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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
121

Mobile business : an analysis of the arising business potential

Thom, Torsten 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The goal of this research report is to provide a comprehensive overview of the new business potential that arises from the convergence of two of the fastest growing industries worldwide, namely the Internet and mobile communications. Most experts agree that this emerging mobile business market has great revenue potential. However, the initial market development has generally been very disappointing, because most service providers have not found ways to satisfy customer needs in this young, dynamic market. Since academic sources and best practices are rare in this new business environment. this study attempts to offer the necessary background and a sound decision base for successfully mastering the inherent challenges in this area. It focuses on mobile services to private customers. While concentrating on Western Europe, it nevertheless follows a global approach, which makes its results applicable to other industrialised world regions. After the possibilities of the enabling technologies are explored, the m-business market is analysed and the mobile service spectrum comprehensively evaluated. Furthermore, the requirements for customer acceptance and a mass-market breakthrough are determined, enriched by up-to-date findings of the writer's own market research. Mobile network operators are clearly dominating the m-business market, and their general misuse of power prevents the creation of fertile ground for a compelling mobile service spectrum. The clearly leading Japanese mobile service market is proof of bow cooperation and concentration on core competencies can create conditions for a fast market take-off, that benefits not only all value chain players, but especially the operators. It is crucial for the creation of successful mobile business applications to avoid the significant weaknesses of enabling technologies. Instead, mobile service providers need to use the valueadded characteristics in an optimal way. To continue merely to transfer offerings of the stationary Internet to the mobile medium will surely not suffice, since this only makes the limitations of the mobile technologies much more evident. Thus, in order to minimise these insufficiencies, the value-added characteristics of mobile technologies need to be exploited as intensively as possible. This means delivering highly time- and location-specific services that are simple and personalised. Even without considering the greatly inhibiting international roaming barriers, this can be done optimally in home networks. This strongly supports a mobile service development on national level. Overall, the focus must be on delivering what customers want, when they want it, at a cost that represents real value to the customer. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel met hierdie navorsingsverslag is om 'n omvattende oorsig te verskaf van die nuwe sakepotensiaai wat ontstaan uit die sameloop van twee van die wereld se snelgroeiendste industriee, naamlik die Internet en mobiele kommunikasie. Die meeste deskundiges is dit eens dat hierdie ontluikende mobiele besigheidsmark enorme inkomste-potensiaal bied. Aanvanklike markontwikkeling was egter tot dusver oor die algemeen uiters teleurstellend omdat die meerderheid diensvoorsieners nog nie metodes gevind het om die behoeftes van kliente in hierdie jong, dinamiese mark voldoende aan te spreek rue. Aangesien akademiese bronne en beproefde gebruike in die nuwe sake-omgewing maar skraps is, trag hierdie studie om die nodige agtergrond en 'n soliede besluitnemingsbasis te bied sodat die inherente uitdagings op die terrein suksesvol onder die knie gekry kan word. Hierdie studie fokus op mobiele dienste aan private kliente. Hoewel daar op Wes-Europa gekonsentreer word, word nietemin 'n globale benadering gevolg wat meebring dat die studie se resultate ook op ander geindustrialiseerde wereldstreke toepaslik is. Nadat die moontlikhede van die hulp-tegnologiee uiteengesit is, word die m-besigheidsmark geanaliseer en die mobiele dienssprektrum volledig geevalueer. Vervolgens word die vereistes vir klientaanvaarding en 'n omvangryke mark-deurbraak vasgestel en dan verryk deur bevindinge uit die skrywer se eie marknavorsing tot nou toe. Klaarblyklik oorheers mobiele netwerk-operateurs die m-besigbeidsmark en hulle algemene misbruik van mag verhoed dat 'n vrugbare teelaarde vir 'n noodsaaklike mobiele diensspektrum ontstaan. Die duidelik leidende Japanse mobiele diensmark bewys hoe samewerking en klem op kernbevoegdhede toestande kan skep vir 'n snelle markopswaai, wat nie net alle waardekettingspelers nie, maar veral ook die operateurs bevoordeel. Dit is deurslaggewend vir die skep van geslaagde mobiele besigbeidstoepassings dat die veelseggende swakhede van hulp-tegnologiee vermy word. Mobiele diensvoorsieners moet eerder die waardetoegevoegde eienskappe op gunstige wyse aanwend. Om bloot voort te gaan met die oordrag van aanbiedinge van die statiese Internet na die mobiele medium sal sekerlik nie voldoende wees nie aangesien die beperkinge van die mobiele tegnologiee sodoende veel meer sigbaar gemaak word. Derhalwe is dit nodig om die waardetoegevoegde eienskappe van mobiele tegnologiee so intensief moontlik uit te buit ten einde hierdie gebreke te minimaliseer. Dit beteken dat persoonlike en ongekompliseerde dienste, wat hoogs tyd- en plek-gespesifiseerd is, voorsien moet word. Hierdie kan optimaal binne tuisnetwerke gedoen word sonder om eens die hoogs belemmerende internasionale swerfversperrings in ag te neem. 'n Mobiele diens-ontwikkeling op nasionale vlak word sterk hierdeur aanbeveel. In die geheel moet die fokus wees om aan kliente te verskaf wat hulle wil he, op 'n tydstip wanneer hulle dit verlang en teen koste wat absolute waarde aan hulle bied.
122

