This research attempts to find the ideal ratio of IT staff to end-user at the University of Natal. It also examines the organisational structure of the Information Technology Division of Natal University. This study first examines available literature to establish the suggested structure and ratio. Next the IT function of a small sample of universities around the world is examined. The structure and ratio found at the University of Natal will be compared to the suggested model and to those of the other universities examined. From this study will emerge the ideal structure and ratio for the Information Technology Division of the University of Natal. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Presently in South Africa, a large number of companies are developing an online presence. For established companies whose brands are already well entrenched in the minds of their consumers, the challenge lies in developing an online site that matches the expectations that consumers have come to rely on from that brand. It is interesting to analyse whether or not top companies employ similar web site design criteria as compared to the runner-up companies. This investigative study researches the application of web site design criteria by 102 leading consumer brand manufacturers in South Africa. Thirty-four objective, marketing-related site design sub-criteria were chosen and subsequently organised into 9 broad categories. These 102 leading manufacturers' sites were separated into leader sites (n=53) and runner-up sites (n=49), with the aim of identifying criteria (if any) that are specifically applied by leader sites as compared to runner-up sites. A quantitative approach was applied in this study. These web sites were checked for the application of each criterion and sub-criterion using content analysis, the results of which were recorded on a data sheet. The generated data was analysed using statistical software and specifically the statistical techniques of t-testing, cluster and discriminant analysis. The cluster analysis showed no difference in the application of web design criteria by leader and runner-up sites. However, the t-test revealed that the navigation and customer support criteria showed the most significant difference in its application between leader and runner-up sites. Discriminant analysis confirmed that navigation and customer support criteria were the most discriminating criteria, and also identified a third criterion of advertising/promotion/publicity. Additional research was undertaken to determine to what extent these three discriminating criteria were actually applied. This involved analysing the mean differences between the 'top 10 vs bottom 10' sites and 'top 30 vs bottom 30' sites. This additional effort further confirmed what was previously determined, that navigation, customer support and advertising/promotion/publicity are the three criteria which demonstrate a significant difference between leader and runner-up sites. This implies that most of the web sites of the top consumer brand manufacturers in South Africa clearly demonstrate application of these three criteria in the web design strategy. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

What is the role of a port? It is a place that handles ships and cargo with operational efficiency. For this reason, ports must be seen as elements in value-driven chain systems or in value chain constellations. They deliver value to shippers and to third party service providers; customer segmentation and targeting is on the basis of a clearly specified value for itself and for the chain in which it is embedded. Ports no longer operate in an insulated environment. They face the same competitive forces that companies in other industries experience. There is rivalry among existing competitors, continuing threat of new entrants, potential for global substitutes, presence of powerful customers and powerful supplies. Since the early 1980s, moves to rapidly liberalise trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) have strongly influenced policy makers in many developing countries in their thinking about this challenge. Openness to international market forces and competition was expected to allow those countries to alter both the pace and the pattern of their participation in international trade, thereby overcoming balance-ofpayments problems and accelerating growth, to catch up with industrial countries. Today, the Port of Durban is the clear African leader in total container throughput. In the world port league for 2000 established by Containerisation International Yearbook 2001, Durban was in 44th position. The Port of Durban is an important gateway with regards to general cargo flows especially since the port's goal is to become a hub port in the Southern Africa. It has great economic value for the city and the country at large. It can be seen that the poor economic and operational efficiency of the port leads to poor overall economic growth for the nation. It is therefore desirable to ensure that the terminal is always operating at optimum operating efficiency with the required infrastructure and capacity in place. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

Changes in the health sector in South Africa have been widespread since 1994 with restructuring ofthe public sector being the focal point of legislation. The limelight has recently shifted focus to the health sector with the Medicine and Related Substances (MRSCA) Amendment Act, 59 of 2002 in which generic substitution was finally promulgated, after disputes in the international arena about patent rights, due to the government's policy on parallel imports. Section12 ofPharmacy Act 90, which forms part of the Act is an attempt to further regulate the industry, that eventually became effective this year. This legislation addresses issues of sampling and perverse incentives and calls for the establishment of a Marketing Code for the pharmaceutical industry. The South African government has, as part of the amendment, called for input from all stakeholders including: trade associations, the pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession. All role players were invited to be part of the decisionmaking process as to what should constitute the Marketing Code and its' regulatory body. The Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP), an affiliate of the South African Medical Association (SAMA), has not yet prepared a response to SAMA for submission to government with regard to the Marketing Code, in the field of central nervous system (CNS) products. The impact of the banning of samples on psychiatric private practice is not known and there is insufficient data available about the marketing activities of drug companies and the link to the prescription habits of medical professionals. Further, to date, there has been no canvassing of opinions with regard to the impact of the legislation on the consumer. In this case study analysis, an evaluation of the impact of legislative changes in the South African pharmaceutical industry is made. Recommendations as to what should constitute a Marketing Code for the pharmaceutical industry are highlighted. restructuring ofthe public sector being the focal point of legislation. The limelight has recently shifted focus to the health sector with the Medicine and Related Substances (MRSCA) Amendment Act, 59 of 2002 in which generic substitution was finally promulgated, after disputes in the international arena about patent rights, due to the government's policy on parallel imports. Section12 ofPharmacy Act 90, which forms part of the Act is an attempt to further regulate the industry, that eventually became effective this year. This legislation addresses issues of sampling and perverse incentives and calls for the establishment of a Marketing Code for the pharmaceutical industry. The South African government has, as part of the amendment, called for input from all stakeholders including: trade associations, the pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession. All role players were invited to be part of the decisionmaking process as to what should constitute the Marketing Code and its' regulatory body. The Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP), an affiliate of the South African Medical Association (SAMA), has not yet prepared a response to SAMA for submission to government with regard to the Marketing Code, in the field of central nervous system (CNS) products. The impact of the banning of samples on psychiatric private practice is not known and there is insufficient data available about the marketing activities of drug companies and the link to the prescription habits of medical professionals. Further, to date, there has been no canvassing of opinions with regard to the impact of the legislation on the consumer. In this case study analysis, an evaluation of the impact of legislative changes in the South African pharmaceutical industry is made. Recommendations as to what should constitute a Marketing Code for the pharmaceutical industry are highlighted. / Thesis (MBA)- University of Natal, 2003.

