The accounting higher education sector is becoming increasing competitive, with institutions jostling for position in the eyes of prospective students. Without adequate attention to the quality of education provided, little headway will be possible, and the institution will have to settle for second, or even third, place in the student's mind. Institutions cannot rely on past successes to attract top students, and a new approach is needed. This research presents a possible answer to the quality problem faced at the University of Kwazulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg campus) in the School of Accounting. It involves the use of SERVQUAL to measure students' satisfaction levels with the quality of service and education received. The approach involves gathering students' perceptions, analyzing them, and making suggestions about the correct path to follow in a bid to enhance the institution's standing in the accounting community. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

No abstract available. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

This is a study on NMB and seeks to establish what the bank could do, through the implementation of CRM, to attract new customers and retain existing ones in the face of intensifying competition. The number of banks in Zimbabwe has increased tremendously over the last five years from less than seven to over fifteen. Ironically, this has taken place against a background of an ailing economy, which is shrinking and a reducing number of viable companies that can be targeted for banking business. A review of the history of banking in Zimbabwe was undertaken to show how NMB decided on CRM as a means of making a difference with customers and thus have a competitive edge over its rivals. In particular, the attitude of banks to customers and customer expectations was looked at together with the changes that have taken place over the years. Literature on CRM was reviewed and more attention was paid to the main causes of failures in the implementation ofCRM and how this could be avoided in the case of NMB. Lessons were drawn from what other banks like Nedcor and Standard Corporate and Merchant Bank (both of South Africa) have done to ensure a good measure of success in the implementation of CRM. Research was done to establish what it is that attracts customers to NMB, what NMB does better than its competitors and areas that NMB needs to improve on. Questionnaires (Appendices I and 11) were used in this regard and samples of customers from the three main sections of the bank (Treasury, Corporate Banking and Retail) were taken. The questionnaires had two sections, one with a select number of responses to choose from and the other open to unrestricted responses by the customers. The responses were analysed and presented in tabular form. Interviews were carried out on certain customers to get clarification on some responses to the questionnaires and to get firsthand feedback from different customers on their relationship with the bank. The major study findings were that customers greatly appreciate the personal attention that they are getting from NMB, which gave it an edge over its competitors. Customers value the fact that they can speak confidently to their bank knowing that their allocated Account Relationship Manager fully understands their business and that they have specific person/s to contact in the case of need. Regular visits and contact by NMB personnel was also cited as a strength. In one case, a customer related during an interview that no one from the previous bank had visited him in two years despite the fact that his office was less than one hundred meters from that bank! The study recommends a phased implementation of CRM with technology used as a tool and not as a champion of CRM. The emphasis is to be placed on the customer, the bank staff, the operational processes and maintaining the bank's strategy in focus. Unless all in the bank (from messenger to the CEO) share the same view of the customer's importance, CRM will be destined to fail due to inconsistencies within the system. On the other hand, unless the bank has a motivated, well informed and customer focused work force, then it is in vain that it is pursuing CRM. Operational processes too, must be refined with the primary objective of benefiting the customer and not merely for the convenience of the bank. The bank's strategy must keep customer interests at the fore since customers are the cause of the bank's existence. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2002.

This study examines customer care at University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg (UNP). It investigates the quality of service received by students, from support departments, during registration. Data was collected via a simple random sample within the three libraries (Main, Law and Life Sciences) on campus. This ensured that students from the different faculties had an equal probability of being part of the survey, providing a true representation of the campus population. The research instrument was a questionnaire, 300 of which were administered to establish the attitude and helpfulness of staff from the departments of Finance, Financial Aid, Library, Risk Management Services, Student Admissions, Student Counselling and Student Housing. A total of 287 students responded. The software package that was used to run all the analyses was SPSS version 9. Results are graphically displayed in the form of bar graphs, tables and a pie chart. Interpretation of the results reveals that the overall rating for all departments ranged from average to excellent. Recommendations are made in light of the results of the survey and the literature reviewed. / Thesis (MBA.)- University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

The Minimum Requirements for Waste Disposal by Landfill forms part of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry's Waste Management Series that establishes a reference framework of standards for waste management in South Africa. It also facilitates the enforcement of the landfill permitting system provided for in terms of Section 20 of the Environment Conservation Act, 1989 (Act 73 of 1989). The minimum requirements (MR) are standards by which environmentally acceptable waste disposal practices can be differentiated from unacceptable practices. The need for environmentally acceptable yet cost-effective waste disposal has become a priority in South Africa. This is because increasing population and urbanisation have resulted in growing waste generation, placing pressure on the environment. There is also an increasing awareness of environmental issues and a desire for a clean environment on the part of the public. To ensure a cleaner environment, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, with whom responsibility for waste disposal is currently vested, has been tasked to meet both current and future waste disposal needs. The aim of the Department is to protect the environment and the public from the impacts of bad waste disposal practices. It has been found that whilst there is sound legislation in place, many local authorities do not comply for various reasons. The Minimum Requirements will be evaluated and a case study approach and a local authority in the KwaZulu-Natal province will be selected. The research is envisaged to highlight areas of capacity/incapacity and to identify a set of resource requirements that may be required to ensure compliance at local authority level and ultimately to the legislation that promulgates it. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Admin.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1991.