Online golfing communities

Poggenpoel, Shadley (Shadley Carl) 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / AENGLISH ABSTRACT: With the advent of the internet a few years ago many online communities have been formed from traditional communities. The ability of a traditional community to transform into an online community depends on the type of interaction that is required by that particular community. Based on the arguments of various critics of the online community, this study will focus on the feasibility of transforming the golfing fraternity from a traditional to an online community. The study project therefore proposes to understand online communities as a subset within the general concept of community. It will be determined if the golfing community that currently falls into the traditional framework is open to create itself into a modern online community. The characteristics of traditional communities include bonding, sharing of information and other items of common interest which is similar for online communities. It is within this objective that the characteristics of online communities and the relationship between traditional and modern communities will be discussed. The first phase was to develop a questionnaire based on desirability and expectations of an online golfing community and for the purposes of this study, the research population comprised of the registered golf members of golf clubs in the Western Province Golf Union (WPGU) in the Western Cape. Furthermore there is within the Western Cape golfing community, possibly scope for a universal understanding of this community as a whole. Golfing communities can be defined through their unique characteristics. Golf communities are traditional communities that have evolved over time. Since modern communities are no longer constrained by geography the question arises whether, golf which has all the characteristics of a traditional community would be able to migrate to a modern online community. From the empirical study it became evident that the current golf community is open to using the internet to gain information on golf. The potential for the success of an online golfing community especially an interactive one in the future is great as the survey results show that the current membership are open to the idea of an online community.FRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Met die koms van die internet 'n paar jaar gelede, is baie aanlyn gemeenskappe vanaf tradisionele gemeenskappe ontwikkel. Die vermoe van tradisionele gemeenskappe om na aanlyn gemeenskappe te verander, is afhanklik van die tipe interaksie wat in daardie spesifieke gemeenskap benodig word. In die lig van 'n literatuurstudie oor die verskillende standpunte oor aanlyn gemeenskappe, is 'n ondersoek gedoen na die aanneemlikheid van die verandering van 'n tradisionele gemeenskap, naamlik die gholf gemeenskap, na 'n aanlyn gemeenskap. Die studie het daarom ten doel om aanlyn gemeenskappe te ondersoek as 'n sub-afdeling van die algemene gemeenskap konsep. Deel van die ondersoek behels die openheid van die gholf gemeenskap, 'n tipiese tradisionele gemeenskap, om 'n moderne virtuele gemeenskap te vorm. Die samestelling van 'n tradisionele gemeenskap beskik oor soortgelyke eienskappe as die van 'n aanlyn gemeenskap soos verbondenheid, die deel van inligting en ander items van gemeenskaplike belang. Dit is die doelwit van hierdie studie om die eienskappe van die aanlyn gemeenskap en die verwantskap tussen tradisionele en aanlyn gemeenskap te bespreek. Die eerste fase, was die ontwikkeling van 'n vraelys met klem op die wenslikheid en behoeftes van 'n aanlyn gholf gemeenskap. Die populasie vir die studie was lede van die Westelike Provinsie Gholf Vereniging (WPGU) in die Wes Kaap. Die data wat ontgin is uit die navorsing van die WPGU kan ook moontlik bydra tot 'n verstaan van die universele gholf gemeenskap in Suid Afrika. Gholf gemeenskappe kan gedefinieer word deur hulle unieke eienskappe. Hulle is tradisionele gemeenskappe wat ontwikkel het deur die jare. Sedert moderne gemeenskappe nie langer geografies beperk is nie moet die vraag gestel word of 'n tradisionele gholf gemeenskap tot 'n moderne aanlyn gemeenskap kan ontwikkel? Uit die literatuurstudie het die duidelik geword dat die huidige gholf gemeenskap oop is vir die gebruik van die internet om inligting oor gholf in te win. In die lig van huidige lede se aanvaarding van aanlyn gemeenskappe lyk die potensiaal en moontlikheid vir die sukses van 'n aanlyn gholf gemeenskap in die toekoms belowend.
123

Outsourcing vs. insourcing in the automotive industry : the role and concepts of suppliers