For most organisations the decision to implement performance management is not about introducing a completely new process. Most organisations start with annual appraisals and learn from them what goes well or bad. Because of being under the rule of Britain, Lesotho inherited some of the systems mostly followed by many Commonwealth countries in the public service; some of which were confidential reporting systems for appraising employees. Investigations were made about the existing system at that time and the findings indicated that most of the people did not like it. They said it was subjective, and that it contributed to low morale, and weakened supervision/employee relations. It was realised that a new system was urgently needed. The new system was introduced which was for an open appraisal. Several attempts were made, but they failed because of lack of resources and poor communication and teamwork in the organization. This report sets out the observations and comments on the new system and the findings are discussed together with the implications of the system. The aim of this research is to investigate all the measures concerning the system whether they are being applied correctly, whether all measurements are effectively implemented and if the system is acceptable in the civil service. Finally, whether it fits the culture of the organization. If its not working the way it was expected to, what are the problems and how can such problems be solved?. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

Coffee prices reached their lowest levels in 30 years in 2001 (and in 100 years in real terms). In almost all coffee producing countries, such prices are unable to cover production costs and have led to serious social and economic problems, including increased poverty, indebtedness and abandonment of coffee farms. The heavy reliance on coffee renders APC vulnerable to markets downturns and to the competitive pressures that exist in the industry. The coffee crisis has actually been "brewing" for some time now, but has recently percolated as the reality of far reaching structural changes in global coffee production and marketing are being recognized. While there are strategies that could be taken by the coffee industry to improve on the current situation, these are unlikely to result in a quick recovery of world prices or farms' profitability. Coffee farmers face at least two distinct sets of problems associated with prices; the outright price level and volatility. Historically, coffee prices have been among the most volatile of all commodity prices. Cyclical price volatility, particUlarly within the crop season, can be managed through price risk management instruments. However, the secular price trend requires other longer-term elements, such as diversification or improvements in quality and productivity. The paper concludes that debt within the financial structures of industry players is a result of the crisis and to solve the coffee crisis strategies focussed on raising and stabilizing incomes of coffee producers is the ultimate goal and not increasing production statistics. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

Blendcor (Pty) Limited is a joint venture lubricants blending and grease manufacturing plant and equally owned by its shareholders, British Petroleum Southern Africa and Shell South Africa. BP purchased Castrol worldwide in March 2000. The merger of BP and Castrol has created opportunities for consolidation of production at Blendcor. The inclusion of the Castrol lubes portfolio would increase current production at Blendcor to approximately 150 million liters per annum. The purpose of this research is to establish if the merger between BP and Castrol would have a positive or negative effect on Blendcor. We begin this research by seeking an understanding of the strategy framework and its role in assisting a company to achieve its objectives. The framework starts by explaining how strategy is formulated, the development of a vision, mission statement, the examination of the company's external environment, the company's internal environment, the impact of globalisation, the company's long-term goals, and finally organizational structure and leadership. Emphasis is placed on companies that employ Joint Ventures, Mergers and Alliances as grand strategies. The history of the Oil industry in South Africa, the history of Blendcor's partners, a brief history and background of Blendcor, followed by a discussion on the merger of BP and Castrol, and its impact on Blendcor, is examined. Blendcor is then evaluated by conducting a SWOT analysis. It's strengths; weaknesses, opportunities and threats are discussed briefly. The current strategy employed by Blendcor is subsequently evaluated against the suitability criteria. The plant is benchmarked against other plants worldwide in terms of cost and production. The strategy development process at Blendcor is then evaluated to determine the synergies of the leadership team. The merger is then profiled using the PIMS model to determine whether the merger was a good or bad decision. Finally, various recommendations are made to improve the plant and its processes. The replacement of Blendcor's Information system is discussed in length and the lack of a suitable measurement system is highlighted. / Thesis (MBA) - University of Natal, 2003.

