Study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines the role of the board of directors of private and public companies. The focus is on "directing" (and not managing) - in view of the policy and strategic dimensions of boardroom activities. The second step focuses on the sustainability issue - the what and why of this important core governance value. A modem board is responsible for business strategy development and ensuring that a strategic planning process is in place, is used, and produces sound choices. The board must monitor the implementation of current strategic initiatives to assess whether they are on schedule, on budget, and producing effective results. Second King Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa (King II) has lately amended these responsibilities to include recommendations on minimum practices that should be adopted by corporations in relation to their corporate governance practices, as well as sustainability management and reporting. King II follows the worldwide trend of "triple-bottom-line", whose approach is recognising that the company has to consider stakeholders when formulating strategies. As part of building a case for the consideration of sustainability, cost savings could be the primary motivator (if nothing else) for making a business case for sustainable development. Businesses can reduce costs by making environmental improvements that deliver an immediate impact on the financial bottom line. They can also reduce financial, reputation and political risks by engaging with stakeholders. Understanding the concerns and interests of employees, customers, Non-governmental organisations (NGO's), politicians and business partners helps a company to manage environmental and social expectations better, resulting in reduced risk of civil action or brand assassination, improved access to capital and insurance, cost savings and reduced vulnerability to regulatory changes. Another view is that of avoiding a strategic disadvantage, where if firms do not respond to environmental opportunities, and their competitors do, they risk placing themselves at a competitive disadvantage. Governance, simply defined, is "the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented. If governance is about transparency and looking after shareholder value, and sustainability is about ensuring long-term success, then sustainability is the core part of governance. Managing this equilibrium is an integral aspect of good governance and a major challenge for any board. It will be achieved only where there is active engagement with all stakeholders and where proper attention is paid to health, safety and environmental issues - board of directors is accountable for addressing these challenges. The board should also ensure that its sustainability responsibilities are properly delegated and that strategies and policies are implemented through the effective use of a board representative for sustainability, a dedicated board committee for sustainability, and senior management. The consideration of sustainability issues by directors can reveal new opportunities for the company. Ignoring these opportunities could weaken its competitive position. In addition, if sustain ability issues are not considered, both the company and its directors may be held liable for failing to act with due diligence. The board must be aware of the corporation's liabilities caused by its sustainability obligations over the life cycle of its activities, products and services, and the necessary financial provision for such liabilities must be made and communicated to stakeholders. Directors must be aware of the sustainability threats, and take steps to safeguard the organisation - it is a matter of risk management. It is also a matter of investment, not cost. Like any investment, companies must find the resources and assess the paybacks. But there are many cases where the paybacks have been swift and substantial, and it has been shown that addressing these issues is more likely to help companies identify cost reductions than add to their costs. A number of leading South African companies, for example Anglo American, BlIP Billiton, Eskom, Sasol, and South African Breweries - have begun to drive the sustainability agenda within the local business community. Two case studies (Sasol and Nestle) of companies that are making sustainable development a core part of their governance role are presented. Recommendations naturally do not guarantee safety against failure, but a board can begin with changes that, taken together, will provide a better early-warning system against failure: 1. Reengineer the board. 2. Monitoring and evaluation by the board. 3. Introduce a Sustainability Board Committee This work has illustrated that by having appropriate standards of governance the long-term performance is raised and total shareholder return is enhanced. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die rol van die direksie van publieke en private maatskappye. Dit fokus op die "leiding" (en nie die bestuur) - in die lig van die beleid en strategie aspekte van die raadsaal aktiviteite. Die tweede deel fokus op die volhoubaarheid kwessie - die wat en waarom van hierdie belangrike bestuurswaarde. 'n Moderne direksie is verantwoordelik vir die ontwikkeling van die besigheidstrategie en die versekering dat 'n strategiese beplanningsproses in plek is, funksioneer en lei tot die regte besluite. Die direksie moet die implementering van die strategie monitor om te verseker dat die resultate beriek word, op skedule is en binne die begroting is. Die tweede King-verslag oor korporatiewe beheer in Suid-Afrika (King II) het die verantwoordelikhede verander deur aanbevelings in te sluit oor die minimum prosedures wat maatskaapye moet instel rakende korporatiewe beheer, asook volhoubaarheidsbestuur en verslagdoening. King (II) volg die wereld-wye tendens van "triple-bottom-line", wat beteken dat die maatskaapy sy verantwoordelikheid teenoor belanghebenes in ag neem tydens die formulering van strategie. Kostebesparings is waarskynilik die belangrikste motivering vir die inagneming van volhoubaarheid. Die maatskappy kan kostes bespaar deur omgewingsverbeterings aan te bring wat onmiddelik 'n effek op die netto wins sal he. Maatskappye kan ook finansiele-, reputasie- en politieke risiko verminder deur met die belanghebendes saam te werk. Deur die bekommernisse en belange van werknemers, kliente, nie-regerings organisasies, politiekusse en besigheidsvennote te verstaan, help 'n maatskappy om die omgewings en sosiale verwagtinge beter te bestuur. Dit sal lei tot die vermindering van die risiko vir siviele aksies, 'n verbetering in die toegang tot kapitaal en versekering, kostebesparings en 'n vermindering in die kwesbaarheid as gevolg van vernaderinge in regulasies. 'n Ander oorweging is die vermeiding van 'n strategiese nadeel. Deur nie te reageer op omgewings geleenthede nie, terwyl die kompitisie dit wel doen, kan lei tot 'n kompiterende nadeel. Korporatiewe beheer is die proses van besluitneming en die proses waardeur besluite geimplementeer word. Indien korporatiewe beheer gaan oor die deursigtigheid van besluite en die bevordering van aandeelhouerswelvaart, en volhoubaarheid gaan oor die versekering van lantermyn sukses, dan is volhoubaarheid die kern van korporatiewe beheer. Die handhawing van 'n balans tussen die twee aspekte is 'n integrale deel van korporatiewe beheer en 'n uitdaging vir die direksie. Dit sal slegs behaal word indien daar aktiewe deelname is van alle belanghebbendes en die nodige aandag gegee word aan gesondheids-, veiligheids- en omgewingsake. Die direksie is verantwoordelik vir hierdie uitdagings. Die direksie moet ook verseker dat die volhoubaarheids verantwoordelikhede behoorlik gedelegeer word en dat die strategie en beleid geimplementeer word deur die effektiewe gebruik van 'n direksie verteenwoordiger vir volhoubaarheid, 'n direksie komittee vir volhoubaarheid en senior bestuur. Die inagneming van volhoubaarheids aspekte deur direkteure kan lei tot nuwe geleenthede vir die maatskappy. Deur die geleenthede te ignoreer kan die maatskappy se kompeterende posisie beinvloed. Die maatskappy en sy direkteure kan ook verantwoordelik gehou word deur nie met die nodige sorg op te tree nie. Die direksie moet bewus wees van die maatskappy se verpligtinge, as gevolg van die volhoubaarheids verantwoordelikhede, oor die lewenstydperk van sy aktiwiteite, produkte en dienste en die nodige voorsiening maak vir die finansiele laste en dit kommunikeer aan alle belanghebbendes. Die direkteure moet ook bewus wees van dit wat volhoubaarheid kan bedreig en die nodige stappe neem om die maatskappy te beskerm - 'n kwessie van risikobestuur. Dit is ook eerder 'n belegging, as 'n koste. Soos met enige belegging, moet die maatskappy die nodige bronne vind en die opbrengs oorweeg. Daar is verskeie gevalle waar die opbrengs vinnig en wesenlik was en dit is bewys dat deur hierdie aspekte aan te spreek, dit lei tot koste besparings en nie tot additionele kostes nie. Verskeie Suid-Afrikaanse maatkappye, soos Anglo American, BBP Billiton, Eskom, Sasol en SAB het begin om die volhoubaarheidsproses uit te rol in die besigheidsgemeenskap. Twee studies (Sasol en Nestle) oor maatskappye wat volhoubaarheidsontwikkeling natreef as deel van hulle korporatiewe beheer, word aangebied. Aanbevelings is natuurlik nie 'n versekering teen ondergang nie, maar direksies kan begin met veranderinge wat tesame sal lei tot 'n vroee waarskuwing stelsel: 1. Hersamestelling van die direksie; 2. Monitering en evaluering van die direksie; 3. Samestelling van 'n Volhoubaarheids Kommitee Die studie het bewys dat, deur nodige standaarde en beheer, die langtermyn verdienstes verhoog en aandeelhouerswelvaart bevorder word.