Nitschke, Christian 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University 2005. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research report takes an in-depth look at the automotive industry and their major participants in the upstream value chain. The different parties involved are the automotive manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers. The overall goal of the following report is to identify suitable business models for small to medium sized (SME) automotive suppliers. As the automotive value chain currently undergoes an evolutionary change towards a diminishing vertical integration of the OEMs, it becomes a challenging issue to reconfigure the responsibilities of the suppliers. Thereby OEMs and their suppliers have to cope with a shift from a functional to a process orientated value chain. During this reorganization of the OEM-supplier interface, enterprises realign their strategic intent towards their core competencies as well. Besides the shifting value chain, both suppliers and OEMs have to cope with a consolidation in their industries. This consolidation is impacted by stagnating traditional markets, an ongoing globalization of the value chain, and an increasing productivity pressure in the automotive industry. Looking at the automotive supplier, it becomes obvious that the suppliers are on the one hand challenged by productivity pressures and on the other hand have the opportunity to take over more business of the automotive value chain. The growth potential requires changes in the area of supply chain management and new types of collaboration in the supply network. This prospective development is mainly influenced by a trend towards the outsourcing of entire processes by the OEMs and the increasing need for future innovations in the automotive industry. After discussing the above mentioned issues, the report analyses the role of suppliers with respect to their main customers, the automotive OEMs. Based on the findings business models for suppliers are assessed and key success factors for small to medium sized suppliers are proposed and evaluated. The findings of the evaluation are translated into suggestions for most suitable business models of SMEs. The report concludes with recommendations for the strategy building process indicates problems concerning the shifting value chain, and points out the importance of further research in the field of the small to medium sized automotive supplier industry. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studieverslag ondersoek die motorvoertuig industrie met verwysing na die hoof deelnemers 'n die opwaartse waarde-ketting. Die partye betrokke is die motorvoertuigvervaardigers (OEMs) asook hul verskaffers. Die oorhoofse doel van die verslag is om gepaste sakeplanne vir klein en medium grootte (SME) ondernemings te identifiseer. Die motorvoertuig industrie se waardeketting ervaar tans 'n drastiese veranderingsproses - gekenmerk deur afnemende vertikale integrasie vanaf die OEMs - wat voortdurende nuwe uitdagings veroorsaak vir die innoverende verskaffer. Beide die OEMs en hul verskaffers moet dus aanpas met hierdie verandering - van funksioneel na proses-georienteerd - in die waarde-ketting. Tydens hierdie herstrukturering van OEM-verskaffer interaksie, moet deelnemers verseker dat die strategiese bedoeling in fyn ooreenstemming is met hul basiese bevoegdhede. Behalwe die verskuiwing in die waardeketting, moet OEMs asook verskaffers aanpas met samesmelting in hulle industrieë. Hierdie proses van samesmelting word beinvloed deur kwynende konvensionele markte, voortgesette globalisasie van die waardeketting, asook toenemende druk om produktief te wees in die motorvoertuig-industrie. 'n Ondersoek in motorvoertuig industrie verskaffers toon dat daar enersyds geweldige uitdagings ervaar word soverre dit produktiwiteitverbetering betref, maar andersyds daar ook geleendhede gebied word vir die verskaffer om verder te integreer deur oornames in die waarde-ketting. Om groei potensiaal te verwesenlik noodsaak dit veranderinge in die veld van verskaffingskettingbestuur, asook nuwe metodes van samewerking in die verskaffingsnetwerk. Hierdie moontlike tendens van integrasie word hoofsaaklik beinvloed deur 'n geneigdheid van OEMs om volledige prosesse te sub-kontrakteur asook deur die toenemende aanvraag vir voortdurende innovering in die motorvoertuig industrie. Laastens ondersoek die verslag die rol van die verskaffer vanuit die oogpunt van hul hoof kliënte, die OEMs. Na aanleiding van die verslag se bevindings word verskaffers se sakeplanne en modelle beoordeel en evalueer en word sleutel suksesfaktore vir die SME verskaffer voorgestel. Die uitslae van die evaluasie word verder verwerk tot in voorstelle wat gepas is vir die sakeplanne van meeste SMEs. Die verslag kom tot voltrekking met aanbevelings in die strategie bouproses rakende die veranderende waardeketting, en dui ook op die noodsaaklikheid van verdere navorsing onder die SME motorvoertuig industrie verskaffers.
124

Preventative strategies to ensure optimal managerial functioning

Droomer, L. 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In today's fast and highly competitive business environment, every manager is placed under increasing pressure. Managers are being confronted on a daily basis with situations where their management skills are tested to the utmost and critical decisions need to be made. These decisions are not always to everybody else's approval. In order to conquer these trying situations, it is necessary for every manager to equip himself by strategically planning how he is going to handle these situations. This study aims to present these critical managerial areas in a practical functioning model. From this model, certain levels indicating the different aspects having an influence on managerial performance, as well as their build-up, are discussed. In the various levels of the model, the possible tools enabling the manager to prepare himself, is presented through questionnaires, processes and models of self examination. Hereby every manager can preventatively plan and prepare himself to avoid personal stress and underperformance. The processes will support optimal managerial performance. The awareness of the different areas, as well as the use and application of the models, will enable every manager to identify areas of weakness in his personal performance. The importance of every area, as well as possible aspects to be kept in mind, is discussed in this study. As one can1 truly separate work and personal life, the tools proposed in this study will also greatly benefit personal development in every facet of life. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die hedendaagse snelveranderende en hoogs kompeterende bestuursomgewing word al hoe meer eise aan bestuurders gestel. Hulle word daagliks gekonfronteer met verskeie toetse en situasies, waartydens die mondering van bestuurders tot die uiterste getoets word en moeilike besluite geneem moet word. Hierdie besluite dra dan ook nie altyd almal se goedkeuring nie. Ten einde hierdie eise baas te raak, is dit nodig dat bestuurders hulleself moet toerus deur strategies hiervoor voor te berei. Hierdie studie het dus die doelwit om hierdie toerustingsareas in 'n praktiese funksionele model saam te stel. Vanuit hierdie model word die verskillende vlakke van toerusting, sowel as die opeenvolging daarvan bespreek. In die verskillende vlakke van die model word die moontlike toerusting wat elke bestuurder self kan volg uitgewys in die vorm van vraelyste, prosesse en stappe van selfondersoek. Hieruit kan elke bestuurder voorkomend strategiese beplanning en voorbereiding aanpak, sodat moontlike persoonlike spanning en wanprestasie verhoed kan word. Die prosesse sal bestuursprestasie tot die maksimum ondersteun. Die bewusmaking van die verskillende areas, asook die gebruik en die toepassing van die modelle, sal elke bestuurder in staat stel om leemtes in persoonlike prestasie te identifiseer. Die belangrikheid van elke area sowel as moontlike aspekte wat in elke vlak in gedagte gehou moet word, word Iydens die studie bespreek. Aangesien dit bykans onmoontlik is om 'n mens se beroepslewe en persoonlike lewe te skei, sal die hulpmiddels wat die dokument voorstel ook tot groot voordeel wees van persoonlike ontwikkeling in elke faset van die lewe.
125