The main reason for the low production efficiencies at North Coast Milling is the frequent stoppages due to equipment breakdowns and the requirement for unscheduled maintenance. In order for this factory to be able to reach the desired efficiencies, it is imperative that downtime and cost drivers in the production lines be identified and rectified. In order to achieve world-class performance, more and more companies are replacing their reactive strategies for maintenance with proactive strategies like Preventive maintenance (PM), Reliability-centred maintenance (RCM) and Condition based maintenance (CBM) and aggressive strategies like Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). While these newer maintenance strategies require increased commitments to training, resources and integration, they also promise to improve performance. New asset management philosophies are being implemented world-wide in an effort to improve industrial system reliability as well as to reduce maintenance costs. Concepts such as TPM, RCM and CBM are being customised for implementation in various industries. Real-time condition monitoring via computerised maintenance management systems has helped make it possible to transfer from a time-based maintenance strategy to a condition-based maintenance strategy. Detecting possible future failures is now a cost-effective reality that reduces considerably the risk of catastrophic failures and system breakdowns. The aIm of the study is to apply military logistic techniques to the industrial environment of North Coast Milling in order to identify downtime and cost drivers. It will be shown that more of the military logistics techniques can be incorporated into some of the existing maintenance techniques at this factory, which would aid in the achievement of maximum plant utilisation and minimum downtime.! / Thesis (MBA)- University of Natal, 2002.

1. Introduction and Context Oil as a source of energy is an undisputed reality of the age in which we live. The oil and petroleum industry is an essential and valuable part of the South African economy. It follows then that transportation in this industry is of crucial importance. Simply put, without the efficient transportation of the various crude and petroleum products, the energy requirements of the country could not be met. While there are various modes of transportation within South Africa servicing this industry, this study will concentrate on the carriage of crude oil and petroleum products by sea, and its handiing in the associated ports. The main objective will be to examine the pricing structure raised by the ports of South Africa against the oil industry for th'a transportation of the crude and petroleum products moving through the various ports. 1.1 Background During this researcher's tenure as a shipping agent on behalf of the oil majors in the ports of South Africa, the pori authorities' charges were dealt with on a regular basis. The inherent problems with the charges and the resulting conflicts created between the port authorities and the oil majors became quite familiar to the researcher during her years of working with the two parties. 1.2 Objectives of the Study This study will start by looking at the economic theory and principles of port pricing structures. Chapter Two will work toward outlining the optimal port pricing structure a port authority should adopt, in order to ensure it is working according to sound economic principles as well as meeting the various objectives of the stakeholders utilising the port's infrastructure, superstructure and services. Chapter will focus on the South African oil industry and the importance of crude oil and its petroleum derivates as an energy source. The industry will placed in larger context of SADC, the various role players will be identified and the modes of transport used for the carriage of crude and petroleum products will outlined. The chapter will close with a presentation of the product costing for the petrol price South African consumers' pay at the petrol pumps. Chapter Four presents an overview of the ports South Africa, their facilities, their management arrangements and their pricing structures. A brief. history of the ports will be followed by a discussion of the need a restructuring process and an outline the proposed privatisation process will be Following this, the current management structure related pricing tariffs will be detailed. Chapter Africa and will explore the relationship ben.veen of the ports of South oil industry. history of this relationship will be set out, followed by the current dynamics affecting it. The study will then move on to examine the oil industry infrastructure found in these ports in terms of ownership management of Port tariffs and the question of who actually pays what will be addressed. The that created and continue to create tensions between oil majors and the ports of South Africa will highlighted. The chapter will conclude by presenting an ideal pricing structure, which could work towards resolving some of these issues. Chapter Six will discuss two different international models based on energy demand and supply similar to South African situation. The port pricing structure of these models will then be compared to that of South African ports in order to present a best-working practice. The purpose of this is to bring in an international perspective for the ideal pricing structure presented with the conclusion in Chapter Seven. 1 Methodology of the study The researcher initially used interviews with the various bodies as a means of gathering information. These data were then verified against textual information sources. Statistical figures were gathered and correlated into formats, which could then verify -, or disprove -- different hypotheses put forward in the study. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

In South Africa, Store brands are sold throughout retailers in the country and categories are widespread - from beverages (milk, coffee, water, etc); including most confectionary categories; most household and toiletry categories; and from premium brands, to the more cost effective. Compared to the U.S and Europe, the South African market for store brands is not well developed; however, there are still mega opportunities in the own brand category, as the market is far from being saturated. Even though South African retailers are utilizing own brands as a means of differentiation, some studies are also indicating the lack of well tuned major store brand strategies and own brands were not perceived as of value by consumers as well. Therefore, this study is undertaken to establish a greater insight into consumer perceptions toward The No Name Brand food items by investigating the influence of selected economic, psychosocial and demographic variables. Without a solid understanding of the consumer, the available growth opportunities in the store brand category are likely to be missed.For retailers to take advantage of the opportunities in the store brand category a greater understanding of consumer behaviour is required. For that purpose, relevant theories and concepts of consumer behaviour are included in the literature review for the study. / Thesis (MBA)- University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.