Thesis (MComm (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABTRACT: The marketing function has been characterised as the only result-producing function of the organisation and as having the responsibility for achieving profitable revenue growth by means of demand creation. Marketing performance measurement thus not only influences organisational performance, but also influences the marketing function’s stature within the organisation. Hence, marketing performance measurement is a critical management task. However, the negligence of the marketing function to demonstrate its contribution to organisational performance has caused the marketing function to lose its stature within the organisation and consequently, has a limited role in organisational strategy formulation. Only by implementing proper performance measurement practices, will the marketing function regain its credibility with top management, the organisation and resume a central role in organisational strategy. Marketers’ negligence to measure their performance is linked to the paucity of research in marketing performance measurement. The intricacy of problems marketers have to overcome concerning performance measurement adds to their disinclination to measure marketing’s performance. Nevertheless, if marketing performance is not measured, marketing will be unable to contribute to long-term organisational success. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the marketing performance measurement practices of South African organisations. The marketing performance measurement practices were investigated by focussing on: (1) the overall satisfaction with the existing measures of marketing performance, (2) the marketing performance measures considered by top management, (3) the periodicity of collection of marketing performance measures, (4) the importance top management attaches to the marketing performance measures, (5) the types of benchmarks employed, and lastly (6) whether and how the marketing asset was measured. The results of the study indicated that the South African marketers in this study are uninformed about proper marketing performance measurement practices and that marketing performance measurement is still in the development phases in these South African organisations. The surveyed marketers’ satisfaction with the existing measures of marketing performance indicated their ignorance about the state of marketing performance measurement in South Africa. “Financial measures” emerged as the dominant marketing performance measure. In comparison to the other measures in the study, “financial measures” were collected most often, considered most often and deemed the most important marketing performance measure. Internal benchmarks were used by the majority of marketers in this study while external benchmarks were rarely employed. Only the minority regularly measured the marketing asset. A more balanced set of marketing performance measures was proposed to replace the existing dominant “financial measures” presently utilised by most organisations in this study. It was further recommended that top management set aside their bias towards non-financial measures, considering their influence on the surveyed marketers’ use of marketing performance measures. The introduction of external benchmarks in marketing performance measurement practices was suggested, since the predominant use of internal benchmarks creates a false impression of confidence of the state of marketing performance. It was also recommended that marketers develop measures to quantify the marketing asset. The last recommendation was that the South African Marketing Research Association (SAMRA) should stimulate research in the field of marketing performance measurement. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bemarkingsfunksie is al bestempel as die enigste funksie in die onderneming wat werklik ‘n direkte bydrae lewer tot die winsgewende groei in die onderneming se inkomste. Die prestasie van die onderneming, asook die bemarkingsfunksie se reputasie in die onderneming word beide deur bemarkingsprestasiemeting beïnvloed. Daarom is bemarkingsprestasiemeting ‘n kern bestuursaktiwiteit in die onderneming. Ongelukkig het bemarkers se onvermoë om bemarkingsprestasie te meet, veroorsaak dat die bemarkingsfunksie nie meer hoog geag word in die onderneming nie. Gevolglik, is die bemarkingsfunksie nie meer in ‘n posisie om ‘n bydrae te lewer tot die onderneming se strategiese besluitneming nie. Om bemarking se status as ‘n waardevolle en belangrike organisatoriese funksie te herstel, moet bemarkers prestasiemetingspraktyke ontwikkel. As gevolg van die min navorsing oor hierdie onderwerp en die blote kompleksiteit van die probleme wat bemarkers in die gesig staar in verband met bemarkingsprestasiemeting, is bemarkers nie gretig om hul prestasie te meet nie. Indien bemarkers nie hul prestasie meet nie, sal die bemarkingsfunksie nie in staat wees om ‘n bydrae tot die prestasie van die onderneming, te lewer nie. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om die bemarkingsprestasiemetingpraktyke van Suid-Afrikaanse ondernemings te ondersoek. Om bemarkingsprestasiemetingpraktyke te ondersoek was die volgende faktore in ag geneem: (1) bemarkers se tevredenheid ten opsigte van hul huidige bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe, (2) watter bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe deur topbestuur oorweeg word, (3) hoe gereeld bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe ingesamel word, (4) hoe belangrik topbestuur die bemarkingsprestasie-maatstawwe ag, (5) teen watter norme Die bemarkingsfunksie is al bestempel as die enigste funksie in die onderneming wat werklik ‘n direkte bydrae lewer tot die winsgewende groei in die onderneming se inkomste. Die prestasie van die onderneming, asook die bemarkingsfunksie se reputasie in die onderneming word beide deur bemarkingsprestasiemeting beïnvloed. Daarom is bemarkingsprestasiemeting ‘n kern bestuursaktiwiteit in die onderneming. Ongelukkig het bemarkers se onvermoë om bemarkingsprestasie te meet, veroorsaak dat die bemarkingsfunksie nie meer hoog geag word in die onderneming nie. Gevolglik, is die bemarkingsfunksie nie meer in ‘n posisie om ‘n bydrae te lewer tot die onderneming se strategiese besluitneming nie. Om bemarking se status as ‘n waardevolle en belangrike organisatoriese funksie te herstel, moet bemarkers prestasiemetingspraktyke ontwikkel. As gevolg van die min navorsing oor hierdie onderwerp en die blote kompleksiteit van die probleme wat bemarkers in die gesig staar in verband met bemarkingsprestasiemeting, is bemarkers nie gretig om hul prestasie te meet nie. Indien bemarkers nie hul prestasie meet nie, sal die bemarkingsfunksie nie in staat wees om ‘n bydrae tot die prestasie van die onderneming, te lewer nie. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om die bemarkingsprestasiemetingpraktyke van Suid-Afrikaanse ondernemings te ondersoek. Om bemarkingsprestasiemetingpraktyke te ondersoek was die volgende faktore in ag geneem: (1) bemarkers se tevredenheid ten opsigte van hul huidige bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe, (2) watter bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe deur topbestuur oorweeg word, (3) hoe gereeld bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe ingesamel word, (4) hoe belangrik topbestuur die bemarkingsprestasie-maatstawwe ag, (5) teen watter normeDie bemarkingsfunksie is al bestempel as die enigste funksie in die onderneming wat werklik ‘n direkte bydrae lewer tot die winsgewende groei in die onderneming se inkomste. Die prestasie van die onderneming, asook die bemarkingsfunksie se reputasie in die onderneming word beide deur bemarkingsprestasiemeting beïnvloed. Daarom is bemarkingsprestasiemeting ‘n kern bestuursaktiwiteit in die onderneming. Ongelukkig het bemarkers se onvermoë om bemarkingsprestasie te meet, veroorsaak dat die bemarkingsfunksie nie meer hoog geag word in die onderneming nie. Gevolglik, is die bemarkingsfunksie nie meer in ‘n posisie om ‘n bydrae te lewer tot die onderneming se strategiese besluitneming nie. Om bemarking se status as ‘n waardevolle en belangrike organisatoriese funksie te herstel, moet bemarkers prestasiemetingspraktyke ontwikkel. As gevolg van die min navorsing oor hierdie onderwerp en die blote kompleksiteit van die probleme wat bemarkers in die gesig staar in verband met bemarkingsprestasiemeting, is bemarkers nie gretig om hul prestasie te meet nie. Indien bemarkers nie hul prestasie meet nie, sal die bemarkingsfunksie nie in staat wees om ‘n bydrae tot die prestasie van die onderneming, te lewer nie. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om die bemarkingsprestasiemetingpraktyke van Suid-Afrikaanse ondernemings te ondersoek. Om bemarkingsprestasiemetingpraktyke te ondersoek was die volgende faktore in ag geneem: (1) bemarkers se tevredenheid ten opsigte van hul huidige bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe, (2) watter bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe deur topbestuur oorweeg word, (3) hoe gereeld bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe ingesamel word, (4) hoe belangrik topbestuur die bemarkingsprestasie-maatstawwe ag, (5) teen watter norme vidie bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe gemeet word en laastens (6) op watter manier en hoe gereeld die bemarkingsbate gemeet word. In hierdie studie is bevind dat Suid-Afrikaanse bemarkers oningelig is oor bemarkingsprestasiemetingpraktyke en dat bemarkingsprestasiemeting nog in die ontwikkelingsfase in Suid-Afrikaanse ondernemings is. Die bemarkers in die studie se tevredenheid met hul bestaande bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe, weerspieël hul onkunde oor die toestand van die bemarkingsprestasiemeting in Suid-Afrika. Die resultate dui aan dat "finansiële maatstawwe" die dominante bemarkingsprestasiemaatreël onder beide topbestuur en bemarkers in hierdie studie is. In vergelyking met die ander bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe in die studie, is "finansiële maatstawwe" die meeste ingesamel, meer dikwels oorweeg en ook as die belangrikste bemarkingprestasiemeeting geag. Die meerderhied bemarkers in hierdie studie maak gebruik van interne norme, terwyl eksterne norme selde gebruik word. Slegs die minderheid van bemarkers in hierdie studie, het die bemarkingsbate op ‘n gereelde basis gemeet. Aanbevelings is gemaak dat ‘n meer gebalanseerde stel bemarkingsprestasiemaatstawwe ontwikkel moet word, omdat "finansiële maatstawwe" huidiglik bemarkingsprestasiepraktyke oorheers. Verder is aanbeveel dat die topbestuur van ondernemings hul vooroordeel teenoor nie-finansiële maatstawwe ter syde stel, aangesien bemarkers, in hierdie studie, se gebruik van bemarkingprestasiemaatstawwe daardeur beïnvloed word. Die gebruik van eksterne norme in die respondente se bemarkingsprestasiemetingpraktyke is voorgestel, omdat die gebruik van slegs interne norme ‘n vals indruk van vertroue in die toestand van die bemarkingprestasie skep. Aangesien die minderheid van die respondente gereeld bemarkingsbates gemeet het, is daar aanbeveel dat die betrokke maatstawwe ontwikkel moet viiword. Ten slotte word aanbeveel dat die Suid-Afrikaanse Bemarkingsnavorsingvereniging navorsing op die gebied van bemarkingprestasiemeting moet stimuleer.

Thesis (MBA)--Universiteit van Stellenbosch, 1995. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Traditional financial ratios are used by different analysts to predict and evaluate various elements of a company. However, such ratios all suffer from the basic limitation of accrual-based accounting, hence the perception that cash flow ratios may be more suitable and possibly even more appropriate to evaluate companies. Most of these applications employ parametric statistical procedures of which the validity partly depends on the underlying distributional properties of the ratio involved. This study project is an evaluation of the underlying distributional properties of forty seven cash flow ratios based on the published annual results of 350 industrial companies, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for the period 1975 to 1993. As an initial test, the results of the ratios were subject to the null-hypothesis of normality as reflected by the p-values of the chi - square and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests respectively . Secondly, the study project attempted to give an indication of the underlying distributional properties by comparing the average with the median of the various cash flow ratios. The first evaluation was done for each ratio. after the data was aggregated, for both the various divisions and over all the financial periods to evaluate what is referred to as the sector as a whole. The results of this evaluation clearly indicate that the underlying distributional properties are definitely not normally distributed. However, the lack of normality may be founded in either the lack of homogeneity between the various divisions. or due to the aggregation of the various financial periods . A second evaluation was done on the individual ratios for each financial period. Although the different years lead to slightly different results it is still apparent that the null-hypothesis of normality for the majority of ratios are being rejected, especially consistent results to this effect were found for the period 1988 to 1993. A third and final evaluation was done on all the different ratios for the individual divisions. Again the results for the different divisions vary, but once again it ;s apparent that the null-hypothesis of normality is being rejected for the vast majority of the ratios . In this regard the results of specifically divisions industrial holding (15), food (25), engineering (28) and electronics (29) are particularly consistent. The lack of normality in the sector analysis may indicate the presence of specific division relevant characteristics, while the results of the intertemporal evaluation indicate that the distributional properties approximate normality by aggregation over time . The analysis also proves beyond any doubt that irrespective of whether disaggregation is done over either financial periods or between the different divisions, ratios 02, 03, 06, 15, 16 and 17 are positive skewely distributed . Accordingly, ratios 13 and 27 are negative skewely distributed . If one has to advise a researcher or practitioner to whom an underlying normal distribution of a cash flow ratio is important, one would probably advise in the first instance to disaggregate over time, as a second app roach to disaggregate over divisions, but never to treat the industrial sector as a pooled sample. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tradisionele finansiele verhoudings word deur verskeie markontleders vir verskillende voorspellings aangewend . Aangesien die verhoudings almal onderworpe is aan die beperking van opgelope rekeningkundige waarde word kontantvloeiverhoudings voorgehou as 'n nuttiger en moontlik selfs doeltreffender metode om ondernemings te evalueer. In die meeste van die toepassings word parametriese statistiese prosedures gebruik, waarvan die geldigheid gedeeltelik berus op die onderliggende verdelingseienskappe van die verhoudings. Die werkstuk is 'n studie van die onderliggende verde' ingseienskappe van sewe-en-veertig kontantvloeiverhoudings S005 jaarliks vir die tydperke 1975 tot 1993 gepubliseer is in die finansie1e verslae van 350 maatskappye wat genoteer is in die nywerheidsektor van die Johannesburgse Effektebeurs. In die verband is die resultate van die verhoudings eerstens onderwerp aan die nulhipotese van normaliteit deur dit te evalueer aan die hand van die p-waarde van sowel die chi-kwadraat- as Kolmogorov-Smirnovtoetse. Vervolgens dui die werkstuk die onderliggende verdeling aan, deur die gemiddeld en mediaan van die kontantvloeiverhoudings te vergelyk. Vir die eerste evaluasie is alle verhoudings oar jie verskillende finansiele tydperke en van die verskillende afdelings saamgevoeg am die sektor in die geheel te eva1ueer. Vol gens die evaluasie is die onderliggende verde1ing van