Problems affecting the growth of microfinance institutions in Tanzania

Mukama, Julius 04 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)-- Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Microfinance services in Tanzania have existed for some years, yet have remained weak and slow to develop. Therefore, the objective of this study is to survey problems that impact on the growth of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Tanzania. MFIs in Tanzania include commercial banks, rural community banks, on-bank financial institutions, NGOs and Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOs). The problems in the microfinance sector are prioritised and show that the lack of sufficient capital to lend to clients is the problem that has the greatest impact on growth, followed by education level of clients. A number of these problems show agreement as expressed by the Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficients. The recommendations directly touch the provision of capital support to MFIs as a most priority criteria towards MFIs growth. Sufficient capital to lend to clients can decrease the impact of other problems that shows correlation with it, such as service quality to customers, attraction of low income earners, client focus, small and irregular cash flows from clients, as well as education level of clients. Finally, it is shown by a selected best practice matrix that solutions to problems impacting on the growth of MFIs in Tanzania depend on a combination of several best practices that can lead to sustainable solutions. Hence MFls may find a combination of relevant best practices that fit efficiently. effectively and economically to their respective operating environments. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mikrofinansieringsdienste in Tanzania bestaan al geruime jare, maar is ongelukkig swak ontwikkeld en toon stadige groei. Die doelwit van hierdie studie is om probleme te identifiseer wat impakteer op die groei van die Mikrofinansiering-instansies (MFI) in Tanzania. MFIs in Tanzania sluit in kommersiele banke, landelike / gemeenskapsbanke, niebank finansiele instansies, Nie-regeringsorganisasies (NGOs) en Spaar en Krediet Samewerkende Gemeenskappe (SACCO's). Die probleme in die mikrofinansiering-sektor is geprioritiseer en dui daarop dat die gebrek aan beskikbaarheid van voldoende lenings-kapitaal die grootste impak op die sektor het, gevolg deur die vlak van onderwys-opvoeding van kliente. Verskeie van die probleme gelys vind ooreenkomste by mekaar, soos uitgelig deur die "Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficients". Aanbevelings gemaak, hou direk verhand met die voorsiening van kapitale ondersteuning aan MFIs, as die belangrikste kriteria wat sal lei tot MFI groei. Voldoende leningskapitaal kan die impak van ander probleme wat verband hou met die tekort aan kapitaal verminder, soos onder andere die kwaliteit van klientediens, die lae-inkomste mark wat bedien word, kliente fokus, klein / ongereelde inkomste-strome van kliente, asook die onderwys-opvoedingsvlakke van kliente. Ter afsluiting, dit is getoon deur die beste praktykbeginse/s matriks, dat die oplossing vir probleme wat impakteer op die groei van die MFI sektor in Tanzania, afhanklik is van 'n kombinasie van verskeie beste praktykbeginsels wat kan lei tot volhoubare oplossings. Sodoende kan MFIs 'n kombinasie van beste praktykbeginsels vind wat effektief en ekonomies sal werk vir hulle onderskeie omgewings.
126

Strategic vision for the South African ready to drink market

Slabbert, Helgard 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The global RTD market was one of the fastest growing drinks categories in the world in 2002 and many brewers and spirits companies have entered the new market. The RTD category gained most of their volume from the young adult consumers and across the boundaries of wine. spirits and beer. The strategic vision of the RID market determine whether this is a short intense fashion or a permanent feature in the drinks market, given the historical precedence of the mid to late 1980's when the wine cooler boom and later the alcopops (alcoholic carbonates) phenomenon passed as quickly as it came. The purpose of the research report sets out to investigate the global RTD markets in order to determine the strategic vision for the South African market. The study did a review of the top tcn RID markets and then focussed on the strategies and performance of the Australian and United Kingdom markets, due to the level of development and similarities in culture of these markets with the South African market. The analysis of the global RID markets showed the three successful RTD models are female, androgynous and male RIDs and consumers perceived and use the three types of RTDs differently. Amongst the most important suggestions the author recommends that the biggest opportunity for the South African R TD category is to gain market share from the beer market in the male sector, which is by far the biggest seller of alcoholic beverages in South Africa. The current successes in the South African market came from female and androgynous brands, but it is very difficult to maintain brand loyalty within these segments due to the nature of the young adult consumers and female drinkers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die wereld gereed·om-te-drink (RTD) mark was een van die vinnigste groeiende drank kategoriee in die wereld in 2002 en baie brouerye en spiritualieë maatskappye het tot die nuwe mark toegetree. Die RTD kategorie het die meeste van sy volume verkry van die jong volwasse verbruikers en van verskillende kategoriee soos wyn, spiritualieë en bier. Die strategiese visie van die RTD mark bepaal of dit 'n gier of 'n permanente kenmerk in die drank mark is, soos voorafgegaan van die middel tot laat 19805 toe die wyn verfrissers en later die "alcopops" (alkoholiese karbonate) verskynsel so vinnig verdwyn het as wat dit gekom het. Die doel van die navorsingsverslag is om die wereld RTD mark te ondersoek om 'n strategiese visie vir die Suid-Afrikaanse mark te bepaal. Die navorsingstudie het die top tien RTD markte ondersoek en toe gefokus op die strategiee en doeltreffendheid van die Australiese en Verenigde Koninkrykte markte as gevolg van die vlak van ontwikkeling en ooreenkomste in kulture van die markte met die Suid-Afrikaanse mark. Die analise van die wereld RTD mark het getoon dat die drie suksesvolle vorme van RTDs is vroue, tweeslagtige en mans RTDs en dat verbruikers verstaan en gebruik die drie tipes van RTDs verskillend. Van die belangrikste voorstelle wat die skrywer maak is dat die grootste geleendheid vir die Suid-Afrikaanse RTDs is om mark aandeel van die bier kategorie in die mans sektor te verkry omdat dit die grootste alkohol kategorie in Suid-Afrika is. Die huidige sukses in die Suid-Afrikaanse mark het gekom van die vroue en tweeslagtige markte, maar dit is baie moeilik om die verbruikers lojaal te hou vir die RTD produkte in die segmente as gevolg van die aard van die jong volwasse verbruikers en vroue drinkers.
127

