has chosen a theoretical framework on which to base the research methodology. The writer has used Michael Porter's Value Chain system as this theoretical foundation. The Value Chain disaggregates the various value-adding activities a company performs and establishes which value-creating activities lead to sustainable competitive advantage. This study develops Moreland's Value Chain and enables the writer to hone in on the value creating activity of setting up and maintaining HOAs. A scientific approach is adopted in the research design. A stratified disproportionate random sample was used because of its greater statistical efficiency. A sample size of 93 were interviewed telephonically using a standardized questionnaire containing a mixture of structured and unstructured questions. The five projects chosen were Broadlands, Somerset Park, Gardens, Mount Edgecombe Country Club Estate (MECCE) and Zimbali. Both descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were performed on the 93 data sets. The data shows that the main drivers of value within a HOA are security, architecture, landscaping, general environmental upkeep and maintenance, communication and rules and regulations. In Broadlands and Somerset Park, the main drivers of value at the time of purchase and presently are architectural theme and rules and regulations. For Gardens, MECCE and Zimbali, the main drivers of value at the time of purchase and presently are security and architectural theme. The research objectives were reduced to two hypotheses, which were tested at the 95% level of confidence :- Hypothesis 1: The presence of a HOA has no effect on the decision to purchase vacant land. This hypothesis was not rejected for Broadlands but rejected for the remaining projects as well as for the full population. Judging from the confidence intervals for the project means, it is evident that the presence of a HOA had a positive effect on the decision to purchase in all projects (except Broadlands) and for the full population. Hypothesis 2: The presence of a HOA will not allow Moreland to command a price premium on the sale of vacant land. This hypothesis is rejected for all projects as well as for the full population implying that Moreland can charge a price premium on the sale of vacant land. The only limitation is that the Broadlands price premium cannot, in real terms, be charged as Hypothesis 1 was accepted for Broadlands, as prospective purchasers perceived value but are unwilling to pay for it. The price premium that could be achieved for the projects are as follow Somerset Park 4% to 20% Gardens 1% to 17% Mecce Zimbali 16% 13.5% to to 45% 24.5% Further analysis revealed that when the added value items of HOA are tested against the project, the location of the project is the prime driver of value. However, when security is tested against the project, the project value subordinates to the security effect indicating that security is the only added value item that is more important than location. The writer has made two recommendations to Moreland. The first is that immediate withdrawal from the Broadlands Home Owners Association is necessary as the value created by the establishment of a HOA is not captured, either in full or in part, by Moreland. The second is that Moreland restructure its commitment to the other HOAs in line with the quantified added value ranges. There is no doubt that this work greatly enhances the existing, very limited, body of knowledge on this subject area in South Africa. It is hoped that future research students will expand the existing body of knowledge by future investigating the issues that have limited this study. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2002.

Independent News & Media (South Africa) (pty) Limited the leading newspaper group in South Africa commissioned an investigation into the strategic launch of a newspaper targeted at the African consumer in the KwaZulu Natal (KZN) market. Independent Newspapers had a profitable Service Agreement with Mandla Matla the owners of ILANGA, the oldest Zulu language bi-weekly newspaper in KZN, which expired on March 31,2002. Prior to the ending of the Service Agreement between the two companies, Independent Newspapers was restrained from publishing a Zulu language newspaper. In order to minimise the effect of the loss of profit from the Service Agreement, various options were determined and a through investigation was commissioned. One option was the possible launch of a new Zulu language newspaper. Reader research was commissioned in the form of reader focus groups and reader questionnaires to determine whether there was room for another newspaper targeting the African consumer. The reader research indicated the strong desire for a daily newspaper ideally in Zulu. A comprehensive financial analysis and a new product development strategy was presented in order to best utilise the research findings and develop a profitable and consumer ariven newspaper. In order to achieve this a number of strategic models were used in the development of the proposed new product. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2002.

This study carries forward the exploration of the link between the enactment of the Malawi Investment Promotion Act (1991) and the investment incentives laid out therein, and the level of foreign direct investment to Malawi. In doing so, the study aims to establish the progress that Malawi has made in nurturing an investment climate that is attractive to foreign investors. The respondents were 26 foreign companies that have invested in Malawi following the enactment Investment Promotion Act. All participants completed a self-administered questionnaire covering several attributes pertaining to Malawi's investment environment. Interviews were also conducted with government officials and employees from the Malawi Investment Promotion Agency (MIPA). The data strongly suggest that FDI has contributed to Malawi's economic growth to a certain extent, and that foreign direct investment inflows have risen during the 1990s. However, the results must be viewed within the context of the broader macroeconomic environment. If Malawi is to see any increase in its FDI inflows, an overall strategy is essential to restore macroeconomic conditions that are conducive to growth, to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework for doing business in the country, and improve the infrastructure that supports the economy. Only when the fundamental determinants are attractive enough for investment to be profitable, will investment incentives have any significant effect. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