die verhoudings nie normaal nie. Oit mag moontlik logies verklaar word deur die heterogeniteit van die verskil1ende afde1ings, of weens die samevoeging van die resultate oar verskillende finansiele tydperke. Tweedens is die onderskeie finans;ele tydperke afsonder1ik ont1eed . A1 het die resultate van die onderskeie termyne effens verskil, is dit duidelik dat die nulhipotese van normaliteit by die oorgrotte meerderheid van verhoud ings beslis verwerp moet word. Dit is interessant dat in die resu1tate van spesifiek 1988 tot 1993 die hipotese absoluut konsekwent verwerp word. laastens is die verhoudings afsonderlik vir elk van die onderskeie afdelings ontleed. Weereens het die resultate van die onderskeie afdelings verskil, maar dit was oak weer duidelik dat die oor9rote meerderheid van verhoudings die nulhipotese van normaliteit verwerp . In die verband was veral die resultate van die afdelings nywerheids beherend (15), voedsel (25). ingenieurswese (28) en elektronika (29) merkwaardig konsekwent. Die gebrek aan normaliteit tussen die verskillende afdelings mag maontlik aantoon dat sekere eienskappe, eie aan die afdeling, die verdelingseienskappe beinvloed . Die resultate van die intertemporale studie toon beslis dat normaliteit benaderd word indien verhoudings oar tyd saamgevaeg word. Wat die ontleding ook bo alle twyfel bewys is dat die verhoudings 02, 03, 06, 15, 16 en 17 vir die sektor as 'n geheel, die intertemporale- en die kruissektorale-ontledings konsekwent onderliggend positief skeef verdee1 is. Verhoudings 13 en 27 is egter onderliggend negatief skeef verdeel. Aanbevelings rakende die onderliggende verdeling van kontantvloeiverhoudings is beslis om eerstens verskillende finansiele tydperke te onderskei en tweedens die verskillende afdelings. maar beslis om nie die nywerheidsektor as 'n geheel te evalueer nie.

Thesis (MComm (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The increase in globalisation and integration of world financial markets has seen a significant enhancement in the amount in foreign investments. This coupled with the downfall of the apartheid regime has given rise to an opportunity for companies to diversify their investment and operational portfolios internationally. Furthermore world foreign direct investment has reached a high during recent years. This indicates that companies are undertaking more opportunities to invest internationally. This study was undertaken from the perspective of South African companies who may be considering to invest abroad. This is due to the fact that a clear research gap regarding their perspective has been found. The gap was found because most studies chose to focus on countries such as the United States of America, China and Japan, while none focused on the point of view of South African companies to the best of the available knowledge. The second factor was that studies did not only focus on the financial considerations, but instead included social and political factors. This study, due to the research gap found, chose to focus on the financial considerations of South African companies when considering making capital investments abroad. The top 50 companies in South Africa were chosen according to the Financial Mail’s Top Companies issue. It was decided that 30 of these companies would be sufficient as the research sample for the study. A questionnaire was drawn up and used as an aide memoire in personal interviews with these executives of the relevant companies. This allowed an opportunity to explore their perceptions and opinions regarding the factors that were selected as important from the literature study. In addition to this the executives provided company information that would be used in the sensitivity analysis. It was found that there are a number of company- and country-specific factors that need be contemplated when considering capital investments abroad. The company-specific factors include the profitability, cash flow, liquidity, solvency and future long-term growth characteristics of the prospective investment opportunity. This should be done in comparison with the host country to ensure that it will be worthwhile to increase the company’s risk factors. The country-specific factors include any restrictions placed on the cross-border movement of capital, the taxation legislation, and the availability of reliable information regarding the foreign market. The availability of foreign financing, availability of foreign exchange hedging instruments, investment incentives and the availability of labour and capital in order to apply the correct operating leverages are also important. The company-specific and country-specific factors need be considered in conjunction with each other. Furthermore all factors need be compared between the home and host countries in order to ascertain whether the advantages of entering into the foreign market are large enough. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die toename in globalisering en integrasie van finansiele markte in die wêreld het ‘n beduidende toename in die hoeveelheid buitelandse investerings na vore gebring. Tesame met die ondergang van apartheid het dit geleenthede aan maatskappye gebied om hul investerings en operasionele portefeuljes internasionaal te diversifeer. Verder het globale buitelandse direkte investering ‘n hoogtepunt in die onlangse jare bereik. Dit toon dat maatskappye meer geleenthede onderneem om internasionaal te investeer. Die studie was onderneem vanuit die perspektief van Suid-Afrikaanse maatskappye wat dit moontlik oorweeg om in die buiteland te investeer. ‘n Duidelike navorsingsgaping is gevind op grond van die verskille tussen die maatskappye se perspektiewe. Die gaping het ontstaan aangesien meeste studies gefokus het op lande soos die Verenigde State van Amerika, China en Japan, met so ver bekend geen studie wat fokus vanuit Suid-Afrikaanse maatskappye se perspektief nie. Die tweede faktor was dat die studies nie slegs op finansiele inagnemings gefokus het nie, maar ook sosiale en politieke faktore ingesluit het. As gevolg van die navorsingsgaping wat gevind is, fokus hierdie studie op die finansiele oorgewings vir Suid- Afrikaanse maatskappye wanneer hulle kapitaalinvesterings in die buiteland oorweeg. Die 50 top maatskapye in Suid-Afrika was gekies volgens die “Financial Mail” se uitgawe van vooraanstaande maatskappye. Daar is besluit dat 30 van hierdie maatskappye ‘n voldoende navorsingsteekproef vir die studie sal wees. ‘n Vraelys was saamgestel om as hulpmiddel te dien vir die persoonlike onderhoude wat met die senior bestuurders gevoer is. Dit het die geleentheid geskep om hul perspektiewe en opinies rakende die belangrike faktore wat uit die literatuurstudie geidentifiseer is, te verken. Die uitvoerende beamptes het ook maatskappy-inligting verskaf wat in die sensitiwiteitsanalise gebruik sou word. Daar was gevind dat ‘n aantal maatskappy- en land-spesifieke faktore bestaan waaroor besin moet word wanneer buitelandse kapitaalinvesterings oorweeg word. Die maatskappy-spesifieke faktore sluit in winsgewendheid, kontantvloei, likiditeit, solvabiliteit en toekomstige langtermyn groei-eienskappe van die voornemende investeringsgeleentheid. Dit moet gedoen word in vergelyking met die land waarin geinvesteer gaan word on te verseker dat dit die moeite werd sal wees om die maatskappy se risikofaktore te verhoog. Die land-spesifieke faktore sluit in enige beperkings wat geplaas word op die beweging van kapitaal oor grense, die belasting-wetgewing, en die beskikbaarheid van betroubare inligting rakende die buitelandse mark. Die beskikbaarheid van buitelandse finansiering, beskikbaarheid van verskansingsinstrumente vir buitelandse valuta, investeringsaansporingsmaatreels en die beskikbaarheid van arbeid en kapitaal om die korrekte bedryfshefboomwerking toe te pas is ook belangrik. Die maatskappy-spesifieke en landspesifieke faktore moet gesamentlik oorweeg word. Verder moet alle faktore tussen die tuisland en die land waarin geinvesteer gaan word, vergelyk word om vas te stel of dit voordelig sal wees om die buitelandse mark te betree.