The development of a supply chain management policy for Lukhanji Municipality

Wilcock, Christopher Norman 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Local authorities, being at the coalface of government service delivery, have a statutory duty to deliver a wide range of services to their communities. Having limited resources themselves, and due to the poverty in their communities, municipalities aim to maximise the efficiency of their operations in order to be able to deliver appropriate quality services at the lowest possible cost. Municipalities are subject to a variety oflaws, regulations and policies which regulate the way in which they go about their business. In the context of supply chain management, the recently promulgated Municipal Finance Management Act and its associated Regulations and Guidelines is the most important of these. Supply chain management, defined by the MFMA to include procurement, disposal of assets and contract management, is an important issue in Lukhanji Municipality due to the amounts of money allocated to capital projects as well as to operations. Municipalities, as organs of State, are also required to implement policies which are aligned with other provincial and national polices and, in the context of supply chain management, which do not prejudice national economic policy. Municipalities, in addition to their service delivery role, have a mandate, conferred by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, to play a developmental role in their communities. They are required, in their procurement of goods and services, to apply preferential procurement processes in order to promote the use of: enterprises owned and managed by previously disadvantaged individuals; Small- Medium- and Micro-enterprises (SMMEs); local resources; and other marginalised individuals and groups. Municipalities are thus required to comply with statutory requirements and to strive for the achievement of social and economic objectives. The purpose of this study is to: describe all the current legislation, regulations and policies affecting municipal supply chain management; examine the conflicts arising from the different perspectives of the various statutory and policy requirements; describe the factors which constrain the municipality in its efforts to maximise the benefits arising from supply chain management activities; develop objectives for the supply chain management policy m terms of statutory compliance, social aspects and economic goals and which are not in conflict with each other; analyse the draft Supply Chain Management policy developed for Lukhanji Municipality to determine its efficacy in supporting the objectives developed; make recommendations regarding the final Supply Chain Management policy for Lukhanji; and propose further research arising out of the findings of this study. The main findings of the study are: some of the requirements of legislation and applicable policies are mutually exclusive and some compromises have to be made; the Supply Chain Management policy can be used as a tool to achieve socio-economic objectives while still complying with the statutory requirements; in particular, the Supply Chain Management policy can be used for the promotion of SMMEs, black economic empowerment, local economic development and job creation; a comprehensive set of socio-economic objectives and statutory requirements have been developed for Lukhanji Municipality's Supply Chain Management policy; the current high levels of provincial and national government spending on infrastructure development represent an opportunity for local economic development; the promotion of local SMMEs is an important element in increasing the multiplier effect, on the local economy, of the economic injection of the extensive infrastructure development currently in progress in the Lukhanji municipal area; the potential benefits are reduced by the capacity constraints and scarcity of resources within local government; and the draft policy prepared for Lukhanji will ensure compliance with the statutory requirements for supply chain management but needs to be amended to increase its efficacy in achieving Council's socio-economic objectives. The study highlighted several deficiencies in current knowledge especially in industries other than the construction industry. Research to test the hypothesis that the principles applicable to the construction industry can be applied to other industries is proposed. More research is also recommended to be done on establishing the link between spending on infrastructure and local economic benefits and how to maximise the benefits especially to increase local economic development, job creation and poverty. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Plaaslike owerhede staan op die voorpunt van die regenng se dienslewering aan die gemeenskap. Gekonfronteer deur hul eie gebrek aan hulpbronne, en die armoede van hul gemeenskappe word munisipaliteite genoodsaak om dienste van gepaste gehalte teen minimum koste te lewer deur om hul doeltreffendheid te maximiseer. Munisipaliteite is onderhewig aan 'n magdom wette, regulasies en beleide wat op hulle aktiwiteite van toepassing is. In die geval van voorsieningskettingbestuur is die Munisipale Finansiëlebestuurswet en gepaardgaande Regulasies en Riglyne die belangrikste wetstuk. Voorsieningsketting aktiwiteite, soos deur die Munisipale Finansiëlebestuurswet gedefineer om aankope, verkoop van bates en kontrakbestuur in te sluit, word as belangrik geag as gevolg van die hoeveelhede geld wat betrokke is. Die bedrae sluit in die allokasies aan kapitaalprojekte asook die lopende begroting. Munisipaliteite, in hul hoedanighede as Staatsinstansies, word verplig om alleenlik beleide wat provinsiale en nasionale beleid ondersteun toe te pas en, verder, om te verhoed dat hul beleide met nasionale ekonomiesebeleid teenstrydig is. Afgesien van hul diensleweringsrol word munisipaliteite, deur die Grondwet van die Republiek van Suid Afrika, ook belas met die plig om hul gemeenskappe te ontwikkel. Deur middel van hul aankope van goedere en dienste word munisipaliteite gelas om voorkeur aan die volgende te gee: Besighede wat deur voorheen benadeelde individieë besit en bestuur word; Klein- Middelmatige- en Micro-sakeondernemings; Plaaslike hulpbronne; en ander benadeelde individieë en groepe. Opsommend, moet munisipaliteite aan alle wetgewing voldoen terwyl hulle ook streef om sosiale en ekonomiese doelwitte te bereik. Die doel van hierdie studie is om: al die huidige wetgewing, regulasies en beleid wat van toepassing is te beskryf; die konflikte voortspruitend uit die verskillende oogpunte van die wetgewing en beleidstukke te ondersoek; die faktore wat die munisipaliteit strem in sy strewe om sy doelwitte te bereik; die formulering van die doelwitte van sy voorsieningskettingbestuursbeleid ten opsigte van die wetlike vereistes asook die sosiale en ekonomiese doele wat nie teenstrydig met mekaar mag wees nie; die ontleding van Lukhanji se voorgestelde voorsieningskettingbestuursbeleid om sy doeltreffendheid ten opsigte van die ondersteuning van sy doelwitte te bepaal; die formuleering van voorstelle rakende die finale beleid; en verdere navorsing aan te beveel. Die belangrikste bevindinge is: van die wetgewing en beleide wat van toepassing is het uiteenlopende vereistes wat sekere kompromieë noodsaak; die Raad se voorsieningskettingbestuursbeleid kan gebruik word om sy sosiale en ekonomiese doelwitte te bereik sonder om enige wetgewing te oortree; in besonder, kan die beleid die gebruik van Klein- Middelmatige- en Mikrosakeondernemings, swart bemagtiging, plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling en werkskepping bevorder; 'n volledige stel doelwitte vir voorsienings ketting bestuur is geformuleer; die plaaslike ekonomie kan voordeel trek uit die omvattende infrastruktuur ontwikkeling wat huidiglik in Lukhanji deur provinsiale en sentrale regering befonds word; die betrokkenheid van Klein- Middelmatige- en Micro-sakeondernemings kan die positiewe effek, op die plaaslike ekonomie, van bogenoemde ekonomiese inspuiting vermenigvuldig; die omvang van die voordele word egter deur die gebreke aan menslike en finansiele hulpbronne beperk; en Lukhanji se voorgestelde beleid sal verseker dat die munisipaliteit aan die wetlike vereistes voldoen maar sal moet aangepas word om sy sosiale en ekonomiese doelwitte te bereik. Die studie het uitgewys dat sekere kennis van voorsieningskettingbestuur in gebreke bly, veral in nywerhede anders as die konstruksie bedryf. Navorsing om die hipotese, dat die beginsels van die konstruksie bedryf ook in ander nywerhede toegepas kan word, te toets word voorgestel. Verder navorsing om die verwantskap tussen besteding aan infrastruktuur en plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling beter te verstaan word ook aanbeveel. Die gebruik van staatsbesteding om plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling en werkskepping te bevorder om armoede te bekamp is van kardinale belang.
128