This research sets out to examine how media are utilised by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture through the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation in collaboration with specific leisure tourists destinations to promote domestic leisure tourism in Lesotho. The research relied on the use of unstructured interviews based on interview schedule in order to elicit comment, opinion and information from respondents. The researcher also used questionnaire to establish the appropriate media that could be used by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture through the Lesotho Tourism Development Co-operation to promote leisure tourism in the country. Through these interviews and questionniare, problems that surround media promotion of domestic leisure tourism were also identified. These problems include financial constraints and limitations that are set by the Government in choosing the type of media that has to be used by the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation to promote tourism in the country. The study discovered other weak areas in the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation’s marketing of domestic tourism. Suitable recommendations have been made as to how such flaws could be addressed in order that it could increase the numbers of domestic leisure tourists. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.

Pharmaceuticals are a crucial component of delivering healthcare, hence regulating pharmaceutical markets is a complex issue involving dynamic interplay of multiple actors. The South African healthcare industry is plagued with past problems and new ones created by cumbersome legislation, changing economic conditions and rapid cost escalation. The core objectives of the 2004 medicines pricing legislation were; effective care and use of resources; high quality services and responsiveness; accessibility and affordability of medicines for consumers. This study explores the impact of the new medicine pricing regulations on independent community pharmacies in KwaZulu-Natal, wherein 115 out of a total of 364 independent pharmacies participated. The main aim was to determine the number of pharmacies that closed and the emerging trends in this sector by qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing the legislation, policy implementation and its impact on various stakeholders. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews; a survey questionnaire and document analysis. The study revealed that, more consultation was needed for a sustainable dispensing fee since between 72 and 83 pharmacies had closed in KZN from 2003 to 2009; due to them being uneconomical. Tools used to illustrate legislative impact were Porter’s value chain, Force-Field analysis and the Fish-Bone diagram. The emerging trends underscored government’s need to provide a democratic environment conducive to small business growth, with the recommendation that policy makers strategically respond to the real world in which health sector reforms must be implemented. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2009.

In January 2008 the South African power grid operated by Eskom became severely constrained because electricity demand exceeded supply. Following the immediate measure of load shedding, Eskom implemented a medium term strategy of Power Conservation to encourage consumers to reduce their power usage so that overall demand could be managed. Despite the extensive campaigns the 10% electricity savings target was not met in 2008. The aim of this study was to review the experiences of other countries that had successfully implemented Power Conservation Programmes and to research the different approaches that were taken in other countries to encourage behaviour change. A survey and quantitative analysis was undertaken on a sample of electricity consumers within the eThekwini Municipality Central Region to gauge the response of consumers to the power conservation campaigns conducted within the municipality. The analysis was done to determine how the response had varied among the various groups by taking into account demographic factors like age, gender and income level. The population of the sample frame was estimated at 15 000 customers. Two hundred and eighty responses were received and analysed. A salient finding of the study was that the majority of respondents were aware of the reasons for power conservation and the campaigns undertaken, but that there was a preference for Government to lead the initiative and subsidise the required savings measures. A second important finding was that different demographic groups implemented different savings measures, for different reasons and preferred different strategies to encourage savings. The main recommendations made were that Government should lead the savings drive, with customised campaigns for different demographic groups. The campaigns should place greater emphasis on the financial benefits to be gained. It was necessary for new and different savings measures to be communicated. Further, the was a need for Government to introduce legislation to enforce electricity savings. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2009.

Director interlocks have concerned shareholders, the public and legislators since the early 1900’s. In 1914 the Clayton Act prohibited interlocking directorates among competing corporations in the USA. Research has been performed since the 1930’s covering stock exchanges around the world, however very little information was available concerning director interlocks in South Africa. This paper analysed interlocking directorships of the Top 40 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange using key metrics as per Newman and Conyon’s Small World theory, comparing the results to research on Italian, French, German, UK and US companies performed in 2008 by Santella, Drago, Polo and Gagliardi. South Africa was found to be closest to Italy, between the low density models (UK and US) and the significantly higher density models (Germany and France), suggesting that rather than just the two camps, there is a continuum currently reflected as the UK, US, South Africa, Italy, France and Germany. The presence of directors with multiple directorships and having significant influence in the network suggests systemic collusion is possible. Analysis performed on the composition of JSE boards showed that many of the King III Code requirements (presence of Non-Executive Directors, split of Chairman from Chief Executive amongst others) are met while some, such as the annual rotation of one third of directors and the independence of directors is problematic. There is still much that can be learned through enhancing the research coverage to provide a factual basis for understanding the impact of legislation and governance codes on the South African network, as well as to perform holistic research covering the combined network formed by board on exchanges across the globe. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.