South Africa's re-integration into the global economy and the international political arena has brought about an active growth of business locally and internationally. Local companies are expanding into new markets and regions which require them to follow internationally acceptable and approved waste disposal policies in their production of goods and services. To achieve compliance, it is necessary that companies have the appropriate support and backup from waste disposal companies. Also, increasing pressure from environmental groups and government agencies makes it a prerequisite that a company's waste is properly disposed of in the most efficient, lawful and economical way. This research dissertation is aimed at identifying the key factors that impact on the levels of service in the waste industry and an attempt at evaluating the effects of the service levels to determine what actions are necessary to improve the levels of service in the waste industry. As a result, this research was carried out amongst producers of waste in certain areas of KwaZulu-Natal. Various techniques were evaluated in researching how to measure service quality. The most reliable measuring instrument to gauge service quality was found to be the SERVQUAL system. This measuring instrument was evaluated and then modified to suit the particular needs of the waste industry. The SERVQUAL system is a multi-item scale for measuring consumers perceptions of service quality. A sample of 75 companies was selected and senior management was interviewed. Based on the statistical analysis, the discrepancy between service expectations and service delivery in the waste industry is wide. Urgent attention needs to be focused on service delivery, especially reliability, assurance and responsiveness by waste disposal companies. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

This research was conducted to determine whether the intrinsic share values that are obtained using the EVA valuation model are an indicator of share prices as quoted on the JSE Securities Exchange. The research did not differentiated between companies that have implemented EVA in South Africa and those that have not. The research was conducted by performing EVA intrinsic share price calculations for 43 companies listed on the JSE Securities Exchange. These EVA share prices were correlated to the actual share price as quoted on the JSE Securities Exchange, for the current and lagged periods of one and two years. The resultant correlation coefficients were tested for significance at the 5% level. The results show that there is no statistically significant correlation between the EVA intrinsic share values and the share price as quoted on the JSE in both the same and lagged periods. Hence we cannot conclude that EVA is an indicator of share price. / Thesis(MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

The broad objective of strategic management is to enable an organisation to assess its strategic position, so it is able to provide its customers with a product or service they will value. This study attempts to use this broad objective to examine the Sports Administration Department at the University of Natal, Durban to identify issues that will assist it to reach a wider number of students. The Sports Administration has, over the last ten years, seen a reduction in sports participation. This occurred at a time when the number of students at the University had grown substantially. This resulted in a need to examine the complex dynamics taking place in the Sports Administration's operating environment, for it to be in a position to address the needs of the students it is established to serve. This study indicates that strategic management principles, which apply to a business organisation, can be applied to the setting of the Sports Administration to identify the needs and wants of its customers, to address the concerns of management and to make recommendations that will assist the Department to provide an improved service to students. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Maintenance philosophies have evolved over a period of time. These philosophies have evolved from breakdown maintenance to ReliabilityCentred Maintenance (RCM). By performing proper maintenance on plant equipment, organisations' goals can be achieved. This forms the basis of the Total Productive Maintenance strategy, which aims to support business goals. Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) is based on the integrated manufacturing system approach that includes process control, quality assurance, safety and maintenance. Some organisations in South Africa have taken an initiative to implement the Total Productive Maintenance program. This research study confirms that organisations that have implemented the TPM program have had increased productivity, reduced costs and improved the quality of their products. Secondly, factors that affect successful implementation of the Total Productive Maintenance program are identified. Through training of all the employees on TPM, encouraging teamwork and systematically implementing the TPM program, the organisations' competitiveness can enhanced. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Historically, due to the policy of Apartheid, the South African labour market was beset with inequality in access to education, skills, managerial and professional work. Labour practices were based on race and ethnicity instead of talent, creativity and endeavour. Today, most major organisations in South Africa are staking their future growth on equity in the workplace. With the introduction of the Employment Equity Act (No. 55 of 1998), employers have a responsibility to take proactive steps in eliminating unfair discrimination and to promote equity in the workplace, especially with regard to people from the previously disadvantaged groups, namely Africa, Indian and Coloured people, women and the disabled. The objective of this research is to critically evaluate how South African Financial Institutions have progressed in creating an employment structure based on equal opportunity and non-discrimination. This will be done using the ABSA Groups employment equity strategy as a case study. Employment Equity in South African organisations has become essential. The business community at large therefore faces a very realistic challenge in order to initiate appropriate strategic moves and accelerate the much-needed impetus for change. Organisations will have to identify and eliminate unfair and discriminatory policies and practices so as to comply with the Employment Equity Act. As difficult as this may be, it is crucial that organisations comply with the Act or else heavy penalties will be imposed for their transgressions. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