The different phases of the leveraged buyout of the Cognis group'

Bolz, Steffen 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study project explains the theory of Leveraged-Buy-Outs and describes the different financial tools than can be used. Special emphasis is laid in the capital structure of a Leveraged-Buy-Out and its impact on the return for the investor. The theory is then put in perspective by giving insight in the case study of the Cognis Group, a speciality chemicals company, based in Germany. It was sold to Private Equity companies in 2001 and since then underwent various refinancing including the issuing of High Yield Bonds and the issuing of Payment-In-KindNotes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die teorie rakende gehefboomde bestuuroornames en die gebruik van verskillende finansiele instrumente by bestuursoornames word in hierdie werkstuk beskryf. Klem word gelê op die impak wat 'n verandering in die kapitaalstruktuur van die maatskappy op die belegger kan hê as gevolg van 'n gehefboomde bestuursoorname. Die teorie word toegelig deur te vervvys na die Cognis Groep maatskappye in Duitsland as gevallestudie. Die maatskappy het 'n bestuursoorname ondergaan in 2001 asook verskeie veranderinge in die kapitaalstruktuur daarna waar onder andere gebruik gemaak was van lae gehalte effekte.
129

The FDI potential of Botswana and Tanzania compared

De Kock, Michiel Josias 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: FOI has become a very important tool for the socio-economic development in developing countries. Three important factors need to exist before an investor will decide to invest in a foreign country. These factors are the presence of an ownership specific advantage, location advantages in the host country and superior commercial benefits for the investor. In order to detennine the host countries potential to attract FDI was it therefore important to analyse the second factor, which are the country specific advantages. The host country detenninants of UNCfAD and the ideal investment criteria of WAIPA have been combined in order to get a standardized framework for analysis and comparison. The starting point was therefore to analyse the availability of resources within these countries. In Botswana can we see that the diamond mining industry is the largest econOITllC contributor and in Tanzania do we find that their agricultural sector is the biggest economic contributor. In both instances do these countries have to import their oil, seeing that they are not producing their own petroleum products. Tanzania is exploring some opportunities with regard to oil reserves and also offers significant incentives for companies in this instance. In the case of Tanzania are the islands of Zanzibar a large tourist attraction and in Botswana does the Okavango delta offer a variety of tourist attractions. The potential of attracting FDI within these tourist industries is very large with regard to both countries. The domestic market in Tanzania is also much larger compared to that of Botswana and can offer the foreign investor with some great opportunities. Due to the small size of the domestic market in Botswana are they focusing more on export manufacturing and can we also see that their total exports are much larger than that of Tanzania. Exports under AGOA as a percentage of total exports to the US are currently almost double in Botswana compared to Tanzania. Through their membership to the SADe do both these countries have access to the European markets under the EU Free Trade Agreement. The European markets are also the largest markets for export in both cases. Efficiencies with reference to the banking system and physical infrastructure are also better in the case of Botswana. Botswana is rated as having one of the best banking systems in Africa. In order for Tanzania to improve trade within its region will it be important to upgrade their road and rail transport. The lack of skilled labour is a very big problem within both countries. The skill shortage is further worsened by the inefficiency of the education systems in order to address these problems. Electricity and' telecommunication is also very expensive in both countries, but can be addressed if the privatisation process within these sectors are speeded up. The biggest problem that both these countries face though is the significant impact that the HIV/AIDS virus is having and going to have on their current and future development. The tax laws in both these countries are very favorable and we can see that Tanzania and Botswana both have more attractive corporate tax rates than most of the other SADe states. Both countries are aiming at attracting FDI through export manufacturing and this is promoted through incentives such as duty· free imports of raw materials and special tax conceSSIOns. We can therefore see that both these countries have a lot of positive aspects, which will attract the foreign investor. The risk factor in combination with the negative factors will have to be weighed up against the positive factors, but in the end will it be the investor that has to decide which country 's characteristics suites its specific requirements best. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Direkte Buitelandse Belegging het 'n belangrike broan geword vir die sosio-ekonomiese ontwikkeling van ontwikkelende lande. Drie belangrike faktore is geidentifiseer wat teenwoordig moet wees alvorens so 'n buitelandse investering sal plaasvind, naamlik 'n eienaar spesifieke voordeel, tuisland liggingsvoordeel asook 'n besondere kommersieIe voordeel. Die liggingsvoordeel verwys na die spesifieke eienskappe van die gasheerland. Vir die doel van hierdie werkstuk wat is om te bepaal wat die potensiaal van die gasheerland is om buitelandse investering te lok, was dit dus belangrik om 'n reeks faktore te identifiseer wat gebruik kan word om as raamwerk van vergelyking te dien. Die gasheerland vereistes soos uiteengesit deur UNCTAD en die eienskappe van WAIPA is gekombineer om hierdie raamwerk te skep. Eerstens word daar dus gekyk na die natuurlike hulpbronne in hierdie twee lande. Nie een van die twee lande beskik oor olie hulpbronne nie en moet al hul olieverwante produktte invoer. Toerisme is 'n groot bron van inkomste en in die geval van Botswana speel die Okavango delta 'n groot roI. In Tanzania is die eilande van Zanzibar weer 'n groot toeriste aantrekking wat nog baie potensiaal vir ontwikkeling bied. Landbou in Tanzanie is die oorheersende ekonomiese aktiwiteit, waar die ontginning van diamante weer die grootse bydraende faktor tot die ekonomie van Botswana is. Tanzanie se plaaslike mark is ook baie groter as die van Botswana en het dus ook baie potensiaal vir ontwikkeling. A.g.v. Botswana se klein plaaslike mark word daar ook meer gefokus op uitvoer vervaardiging. Botswana vaar ook tans beter met die uitvoer van produkte na Amerika onder die AGOA wetgewing en totale uitvoere onder AGOA as persentasie van totale uitvoere na Amerika is bykans dubbel die van Tanzanie. Beide lande is lede van die SADC en geniet dan ook die voordele van die vrye handelsooreenkoms met die Europese Unie wat ook in beide gevalle die grootste uitvoermarkte van hierdie lande is. Onder die effektiwiteitseienskappe kan ons sien dat Tanzanie 'n drastiese verbetering aan hul pad en spoorvervoer netwerke moet aanbring om handel in hul streek te verbeter. Die hoe koste van elektrisiteit en telekommunikasie in beide lande is ook 'n bron tot kommer, maar kan beter aangespreek word indien die privatiseringsproses in hierdie sektore versnel word. Een van die grootste faktore wat ook dringende aandag in beide die lande sal moet geniet is die groot tekort aan 'n opgeleide werkerskorps. In beide gevalle sal die onderwysstelsels drastiese veranderings moet aanbring om hierdie probleem aan te spreek. Die rol wat HIV/VIGS speel m.b.t. lewenskwaliteit in hierdie lande is ook 'n bron van kommer wat die huidige en toekomstige ontwikkeling van hierdie lande gaan beinvloed. Korporatiewe belasting in beide lande is beter as in meeste van die ander SADC state. Die feit dat beide lande fokus op die uitvoervervaardigingsmark is daar baie goeie aansporingsinisiatiewe om die belegger te lok, soos bv. geen doeane tariewe op die invoer van rou produkte nie, in kombinasie met spesiale belasting toegewings. Dit is dus duidelik uit hierdie werkstuk dat elke land verskeie positiewe asook negatiewe aspekte het. Die uiteindelike keuse sal op die skouers van die belegger berus nadat aIle voor en nadele teen mekaar opgeweeg is oor watter land die beste aan sy spesifieke vereistes voldoen.
130

