Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objective of this research report is to identify alignment factors, symptoms, and remedies influencing the Business and Information Technology (IT) relationship. To put discussions around this topic in context, a sound theoretical basis is built with a background check on the position of IT, relative to the business of an organisation. Through an in-depth literature review, the business value of IT is explained and the vital importance of interaction between these two 'worlds' is discussed, where after the concept of alignment (the bonding agent between these two worlds) is explained. Factors commonly known to impact upon alignment are discussed, together with symptoms characteristically associated with each misaligned problem factor. Lastly, remedies to misaligned factors are collated. Although alignment factors, symptoms, and remedies proved to be fairly interrelated and intertwined, discussions nevertheless aim to describe these in isolation as far as it logically make sense. The following alignment factors were identified in the literature review, and are summarised in Figure 5.2: • Communications. • Technology Scope. • Competency Value measurements. • Governance. • Partnership. • Skills. Findings in the literature review are summarised and condensed, and symptoms and remedies are categorised on factor level to formulate an alignment-guiding framework (Table 5.1 - 5.6). The application of the framework is explained in these four basic steps: • Step 1: Assess the 'health' of a company' alignment factors. • Step 2: Determine the sub-factors' level of alignment. • Step 3: Remedy misaligned factors. • Step 4: Periodical re-evaluation / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsingsverslag is om die belyningsfaktore, simptome, en oplossings wat op die Besigheid en Informasietegnologie (IT) verhouding impakteer, te identifiseer. Om latere besprekings rondom hierdie onderwerp in konteks te sit, word 'n deeglike teoretiese basis gebou met 'n blik op die herkoms van IT, relatief tot die besigheid van die organisasie. Deur middel van 'n deeglike literatuurstudie word die besigheidswaarde van IT en die uiters belangrike interaksie tussen hierdie twee werelde beklemtoon, waarna die konsep van beleining (die gom wat hierdie twee werelde bymekaar hou) verduidelik word. Faktore algemeen bekend as invloedryk op die gebied van belyning, en simptome wat tipies geassosieer word met onbelyningsfaktore word bespreek. Laastens word oplossings vir die geidentifiseerde probleme bymekaar gemaak. Alhoewel belyningsfaktore, simptome, en oplossings bewys is as verbasend naby verwant aan mekaar en deurmekaar gevleg, poog besprekings nietemin am elkeen van die drie in isolasie te bespreek, sover dit logies sin maak. Die volgende belyningsfaktore is deur die literatuurstudie geidentifiseer, en word opgesom in Figuur 5.2: • Kommunikasie. • Tegnologie-dekking. • Bevoegdheid/waarde-metings. • Bestuur. • Vennootskap. • Vaardighede. Simptome en oplossings word op faktor-vlak gekategoriseer ten einde doel die belynings-riglyn raamwerk te ontwikkel (Tabel 5.1 - 5.6). Toepassing van die raamwerk word in vier basiese stappe verduidelik: • Stap 1: "Assess the 'health' of a company' alignment factors." • Stap 2: "Determine the sub-factors' level of alignment." • Stap 3: "Remedy misaligned factors." • Stap 4: "Periodical re-evaluation."

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between emotional intelligence, burnout and absenteeism of bus drivers in the scheduled public bus services industry. A controlled inquiry of non-experimental research was used. In addition, correlational and multivariate research, as a form of relational research, was employed to explore the relationships between the three constructs. The constructs were defined as follows: emotional intelligence as the basic capacity of a person to identify and utilise emotion (Goleman, 1998); burnout as a syndrome consisting of three negative response patterns which include: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and diminished personal accomplishment. (Maslach & Jackson 1986, in Schaufeli & Buunk, 2003) and absenteeism as the average numbers of days a driver was absent from work. A sample of 245 bus driver employees was drawn from the depots of Golden Arrow Bus Services (Pty) Ltd. The Swinburne Emotional Intelligence Test (Palmer & Stough, 2001) and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (Kristensen, Borritz, Villadsen & Christensen, 2005) were administered. The results showed that there was a moderate negative relationship between emotional intelligence and burnout. Emotional management (a dimension of emotional intelligence) was negatively related to all three the dimensions of burnout namely personal burnout, work burnout and client burnout (a dimension of burnout), indicating that where bus drivers are capable of managing emotions, levels of burnout would typically decrease. In exploring the relationship between the dimensions of emotional intelligence and absenteeism, no statistically significant relationships were found. In exploring the different dimensions of burnout in their relationship to absenteeism, it did however indicate a small, yet significant positive relationship between work-related burnout and absenteeism. This suggested that bus drivers with a low score in terms of work-related burnout would experience less absenteeism. The limitations of the study and recommendations for future research were discussed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om die verwantskap tussen emosionele intelligensie, uitbranding en afwesigheid van busdrywers in die geskeduleerde publieke busbedryf te ondersoek. Daar is gebruik gemaak van 'n nie-eksperimentele navorsingsontwerp (nl. 