New and latest technologies have traditionally been the overwhelming competitors in the workplace. With the economy .shrinking and foreign investment and confidence in the market waning, companies not meeting their expected profit and with cheap labour crossing the borders, or goods being able to be secured cheaper, jobs are not totally secure. At the same time people change their careers at least once in their lifetime: an everlasting career does not exist any longer. Some people peak in their careers, some stay satisfied, while others reach an impasse or a career "doldrum". The subject for my study is the state referred to as "plateauing", and rightfully the perception of plateauing, which is clearly misunderstood. The dissertation sets the tone for the topic by introducing concepts such as the career, familiarity with career maturity, career success, career anchors and other relevant methodology. In understanding the sources of career behaviour, it is important to establish what factors shape our values, thoughts and choices. It is these factors surrounded with environmental constrains that lead to the outcomes for individuals both successes and failures. Over the years, certain consistent trends in the audit of attitudes and perceptions have emerged. Sociological studies in essence have shown whites tended to be more positive than blacks; men tended to be more positive than women; and higher job grades tended to be more positive than lower job grades. If that was not enough, then came government legislation in terms of Employment Equity, which added to the problems associated with plateauing, intended to correct the imbalances from the past. Addressing historical problems of job preservation for whites, and organisations that were dominated by white men. Adding to this myriad of developments, many argue this is "reverse racism" as Indians, Coloureds and white women suffer the bitter end of affirmative action policies not properly implemented. This again today exacerbates to the problem of the "glass ceiling syndrome", job dissatisfaction and low morale. This dissertation gathers insight to the concept of the career as traditionally known and its developments. The theory of Herzberg is discussed which is important to the research as it shows intrinsic and extrinsic motivating factors that determine the individual's motivation to work and to perform. Super's (Career Pattern Study, 1990,Columbia University) life stages theory is compared to stages in one's career. The parallel between the two stages shows how a career is a very real and integrated part of a person's life. This discussion gives the reader more insight into the subject matter. From hereon, the thesis introduces the topic of plateauing and the definition that embodies what plateauing entails. The thesis goes on to advise what causes plateauing. To exemplify this state even further, the life cycle theories of plateauing and succession are discussed. This cycle is broken down into four types of employees and details how organisations should deal with these four types of individuals at various career stages. The discussion is important to show a distinction between individuals and hence their motivation levels at various stages of their life cycles. For example, "deadwood or stars" have different motivation levels and aspirations and must be considered differently, bearing this in mind. The dissertation goes on to substantiate the methodology used in order to confirm the hypothesis tested. The surveys are discussed in detail, their contents and results are analysed in the interpretation section. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

The study is designed to carry out the impact of trade liberalization and globalisation on the Indian industry with the help of a case analysis of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. The study is broken down into five chapters in order to carry out the process of the study systematically. The first chapter presents the background, motivation and the value of the study. Focus of chapter two, the literature review, which helps in brining out aspects associated with trade liberalisation and globalisation. Chapter three provides an overview of the Indian pharmaceutical industry with references to the global industry. An analysis of the industry against the literature developed in chapter two will be the focus of chapter four. Lastly, chapter 5 is designed to formulate recommendations for the industry, incorporating government's role. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

Against a background of declining macro-economic conditions in Zimbabwe, significant challenges confront management in changing the financial performance of debt-ridden parastatals or public corporations. Chronic budget deficits, poor economic policies and mismanagement have ensured that these under capitalised companies post successive losses thus increasing the burden on the tax payer who must pay for their survival. The research study seeks to establish the strategies which management can implement to raise revenue and improve cash flows in preparation for privatisation. If the companies are to be competitive in a deregulated sector, the chosen strategies must offer quick and sustainable solutions. The shareholder's intention is to place these companies in a profitable position in order to gain maximum value from prospective investors. The recommended strategies are intended to improve financial performance of a telecommunications company confronted by a myriad of problems, which include: - • Critical shortages of foreign currency required to implement network development and maintenance programmes as well as payment of traffic handling obligations. • Competition from new entrants, • Government intention to privatise a company weighed down by a huge local and foreign debt. • An economy experiencing negative growth, high unemployment and chronic inflation. MBA-Strategic Financial Management • A population on the verge of starvation resulting from food shortages created by badly implemented land policy and drought conditions afflicting Zimbabwe and Southern Africa in general. The study focuses on key processes that create improvements in revenue and cash flow generation in the short to medium term. The processes are considered against a background of declining macro economic conditions and telecommunications sector deregulation. Experiences on deregulation of telecommunications sector in other countries are considered, and in Zimbabwe, the work done by BT consultants during restructuring and commercialization of the Post and Telecommunications Corporation is assessed. The study shall consider and recommend changes necessary to improve revenues and cash flows. In particular, the study shall: - • Critically review service provision for new customers, line transfers, reallocation of recovered lines, the delayed billing of connected customers and meter reading timetable for statement generation. • Consider and develop improvements in international traffic and accounting rates management in order to increase revenues, which contribute half of the company's profits. MBA-Strategic Financial Management • Assess and develop debt management strategies in order to improve cash flow and profitability. • Assess the company's cash handling procedures and recommend process improvements in order to realise the computed servings in overdraft interest or earnings arising from timely investments. • Develop a system of continuous improvement through tracking, feedback and training. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

Global pressures from within the oil industry has decreased profitability of retail operations which has affected the large oil companies as well as franchisees. A point of differentiation that has been identified is customer service and although all the major players have more or less the same training programmes - they are internally generated. There is very little literature to suggest that oil companies carry out customer perception surveys and to this end, this research has been tailored. Although it is impossible to react to all customer's perceptions, there may be benefits in conducting further research if certain aspects are highlighted by different respondents. Using SERVQUAL as the basic measuring instrument of customer satisfaction, it was adapted to suite the petroleum industry. Caltex Oil SA uses an independent auditor Market Pulse and the main points of this questionnaire were incorporated in the study. It is important to note that the Market Pulse audit is internally generated, measuring the retailer's compliance to Caltex standards. A new questionnaire was then developed to measure customer's expectations and their perceptions of what a good service station should offer. The gaps were then statistically identified and explored, and, possible solutions to close these gaps are generated. / Thesis (MBA)- University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.