This dissertation relates to the study of the financial market of Mauritius, which is categorised as "Emerging". Its performance as an exchange system has been assessed with a view to find whether it is operationally efficient. Consequently, two issues in portfolio management have been analysed. In the first instance, the risk reduction effect of increasing portfolio size, based on the simple diversification strategy has been experienced. Secondly, the hypothesis that investment in low P/BV shares on average yields higher returns than investment in high P/BV shares has been tested. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2002.

Autonomy involves more or less the right of the responsible administrative officers, management and presidents to govern the institutes free of outside control. The concept of autonomy implies, in addition to the latitude required for administrative action required by executives, the freedom of the academic departments of the colleges and the research institutes within the institutions to make most of the decisions of academic and professional management. Recent developments in Lesotho higher education have led to substantial changes in the relationship between government and higher education. The mechanisms of steering and regulation of the systems have moved from the model of centralised government in favour of increased institutional autonomy; the introduction of quality assessment systems, and an increased demand for institutional accountability. Providing autonomy to institutions in Lesotho has a potential of delivering quality service because there is free choice, which involves providing a wider range of options both for students and learning institutions. Institutions are free to choose any strategy that may bring quality service for the students. The aim of this study is to carry out an evaluation of the effectiveness of autonomy strategy in delivering quality service at LCE. In carrying out an analysis of this strategy, Pearce / Robinson guiding theoretical strategic decision-making process model is used. The Lesotho College of Education (LCE) Mission, external and internal environment are analysed Recommendations are made whether or not autonomy is the viable option for LCE to deliver quality service to students. The data obtained from this study indicates that autonomy is a suitable and an acceptable strategy to pursue, but not feasible as LCE lacks the financial and human resources necessary to fulfil the necessary requirements for autonomy as will be explained in the study. Other recommended strategies are the concentric and diversification strategies. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

South Africa's re-integration into the global trading economy and its participation in various trade agreements has resulted in an increase in the number of import and export transactions processed by the South African Revenue Services Customs Division. Importers and Exporters are expanding into new markets and regions, which require them to adhere to the legislative administrative requirements, enforced at the various designated Customs branch offices. To achieve Customs compliance, it is necessary that importers and exporters make the correct declaration to the SARS and make available the appropriate documentary information to support import and export transactions. Also, increasing pressure from other government authority and government agencies makes it a prerequisite that any goods cleared for either import and export is properly declared taking cognisance of all Acts enforced by the SARS Customs Division. This research dissertation is aimed at identifying the key factors that impact the SARS Accreditation Scheme / Program to both legitimate and illegitimate traders, it evaluates the benefits of the Accreditation program and determines what actions that are required by the SARS and traders to improve the levels of client service and Customs enforcement by the SARS Customs Division. Based on the analysis, the discrepancy between the current service expectation of the SARS Accreditation Scheme and service delivery by the SARS Customs Division urgently needs to be reviewed in light of Customs enforcement and Customs trade facilitation practices. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

The study investigated the perception of Business Management students towards the grey market industry. An extensive literature review on customer satisfaction, buyer behaviour and market segmentation was undertaken. The research instrument took the form of a questionnaire, using five-point likert scale questions, multiple rating list scale questions and dichotomous questions. The questions were distributed to a sample of ninety students. The study is based on fifty returned questionnaires. The descriptive statistics were generated using the SPSS software program. The study is concluded with recommendations, which Govan Mani may wish to consider during its strategic planning process. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

In order to survive in today's competition, organisations are faced with a challenge of continuous improvement. At the core of any improvement efforts in the production and marketing of goods and services there is. quality improvement. Product or service quality has become one of the elements that give an organisation a competitive edge over its competitors, since today's customers logically take purchasing decisions based on what they pay for versus the price paid. For businesses, a race to customer satisfaction is infinite, customer satisfaction is no longer a choice but the only means for survival for many organisations. Therefore, organisations do all that is in their powers to satisfy customers, retain or increase the market share, make profit and survive in the business. In view of such a tough business environment it has become necessary to study the two important business concepts namely product quality and customer satisfaction. The question is whether the efforts put on producing and supplying the best quality of products enhance customer satisfaction. In other words, are the two concepts related in some way? The aim of this study is to describe relationships between product quality and customers satisfaction in the aviation market of the oil industry, specifically Air BP market. Since customer satisfaction is also manifested through other ways like product demand and customer loyalty, the research also studies the relationships between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty, as well as' customer satisfaction and product demand. Finally the relationships between product quality, product demand and customer loyalty are studied as indications of customer satisfaction. While emphasising on relationships, the study also describes the significance and importance of various quality dimensions to Air BP customers. It explains various quality definitions and dimensions and determines the most significant ones to the aviation market. The study also looks at the importance of product quality in comparison with price and service given to customers. Finally conclusions are drawn on the hypotheses and recommendations are given to Air BP. While the study recommendations are not prescriptive, they provide necessary information relevant to Air BP Marketing in a pursuit for customer satisfaction, customer retention and market share. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