The South African Clay Brick Industry has experienced major change in the last 9 years. Industry driving forces such as globalization, low industry growth rates and government policy changes have affected the local industry as have the bank interest rates and the relative weakness of the SA currency. These industry-driving forces have resulted in a number of local producers undertaking exports of products. The research underlying this report had a threefold objective: a) To identify the key factors affecting the sustainable export of clay products by SA producers. b) To evaluate the key factors affecting the sustainable exports of products by SA producers. c) To utilize the information gathered to identify the critical success factors that support or discourage export development in the Clay brick Industry. The key factors were also used to develop a export success model and assist the aspiring exporter through the process. In order to research the key success factors, it was necessary to firstly analyze modern business strategy and evaluate the chosen strategy. Thereafter, an industry analysis was carried out and the present situation within the industry evaluated. Research was conducted by means of a questionnaire and selected interviews with the industry. The results from the research make it possible to reach conclusions regarding critical success factors and specific factors that will assist the industry in its export drive. The research also identified a host of government -sponsored export incentives that will support the industry in growing exports. Finally, a number of recommendations were made that will go a long way in addressing industry challenges. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

This research evaluated the strategic management practices of the Kingsgate Clothing Group, which operates within the clothing and textile industry. The industry is undergoing dramatic changes since the opening up of the South African economy and the advent of globalisation. These changes have occurred within the political and economic spectrum and include factors such as trade and tariff agreements, changes in labour legislation, exports, illegal imports which has impacted on the organisation. A framework on strategic management was developed highlighting the factors necessary for strategy development, key issues in the external enviroment, strategic capabilities, organisational structure and culture and leadership issues. Various strategic management tools were used to analyse the Kingsgate Clothing Group's present strategy in the light of the changing industry conditions. These tools included value chain analysis, financial analysis and SWOT analysis. Based on the conclusions drawn from the analysis recommendations were made on the company's future strategy and the way forward in order for them to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2002.

Two cases from public health care levels were compared on practises used to manage working capital with two cases from the same levels of health care in private health sector. The objective was to establish whether the practises in public health sector comply with the efficient management of working capital principles and whether it was practically feasible to apply the methods in health care provision. Primary and secondary data was collected. Staffs at an operational and administrative level were interviewed at both the primary and the Secondary health care. It was found that principles of working capital practiced in private sector are mostly consistent with working capital theories and could actually be implemented effectively in public health sector without risking patient health. Inefficiencies were identified in the public sector at both an operational and administrative level especially at a secondary health care level. Finally the study makes recommendations on how to address such inefficiencies. / Thesis(MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

The following is an exploratory study, of a newly formed company called Duys Aftermarket Components (D.A.M). D.A.M was formed out of Duys Component Manufacturers (D.C.M) a division of The Duys Group. The reason for forming D.A.M came about due to an environmental change. Toyota was D.C.M's main client and the whole business was geared around them, until Toyota announced that they would no longer be fitting bull bars and roll bars (D.C.M's core products), at factory level. So, in do or die mode, D.A.M was formed to focus attention on the automotive aftermarket, to find clients for the products that the company was so proficient at making, while D.C.M attempts to find new products for the Toyota factory. This study follows a gap analysis type approach. First, the theoretical ideal is laid out and discussed in detail. Next, facts pertaining to D.A.M and its environment are gathered in the form of a case study. Matching these two sections together allows an analysis of the changed environment and of the company's resources and internal workings. From this analysis, strategic models are created and grand strategies formed which are then tested for suitability against the same internal and external factors previously discussed. From the grand strategies, the study generates more specific courses of action as options for the management of Duys to consider. These are optional ways in which the management might consider breaching the gap between the theoretical ideal laid out and the current situation. The expectation is that the research will develop a workable strategy for the management of Duys to work with and to build on, in an emergent fashion. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.