Study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The one factor in the current business environment that provides an organisation with a competitive advantage, is human capital. It can make the difference between success and failure. In an organisation like Rex Mining it is especially important for a strong human capital base to meet the challenges that the marginal diamond mines present. It is not a question of finance. Human capital development is determined by the people management practices in an organisation, things they already do. The difference between building and breaking down human capital is just a matter of quality and appropriateness of these practices. The measurement of the ability of an organisation to develop human capital was always problematic because of the nature of it. Buckingham and Coffman developed an easy and valid measuring instrument to help organisations measure this very important factor. The questionnaire they developed now makes it possible for every organisation to make a determination of where it stands in terms of its ability to develop human capital. An investment in human capital will always give a return on the investment. The size of the return will be determined by the time and energy spend on the investment by the organisation. This investment does not depreciate. An investment in human capital will ensure optimal productivity, efficiency and effectiveness in the organisation and that targets will be reached and exceeded. Healthy people management practices are the basis upon which the development of human capital rests. In a changing South Africa different demands are made upon organisations in terms of their human capital. Each individual has his own goals and career plans and if the organisation cannot satisfy those demands the employee will offer his services to the employer that can satisfy his needs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Menslike kapitaal is in die hedendaaqse sakewêreld die een faktor wat aan 'n organisasie die kompeterende voordeel gee. Dit kan die verskil tussen sukses en mislukking bepaal. In 'n organisasie soos Rex Mining is dit juis belangrik dat menslike kapitaal sterk moet wees ten einde die geweldige uitdagings wat die marginale diamantmyne stel, die hoof te kan bied. Dit is ook nie 'n kwessie van finansies nie. Menslike kapitaalontwikkeling word bepaal deur die mensebestuurspraktyke in 'n organisasie, dinge wat elke organisasie reeds doen. Dit is net die kwaliteit en toepaslikheid van hierdie praktyke wat die verskil maak tussen die opbou en afbreek van menslike kapitaal. Die meting van die vermoë van 'n organisasie om menslike kapitaal te ontwikkel, was altyd problematies vanweë die aard daarvan. Buckingham en Coffman het egter 'n baie maklike en geldige meetinstrument daargestelom organisasies te help om hierdie baie belangrike faktor te meet. Die vraelys wat hulle ontwikkel het, maak dit nou moontlik vir elke organisasie om 'n bepaling te maak ten opsigte van die organisasie se vermoë om sy menslike kapitaal te ontwikkel. 'n Belegging in menslike kapitaal sal altyd 'n opbrengs lewer. Die grootte van die opbrengs sal afhang van die hoeveelheid tyd en energie wat die organisasie bestee het aan die belegging. Hierdie belegging verloor ook nooit sy waarde nie. 'n Belegging in die menslike kapitaal van 'n organisasie sal verseker dat produktiwiteit, effektiwiteit en doeltreffendheid optimaal sal wees en dat die organisasie altyd doelwitte sal behaal en oorskry. Gesonde mensebestuurspraktyke is die basis waarop die hele ontwikkeling van menslike kapitaal berus. In die veranderende Suid-Afrika word nuwe vereistes aan organisasies gestel in terme van hulle menslike kapitaal. Elke individu het sy eie doelwitte en loopbaanplanne en as die organisasie waar hy of sy werk, nie hieraan kan voldoen nie, sal die werknemer sy dienste aan 'n werkgewer bied wat wel sy behoeftes kan bevredig.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Enterprises and more specifically, marketing departments, function in a complex global market, while trying to deliver products and services to satisfy the needs of consumers. It is estimated that by 2013, enterprises will be spending $4.75 trillion and consumers $330 billion by means of commercial transactions over the Internet, and that by 2050 most transactions – if not all transactions – will be e-commerce based (Laudon and Traver, 2010:1-7). The 24-hour access to a global network of markets has brought about two major challenges for most enterprises. Firstly, the Internet as a publishing platform has exponentially increased the creation and sharing of information, which has significantly increased consumers’ search cost; and secondly, as more electronic word-of-mouth (EWOM) is being generated online, a significant amount of power and influence over enterprises has shifted to consumers (Chen, Wu and Yoon, 2004:716-722; Tapscott and Williams, 2008:52-53). Ultimately, enterprises are challenged to harness the power of EWOM for more successful e-commerce strategies and increased market share. Given previous studies, it was possible to extend the theoretical framework of EWOM communication in the fields of Internet marketing and online consumer behaviour. The purpose of this study was to create two models that could measure, over time, the impact of EWOM review communication on an e-commerce platform, specifically with regard to review credibility and sales levels. In using a non-probability judgement sampling procedure, it emerged that EWOM reviews do indeed influence the sales levels of e-commerce platform Amazon.com, and that certain review factors (platform, text length, time and star ratings) significantly influenced the credibility of Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com reviews. Furthermore, it was concluded that the overall credibility of reviews increases over time as more and more online users have the ability to scrutinise it. When Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com’s reviews were compared to each other, the results indicated that Amazon.com had more reviews than Barnesandnoble.com, and that the reviews posted at Amazon.com had on average longer text lengths and were found to be more helpful than the reviews at Barnesandnoble.com. The study's major contribution is that it provides wide-ranging guidelines for usability and user experience design, sales and inventory forecasting, as well as benchmark statistics for marketing campaigns. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ondernemings, en in die besonder bemarkingsafdelings, funksioneer in ‘n komplekse globale mark, in hulle strewe om voortdurend produkte en dienste te lewer wat voldoen aan verbruikersbehoeftes. Na raming sal ondernemings teen die jaar 2013 $4.75 triljoen en verbruikers $330 biljoen spandeer aan kommersiële transaksies oor die Internet, terwyl die meeste, indien nie alle transaksies, teen die jaar 2050 gebaseer gaan wees op e-handel (Laudon en Traver, 2010:1-7). Die 24-uur toegang tot ‘n globale netwerk van markte het twee hoofuitdagings vir die meeste ondernemings tot gevolg. In die eerste plek het die Internet as uitgewersplatform die skep en verspreiding van inligting eksponensieel laat toeneem, wat verbruikers se soekkoste noemenswaardig verhoog het; en tweedens, namate elektroniese hoorsê aanlyn gegenereer word, het ‘n beduidende hoeveelheid mag en invloed van ondernemings na die verbruiker verskuif (Chen, Wu en Yoon, 2004:716-722; Tapscott en Williams, 2008:52-53). Ondernemings word dus uitgedaag om die impak van elektroniese hoorsê (electronic word-of-mouth) te ontgin om meer suksesvolle e-handelstrategieë en verhoogde winste te verkry. In die lig van vorige studies was dit moontlik om die tradisionele teoretiese raamwerk van hoorsêkommunikasie uit te brei na die veld van Internet-bemarking en verbruikersgedrag. Die doel van hierdie studie was om twee modelle te ontwikkel wat, met verloop van tyd, die impak van elektroniese hoorsêkommunikasie op ‘n e-handelplatform kon meet, met spesifieke verwysing na resensiegeloofwaardigheid en verkoopsvlakke van boeke. Deur die gebruik van ‘n nie-waarskynlikheidsoordeel steekproefprosedure, het die studie bevind dat elektroniese hoorsêresensies inderdaad ‘n invloed het op die verkoopsvlakke van elektroniese e-handelplatforms en dat sekere resensiefaktore (platform, teks, lengte, tyd en stergradering) die geloofwaardigheid van elektroniese e-handelplatforms se resensies beduidend beïnvloed het. Verder is die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat die oorhoofse geloofwaardigheid van resensies toeneem namate al hoe meer aanlynverbruikers die vermoë het om dit onder oë te kry. In ‘n vergelyking tussen die resensies van twee e-handel platforms Amazon.com en Barnesandnoble.com, is bevind dat Amazon.com meer resensies as Barnesandnoble.com het, dat die resensies op Amazon.com gemiddeld langer tekste het, en ook meer behulpsaam uit ‘n verbruikersoogpunt is as die resensies op Barnesandnoble.com. Die hoofbydrae van hierdie studie is dat dit riglyne bied aan e-handelplatforms om hul kliënte se verbruikerservaring beter te verstaan, en om sodoende beter verkope- en voorraadvooruitskattings te kan maak. Verder bied die studie ook riglyne t.o.v. doeltreffende bemarkingsveldtogte vir e-handelplatforms.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / In this thesis, based on historical data, a comparative study is conducted of various annuity strategies for South African males who retired during the 30 years from 1960 to 1989. To this end, the present values of the monthly cash ows provided by di erent annuity strategies are calculated and compared in order to ascertain which strategy would have provided the largest nancial bene ts. In contrast to previously held general beliefs, the calculations demonstrate that pure living annuity strategies are superior to composite annuity strategies, which in turn outperform switching annuity strategies, whereas pure life annuities yield the lowest return.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study sets out to evaluate the possible influence of increasing and declining markets on the returns of dividend-investing strategies. This study’s objective, therefore, was to evaluate the possible influence dividend pay-out policy has on share return. Secondary objectives serve to investigate how the size of cash dividend payments, measured in dividend yield (DY), influence share value, especially during bull and bear markets respectively. In order to address the stated objectives of this study and prevent possible survivorship bias, the sample included listed and delisted shares for the period 1995 to 2010. Initially, all firms that were listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) during the period under review were considered, both that were listed at the end as well as firms that delisted. However, due to the nature of the financial structures of firms in the financial and basic industries, the study did not include their data. The final sample consisted of 291 firms, providing 22 927 monthly observations. Dividend-investing strategies were constructed using non-dividendpaying (Portfolio one) and dividend-paying firms (Portfolio two). Portfolio one and two were then further deconstructed into four groups based on monthly DY rankings. Portfolio one was represented by Group 1, whilst Portfolio two was grouped into the lowest, medium, and highest DYs and classified as Group 2 to Group 4 accordingly. The results obtained from statistical analyses performed in this study indicate that the level of DY appears to influence returns positively. Furthermore, after investigating the results obtained during opposing market scenarios, some important findings resulted. During bear markets no significant difference in abnormal risk-adjusted returns was observed for the portfolios and four groups, however, in bull markets the return for Portfolio two, specifically Group 4, was more than double the result for the non-dividend payers. This study, therefore proposes that firms should have a DY in the range of the highest market DY average for bull markets specifically. From the perspective of the potential investors, the study suggests that dividend-investing could allow for the generation of positive risk-adjusted returns during bull markets. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie evalueer die moontlike invloed van stygende en dalende markte aangaande opbrengs op dividend-investerings strategie . Die studie se primêre doelwit is om die invloed van dividend uitbetalings op aandeel opbrengste te bestudeer. Sekondêre doelwitte ondersoek hoe die grootte van ‘n kontant dividend, soos gemeet in dividend opbrengs, die aandeel-waarde beïnvloed, spesifiek tydens bul en beer markte. Om oorlewingsydigheid te voorkom, sluit die steekproef genoteerde sowel as gedenoteerde firmas in vir ‘n tydperk van 1995 tot 2010. Aanvanklik was alle sektore van die Johannesburg Aandele-beurs (JSE) ondersoek, maar weens die komplekse kapitaal struktuur van finansi le en die basiese nywerheid sektore was hul aandeel inligiting uitgesluit. Die finale steekproef het ‘n totaal van 291 firmas ingesluit en 22 927 maandelike waarnemings verskaf. Dividend-investerings strategie was saamgestel deur nie-dividend-betalende firmas (Portefeulje een) teenoor dividendbetalende firmas (Portefeulje twee) te vergelyk. Die twee portefeuljes was ook verder onderdeel in vier groepe volgens maandelikse dividend opbrengstes. Portefeulje een was verteenwoordig deur Groep 1, terwyl Portfeulje twee opgedeel was volgends laag, medium, en hoë dividend opbrengstes en geklasifiseer as Groep 2 tot 4 onderskeidelik. Die resultate van die statististiese ontleding van hierdie studie dui moontlik daarop dat die vlak van dividend opbrengs aandeel waarde positief beïnvloed. Nadat die spesifieke bul en beer markte ontleed is, was belangrike resultate waargeneem. Tydens beer markte was daar geen beduidende verskil tussen die risiko-aangepaste opbrengstes van die twee portefeuljes en vier groepe nie, maar tydens bul markte het die opbrengstes van Portefeulje twee, spesifiek Groep 4, meer as dubbel dié van die nie-dividend betalers getoon. Die studie stel dus voor dat ‘n firma tydens bul markte moet poog om ‘n dividend opbrengs te handhaaf wat die hoogste gemiddeld van die mark verteenwoordig. Vanuit die belegger se oogpunt, stel die studie voor dat dividend investering stategie moontlik gebruik kan word om positiewe risikoaangepaste opbrengstes te genereer, veral tydens bul markte.