The Acerinox Group has recently acquired Columbus Stainless. With this acquisition, came a dramatic change in operations philosophy. This involves maximisation of product volumes and a low cost strategy throughout the plant. This paper serves to present the management dilemma currently present at Columbus Stainless: Is the current Corporate Maintenance Strategy able to support the manufacturing strategy as laid down by Acerinox? Is there a breakdown in synergy between this corporate maintenance strategy and plant-specific maintenance strategies and why? As part of the research methodology a construct has been developed to perform a gap analysis between World Class/Best Practice maintenance practices and the Columbus Stainless and plant-specific maintenance strategies. A gap analysis is also performed between the Columbus Stainless Maintenance Strategy and the plant-specific maintenance strategies at the Hot End of the organisation. A questionnaire is also used to determine the maturity level of the maintenance management in terms of World Class/Best Practice maintenance theory, the Corporate Maintenance Strategy and plant-specific maintenance strategies. This study has found that the Corporate Maintenance Strategy is able to support the maximisation of volumes and low cost strategy by comparing the World Class/Best Practice maintenance practices found in grounded theory, to the Corporate Strategy and to the plant-specific strategies. The results from this study also find that there is a breakdown in synergy between one plant at the Hot End of the organisation and the Corporate Maintenance Strategy. The reasons for the breakdown in synergy are identified and recommendations are made accordingly. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Duban, 2003.

The world is changing more rapidly than ever before. Today's most successful organizations are changing fast and having to make sure that its internal changes are keeping pace with what is happening in the external environment. The process of organizational change can be complex and messy. The responsibility of leaders is to guide employees and the organization through the change process. Employees often view change as disruptive and painful, resulting in stress. This study examines a company that has undergone, and continues to undergo a fast pace of change. The aim of this research is to examine the effect that employee perceptions of change leadership have on their level of stress with a view to exposing the linkages, if any, between these concepts. If such linkages are perceived to exist, then well-conducted and communicated organizational change will be successful in yielding the desired results. Effective change can only be achieved through employees that are motivated, participating in and owning the organizational change. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Background: The Facilities Management Division (OMPFM) of Old Mutual Properties was created in 1998 when Old Mutual Properties (Pty) Ltd (OMP) was formed. Old Mutual Properties was previously a division within Old Mutual. Initially the Facilities Management division outsourced most of its services to Facilities Management service providers, and managed the contracts, while they sold their services, as Facilities Management Consultants, in the market. In May 2003 the Facilities Management division was restructured in order to become an active participant in the Facilities Management market. Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to analyse the Facilities Management Division, and the environment in which it now operates. This needs to be done in order to determine if its differentiation strategy that it has taken is suitable, and secondly in which ways it should differentiate itself in the market. Methods: A qualitative research methodology has been followed for this project, and it has been based on a case study of OMPFM and the Facilities Management industry in South Africa. In order to meet the objectives of this report all the relevant theory had to be identified and discussed, which could be used to analyse OMPFM and the external environment in which it operates. The theory was then applied to the case study and OMPFM was analysed in detail. Conclusion: Finally, we have included some recommendations, which we believe will firstly consolidate OMPFM's position within the market, and then differentiate it from its rivals. We believe that the recommendations highlighted would assist OMPFM in achieving their objectives and ultimate mission. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2003.

This study looks at what Sasol must do to retain senior black managers. The findings of this study are based on the perspectives of a group of black professionals who went through a two year program referred to as Sasol's Accelerated Leadership Development Program (ALDP). Given the fact that the company has acknowledged the problem of having senior black managers in its ranks, the objective is to use their own perspectives on what Sasol must do to retain them. The question of retaining employees is critical given the stiff competition that Sasol operate in and also taking into account the fact that Sasol is expanding outside the borders of South Africa. The respondents pointed out that there are a number of issues which Sasol's management must look at in order for them to stay in the company. The issues raised relate to Sasol's corporate culture which is perceived not to be accommodative of a diverse work force, the management style which is seen as conservative and bureaucratic. Over and above that, the predominant use of Afrikaans, whilst English is the official business language is seen as an obstacle for non-Afrikaans employees to stay in the company. Other issues raised are the Senior Mannekrag Beplanning Kamer (SMBK), a process used for the promotion of senior managers which is seen as not representative. The respondents felt that they need to be given challenging work assignments and be given opportunities for career growth and development. Equally important is the question of the work environment in general which is not seen as embracing diversity and remuneration and benefits which are seen to be fair and competitive. The findings are indicative of the importance of informing retention strategies with the views of the very employees that must be retained. These results further suggest that a planned approach which is inclusive of stakeholders is appropriate rather than an imposed plan. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

The Zimbabwean economy had reached historically low levels in terms of its performance. Coupled with this, the country's volatile political environment saw many once prosperous business ventures struggling for survival. One of the immediate options followed by many organisations was the undertaking of mergers with similar or related companies in a bid to ensure continued growth. Among the hardest hit industries by the economic decline was the advertising industry. In order to maintain its market dominance, the Ogilvy and Mather group of Zimbabwe (comprising Barker McCormark and CM & A) embarked on discussion with a smaller rival, Carroll O'Donovan Hardy TBWA. The discussions would culminate in a merger of the three agencies in September 2001. From the onset the merger was characterised by a series of staff resignation particularly from Carroll O'Donovan Hardy and CM & A. In addition, existing clients began to complain about the handling of their business. The study will examine the causes for these grievances and assess the impact of the group's post merger strategies aimed at consolidating the merger. It will examine the group's capability at maintaining the sustainable growth that was envisaged at the time of merger. An assessment of whether post merger strategies at Ogilvy and Mather Zimbabwe are successful in terms of their impact on employee and customer retention will be conducted. Based on the findings, a best case scenario will be mapped out so as to ensure Ogilvy and Mather maintain their market dominance of the advertising industry in Zimbabwe The next chapter will develop a theoretical framework for strategies aimed at successful post merger management. This framework will be used to analyse the effect of the merger at Ogilvy and Mather and provide guidelines on the best way possible in a post merger environment of its nature. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.