The impact of economic integration on the economy of Namibia

Smith, Francois 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Theory states that if a country opens its markets to free trade that it facilitates the better utilization of resources for all the parties participating in the agreement resulting to a relative lowering of production cost, the increase in export earnings, larger markets to benefit from economies of scale and subsequent investment in production facilities will increase employment and general welfare. Namibia has three major free trade agreements or economic integration arrangements namely the Southem Africa Customs Union (SACU), the Cotonou agreement defining its export regime to the European Union and the South Africa European Union Trade Development and Co-operation Agreement defining its import regime via the Southem African Customs Union and the African Growth and Opportunities Act defining its relationship with the United States of America. These agreements are at varying levels of integration with the Southem African Customs Union in place already in 1920. Namibia uses taxes on international trade as a primary source of state income (28% to 32 %). As part of its membership to the SACU's Common External Pool revenue distribution, Namibia is compensated for not being able to charge import taxes on South African imports. South Africa has determined trade policy for SACU since its exception and used tariffs more as a form of protection of its own industries, rather than a source of state income. The lowering of tariffs on EU imports by means of the SA EU TDCA as well as WTO obligations will see the reduction of state income of Namibia of an estimated amount of N$ 480 million [Schade 20051. This will have dire consequence for the Namibian economy as the deficit of the state budget is already 4.7 % as compared to a norm of 3%. In this study the growth in export earnings as well as the investment response of the various free trade agreements have been analysed. Contrary to theory, economic integration has not led to the desired growth in export earnings as well as significant investment responses due to preferential access provided by these agreements. Significant growth in exports is limited to specific sectors, notably fish to the European Union and apparel to the USA. Investments were also limited to these sectors. Free trade and preferential access did not lead to the diversification of the Namibian economy and has on the contrary inflicted severe blows to the critical beef industry in the near past and over the long term has led to trade diversion towards South Africa as well as the European Union. Investments and increases in export earnings are too little to offset the reduction of state income by the liberalization of tariffs and will result in Namibia becoming more marginalised if it does not counter the situation by better trade policies that are to be formulated along with the other SACU members. These policies will take time to be concluded as of yet none of the institutions of SACU has become operational. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die teorie van vryhandel bepaal as 'n land sy mark oopmaak vir vryhandel dat dit sal lei tot die verbeterde benutting van hulpbronne vir al die partye tot 'n vryhandelsooreenskoms deur middel van die verlaging van produksiekoste, die verhoging van uitvoerinkomste, die vergroting van markte wat kan voordeel trek uit skaal van, ekonomieë asook die verhoging van gepaardgaande belegging wat werkskepping en die algemene welsyn sal verhoog. Namibie is deel van drie vryhandelsooreenkomste of ekonomiese integrasie samewerking naamlik die Suider Afrikaanse Doane Unie (SADU), die Cotonou verdrag wat sy uitvoer na die Europese Unie bepaal, die Suid Afrika Europese Unie Handel, Ontwikkeling en Samewerkingsooreenkoms (SA EU TOCA) wat sy invoere vanaf Suid Afrika via die SADU bepaal en die African Growth and Opportunffies Act wat sy uitvoere na die VSA bepaal. Hierdie ooreenkomste is op verskillende vlakke van ekonomiese integrasie met SADU wat alreeds sedert 1920 bestaan. Namibie gebruik belasting op intemasionale handel as 'n primere bron van staatsinkomste (28% tot 32 %). Namibia word as lid van SADU gekompenseer deur middel van die Gemeenskaplike Eksteme Inkomste Poel vir die gebrek om invoerbelasting op Suid Afrikaanse produkte te hef. Suid-Afrika het sedert die ontstaan van SADU die handelsbeleid daarvan bepaal en het tariewe gebruik om sy eie industrieë te beskerm in plaas van 'n bron van staatsinkomste. Die verlaging van tariewe deur middel van die SA EU TOCA asook verpligtinge van die Wereldhandelsorganisasie sal tot gevolg hê die vermindering van Namibiese staatsinkomste van N$ 480 miljoen, Dit sal geweldige negatiewe gevolge inhou vir Namibie wat alreeds met 'n tekort op die begroting van 4.7% sit in vergelyking met 'n aanvaarde norm van 3%. In hierdie werkstuk is die groei in uitvoerverdienste asook die beleggingsreaksie van die verskillende ooreenskomste ondersoek. Daar is gevind dat desnieteenstaande die teorie, ekonomiese integrasie nie gelei het tot die verlangde groei in uitvoere of beleggings nie. Uitsondenike groei in uitvoere is beperk tot spesifieke sektore naamlik vis na die Europese Unie en klerasie na die VSA. Beleggings is ook beperk tot hierdie sektore. Vryhandel en voorkeurtoegang het nie gelei tot die diversifikasie van Namibie se ekonomie nie en het dit op die keper beskou gelei tot kritiese terugslae op die kritiese beesvleisindustrie in die nabye verlede en het dit oor die langtermyn gelei tot die wegleiding van handel na Suid - Afrika en die Europese Unie. Beleggings en toename in uitvoer is te min om die vermindering van staatsinkomste deur middel van die liberalisering van handel teen te werk. Dit sal tot gevolg hê dat Namibia al meer gemarginaliseerd gaan raak indien dit nie die situasie kan teenwerk deur middel van beter handelsbeleid wat bepaal moet word deur onderhandeling met ander SADU lede nie. Hierdie beleidsrigtings sal lank neem voordat dit van krag sal kom aangesien nie een van die SADU instellings al in volle bedryf is nie.

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