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Individual and institutional investors alike are continuously searching for investment styles and strategies that can yield enhanced risk-adjusted portfolio returns. In this regard, a number of investment styles have emerged in empirical analysis as explanatory factors of portfolio return. These include size (the rationale that small stocks outperform large stocks), value (high book-to-market ratio stocks outperform low book-to-market ratio stocks) and momentum (stocks currently outperforming will continue to do so). During the mid-eighties it has been proposed that liquidity (investing in low liquidity stocks relative to high liquidity stocks) is a missing investment style that can further enhance the risk-adjusted performance in the United States equity market. In the South African equity market this so-called liquidity effect, however, has remained largely unexplored. The focus of this study was therefore to determine whether the liquidity effect is prevalent in the South African equity market and whether by employing a liquidity strategy an investor could enhance risk-adjusted returns. This study was conducted over a period of 17 years, from 1996 to 2012. As a primary objective, this study analysed liquidity as a risk factor affecting portfolio returns, first as a residual purged from the influence of the market premium, size and book-to-market (value/growth) factors, and then in the presence of these explanatory factors affecting stock returns. Next, as a secondary objective, this study explored whether incorporating a liquidity style into passive portfolio strategies yielded enhanced risk-adjusted performance relative to other pure-liquidity and liquidity-neutral passive ‘style index’ strategies. The results from this study indicated that liquidity is not a statistically significant risk factor affecting broad market returns in the South African equity market. Instead the effect of liquidity is significant in small and low liquidity portfolios only. However, the study indicated that including liquidity as a risk factor improved the Fama-French three-factor model in capturing shared variation in stock returns. Lastly, incorporating a liquidity style into passive portfolio strategies yielded weak evidence of enhanced risk-adjusted performance relative to other pure-liquidity and liquidity-neutral passive ‘style index’ strategies. This research ultimately provided a better understanding of the return generating process of the South African equity market. It analysed previously omitted variables and gave an indication of how these factors influence returns. Furthermore, in analysing the risk- adjusted performance of liquidity-biased portfolio strategies, light was shed upon how a liquidity bias could influence portfolio returns. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Individuele en institusionele beleggers is voortdurend op soek na beleggingstyle en strategieë wat verhoogde risiko-aangepaste portefeulje-opbrengste kan lewer. In hierdie verband is ’n aantal beleggingstyle deur empiriese analise geïdentifiseer as verklarende faktore van portefeulje-opbrengs. Hierdie style sluit in: grootte (die rasionaal dat klein aandele beter presteer as groot aandele), waarde (hoë boek-tot-mark verhouding aandele presteer beter as lae boek-tot-mark verhouding aandele) en momentum (aandele wat tans oorpresteer sal daarmee voortduur). Gedurende die midtagtigs is dit aangevoer dat likiditeit (die belegging in lae likiditeit aandele relatief tot hoë likiditeit aandele) ’n ontbrekende beleggingstyl is wat die risiko- aangepaste prestasie in die Verenigde State van Amerika (VSA) aandelemark verder kan verhoog. In die Suid-Afrikaanse aandelemark bly hierdie sogenaamde likiditeit-effek egter grootliks onverken. Die fokus van hierdie studie was dus om te bepaal of die likiditeit-effek teenwoordig is in die Suid-Afrikaanse aandelemark en of dit vir ’n belegger moontlik is om risiko-aangepaste opbrengste te verbeter deur ’n likiditeit-strategie te volg. Die studie is uitgevoer oor ’n tydperk van 17 jaar, vanaf 1996 tot 2012. As ’n primêre doelwit het hierdie studie likiditeit ontleed as ’n risiko faktor van portefeulje-opbrengste, eers as ’n residu-effek vry van die invloed van die markpremie, grootte en boek-tot-mark (waarde/groei) faktore, en daarna in die teenwoordigheid van hierdie verklarende faktore van aandeel opbrengste. As ’n sekondêre doelwit, het hierdie studie ondersoek of die insluiting van ’n likiditeit-styl in passiewe portefeulje-strategieë verbeterde risiko- aangepaste prestasie kan lewer relatief tot ander suiwer-likiditeit en likiditeit-neutrale passiewe ‘styl indeks’ strategieë. Die resultate van hierdie studie het aangedui dat likiditeit nie ’n statisties beduidende risiko faktor is wat die breë markopbrengs in die Suid-Afrikaanse aandelemark beïnvloed nie. In plaas daarvan is die effek van likiditeit beperk tot slegs klein en lae likiditeit portefeuljes. Die studie het wel aangedui dat die insluiting van likiditeit as ’n risiko faktor die Fama- French drie-faktor model verbeter in sy vermoë om die gedeelde variasie in aandeel opbrengste te verduidelik. Laastens lewer passiewe portefeulje strategieë, geïnkorporeer met ’n likiditeit-styl, swak bewyse van verbeterde risiko-aangepaste opbrengs relatief tot ander suiwer-likiditeit en likiditeit-neutrale passiewe ‘styl indeks’ strategieë. Hierdie navorsing verskaf ’n beter begrip van die opbrengs-genererende proses van die Suid-Afrikaanse aandelemark. Dit ontleed voorheen weggelate veranderlikes en gee ’n aanduiding van hoe hierdie faktore opbrengste beïnvloed. Daarbenewens word lig gewerp op die invloed van ’n likiditeit vooroordeel op portefeulje-opbrengste deur die risiko- aangepaste opbrengs van likiditeit-bevooroordeelde strategieë te analiseer.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Strategic innovation originated as a concept in academic literature in the 1990’s, and provides companies with the opportunity for substantial value creation. Previous research has shown how the learning or process aspects of a company foster strategic innovation capacity, or the ability of a company to systematically create strategic innovation initiatives. However, an understanding of the role of the content aspects or the drivers of strategic innovation – Strategy Processes, People, Culture and Resources – remains problematic. Despite a heightened awareness and interest by both scholars and practitioners in studying and better understanding strategic innovation, it is still regarded as an emerging field of inquiry. Additionally, limited research has been conducted on strategic innovation in a South African context. As such, a limited base of empirical research for strategic innovation exists. To address this lack of empirical research a literature review of strategic innovation was conducted, highlighting any research gaps; an empirical study was then executed. The literature review first investigated strategic innovation as a topic, identifying the antecedents to; the results of; and motivations for strategic innovation. Subsequently, a theoretical link between strategic innovation capacity and the drivers of strategic innovation was established. Lastly, each driver of strategic innovation was individually explored for the purpose of operationalising each driver for empirical analysis. The review of strategic innovation literature revealed a research gap that culminated in the following research question: How do the drivers of strategic innovation affect the strategic innovation capacity of selected banks? The empirical study consisted of a mixed-methodology design, conducted in two phases. First the sample was narrowed to include only the most appropriate banks, this being the most significant sector of the financial services sector in South Africa. The first phase of research consisted of semi-structured interviews conducted with the six most qualified individuals across the participating banks. This phase of research was used to refine the identified antecedent elements of the drivers of strategic innovation, and develop the sample for the second phase of research. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic analysis to generate findings. The findings of the qualitative phase show that the antecedent elements of the drivers in South African banks are consistent with the literature. Although no new South African specific elements were discovered, external factors for managerial consideration were noted. This emphasises that South African banks should adopt global best practices for their field, whilst taking into consideration the unique South African circumstances. The second phase of research made use of cross-sectional electronic questionnaires to gather interval data on the drivers of strategic innovation and strategic innovation capacity. The questionnaire was developed from the findings of the first phase of research and distributed to 125 individuals, 53 completed responses were received, yielding a response rate of 42.4%. All the constructs were measured to be reliable using Cronbach’s alpha and the collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the quantitative phase indicate that the drivers of strategic innovation have a significant positive relationship with strategic innovation capacity. This finding underlines the important role managers can play in fostering a company’s ability to systematically create strategic innovation initiatives. The driver with the strongest relationship with strategic innovation capacity was shown to be Culture, emphasising the importance of creating an organisational culture geared towards innovation. The second strongest driver was Resources, followed by People, and lastly Strategy Processes which had the lowest significant positive relationship with strategic innovation capacity. The findings also showed that the inter-driver relationships were significantly positive, with Culture once again displaying the strongest correlation values. The most important contribution of this study is the empirical evaluation of the relationship between the drivers of strategic innovation and strategic innovation capacity in the South African banking context. The establishment of this relationship creates a solid platform upon which future studies may build through the highlighted areas for further study. The findings also provide management with a means to assess the levels of the drivers, as well as antecedents on which to focus when staging managerial interventions for their improvement. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Strategiese innovering het ontstaan as 'n konsep in die akademiese literatuur in die 1990's, en bied maatskappye ’n geleentheid vir aansienlike waardeskepping. Vorige navorsing het getoon hoe die leer- of prosesaspekte van ’n maatskappy strategiese innoveringskapasiteit, of die vermoë van ’n maatskappy om stelselmatig innoveringsinisiatiewe te skep, bevorder. ’n Begrip van die rol van die dryfkragte agter strategiese innovering – Strategieprosesse, Mense, Kultuur en Hulpbronne – bly egter problematies. Ten spyte van groter belangstelling in die studie van strategiese innovering vanuit die akademie sowel as die praktyk, word dit steeds as ’n ontluikende navorsingsveld beskou. Verder is slegs beperkte navorsing oor strategiese innovering in ’n Suid-Afrikaanse konteks reeds gedoen. Daar bestaan dus ’n beperkte basis van empiriese navorsing vir strategiese innovering. Om hierdie gebrek aan navorsing aan te spreek, is ’n literatuuroorsig van strategiese innovering gedoen wat navorsingsleemtes uitgewys het; ’n empiriese studie is toe uitgevoer. Die literatuuroorsig het eerstens strategiese innovering ondersoek deur die voorgangers van; resultate van; en motiverings vir strategiese innovering te identifiseer. Vervolgens is ’n teoretiese skakel tussen strategiese innoveringskapasiteit en die dryfkragte agter strategiese innovering vasgestel. Laastens is elke dryfkrag individueel ondersoek met die doel om dit te operasionaliseer vir empiriese ontleding. Die literatuuroorsig het ’n navorsingsleemte onthul wat tot die volgende navorsingsvraag gelei het: Hoe beïnvloed die dryfkragte agter strategiese innovering die strategiese innoveringskapasiteit van die gekose banke? Die studie het bestaan uit ’n gemengdemetodologie-ontwerp wat in twee fases uitgevoer is. Die eerste fase het bestaan uit semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met die ses mees gekwalifiseerde individue vanuit die deelnemende banke. Hierdie fase is gebruik om die geïdentifiseerde voorafgaande elemente van die dryfkragte agter strategiese innovering te verfyn, en om die steekproef vir die tweede fase te ontwikkel. Die onderhoude is opgeneem, getranskribeer en onderwerp aan tematiese ontleding om bevindinge te genereer. Die bevindinge van die kwalitatiewe fase wys dat die voorafgaande elemente van die dryfkragte in Suid-Afrikaanse banke strook met die literatuur. Alhoewel geen nuwe, spesifiek Suid- Afrikaanse elemente ontdek is nie, is eksterne faktore vir bestuursoorweging opgemerk. Dít beklemtoon dat Suid-Afrikaanse banke behoort te hou by die wêreldwye beste praktyke vir hulle veld, terwyl hulle steeds die unieke Suid-Afrikaanse omstandighede in ag moet neem. Die tweede fase het elektroniese deursnitvraelyste gebruik om intervaldata oor die dryfkragte agter strategiese innovering en strategiese innoveringskapasiteit in te samel. Die vraelys is ontwikkel uit die eerste fase se bevindinge en is versprei aan 125 individue; 53 volledige response is ontvang, ’n responskoers van 42.4%. Al die konstrukte is met Cronbach se alfa as betroubaar gemeet, en die ingesamelde data is ontleed met beskrywende en inferensiële statistiek. Die bevindinge van die kwantitatiewe fase dui daarop dat die dryfkragte agter strategiese innovering ’n beduidende positiewe verhouding het met strategiese innoveringskapasiteit. Hierdie bevinding onderstreep die belangrike rol wat bestuurders speel in ’n maatskappy se vermoë om stelselmatig strategiese innoveringsinisiatiewe te skep. Kultuur het na vore gekom as die dryfkrag met die sterkste verhouding met strategiese innoveringskapasiteit, wat die belangrikheid beklemtoon van die skep van ’n organisatoriese kultuur wat op innovering toegespits is. Die tweede sterkste dryfkrag was Hulpbronne, gevolg deur Mense, en laastens het Strategieprosesse die laagste beduidende positiewe verhouding met strategiese innoveringskapasiteit gehad. Die bevindinge het ook gewys dat die onderlinge verhoudings tussen die dryfkragte beduidend positief was, met Kultuur wat weereens die sterkste korrelasiewaardes toon. Die belangrikste bydrae van hierdie studie is die empiriese evaluering van die dryfkragte agter strategiese innovering en strategiese innoveringskapasiteit in die Suid-Afrikaanse bankwesekonteks. Die vasstelling van hierdie verhouding skep ’n platform waarop toekomstige studies kan bou. Die bevindinge bied aan bestuur ’n manier om dryfkragvlakke te assesseer, asook voorafgaande elemente om op te fokus wanneer bestuursintervensies gebruik word om hierdie vlakke te verbeter.