'n verkennende opnamestudie) ten einde die verband tussen die konstrukte en hul subdimensies te ondersoek. Daarbenewens is korrelatiewe en meerveranderlike navorsing gebruik as 'n vorm van relasionele navorsing om die verhouding tussen die drie konstrukte te ondersoek. Die konstrukte is soos volg gedefinieer: emosionele intelligensie as die basiese kapasiteit van 'n persoon om emosie te identifiseer en te gebruik (Goleman, 1998); uitbranding as 'n sindroom bestaande uit drie negatiewe responskomponente: emosionele uitputting, depersonalisasie en veminderde gevoel van persoonlike bekwaamheid (Maslach & Jackson 1986, in Schaufeli & Buunk, 2003) en afwesigheid as die gemiddelde hoeveelheid dae wat 'n drywer afwesig was by die werk. 'n Steekproef van 245 busdrywers verbonde aan Golden Arrow Bus Services (Edms) Bpk is geneem. Die respondente het die twee vraelyste, nl. die Swinbume Emotional Intelligence Test (Palmer & Stough, 2001) en die Copenhagen Bumout Inventory (Kristensen, Borritz, Villadsen & Christensen, 2005) voltooi. Die resultate wys dat daar 'n matige negatiewe verhouding bestaan tussen emosionele intelligensie en uitbranding. Die bestuur van emosies, 'n onderafdeling van uitbranding, is negatief verbind aan al drie die onderafdelings van uitbranding nl. persoonlike uitbranding, werksuitbranding en klientuitbranding. Dit dui daarop dat waar busdrywers bevoeg is om hul emosies te bestuur, vlakke van uitbranding tipies sal verminder. In die ondersoek na die verhouding tussen emosionele intelligensie en afwesigheid is geen betekenisvolle statistiese verhoudings geidentifiseer nie. In die ondersoek na die verhouding tussen die onderafdelings van uitbranding en afwesigheid, is 'n klein, dog betekenisvolle, positiewe verhouding geidentifiseer tussen werksuitbranding en afwesigheid. Dit suggereer dat busdrywers met 'n lae werksuitbrandingsvlak minder afwesig sal wees. Die beperkinge van die studie en voorstelle vir toekomstige navorsing is bespreek.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 1998. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study project reformulates an international strategy by following a systematic process of executive strategic tasks. These tasks are to determine the current strategy, the strategic intent, perform a gap analysis, scan the external and internal environment, determine the competitive advantage and strategy formulation in the international market, perform a situation analysis, potential alliances and the implementation of the strategy. The industry sector studied is the Airborne Surveillance market which is serviced by military and commercial product suppliers. A strong parallel is then drawn between this international strategy plan and champion companies for the new millennium. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie werkstuk herformuleer 'n internasionale strategie deur 'n sistematiese proses van strategiese take uit te voer. Hierdie take is om die volgende te bepaal: die huidige strategie, die beoogde strategie, die gapingsanalise, skandering van die eksterne en interne omgewing, om die kompeterende voordeel te bepaal, 'n situasie analise te doen, 'n strategiese formulering vir die internasionale mark, moontlike alliansies en die implementering van hierdie strategie. Die industrie wat ondersoek word is die Lugobservasie mark wat bedien word deur die militere en siviele produkverskaffers. 'n Sterk parallel word getrek tussen hierdie internasionale strategiese plan en wenner maatskappye vir die nuwe millennium.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is entitled: "An investigation into the industry attractiveness of the residential mortgage origination industry for entrepreneurs in the Western Cape region of South Africa". The South African mortgage origination industry dates back to 1998 when Mortgage.com approached the banks to originate home loans via the Internet. The USA had seen a rise in the deployment of these websites and predictions where that the platform would outstrip physical channels. This was not to be, but this led to the establishment of Mortgage SA. The mortgage origination industry experienced rapid growth since its inception and was considered to be highly attractive in terms of revenues and opportunity. However, because of the oligopolistic structure of the industry, non-competitiveness of smaller originators ascribed to lower commission rates offered to them by financial institutions and optimal profit levels being reached, it appears that the mortgage origination industry is becoming less attractive than it used to be. The primary objective of the study was to draw conclusions on the fundamental industry attractiveness of the mortgage origination industry for entrepreneurs in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Secondary objectives included; determining whether the mortgage origination industry is still a viable or profitable industry for entrepreneurs to explore, examining the current state of the mortgage origination industry, investigating the key issues and problems facing the mortgage origination industry and establish the entry and exit barriers as well as the feasibility of the industry for new entrants. This study was a culmination of literature from various sources, researching theories, views and perceptions regarding mortgage origination in South Africa. Various websites, newspaper articles, journals and books were used as part of the research process to deepen the researcher's understanding of the mortgage origination industry, its roles and functions. Secondary research was conducted in the form of a literature review which provided a better understanding of the mortgage origination industry, provided an introduction to industry attractiveness and provided a basis for the primary research. Primary research was conducted by means of personal one-to-one interviews with key decision makers from a predominantly external (client) as well as an internal (mortgage originator) perspective. To avoid bias and ensure an overall perspective of the industry, it was important that the sample be reflective of role players involved in the mortgage origination process, including home buyers (investors), estate agents, mortgage originators, lawyers and lenders (banks). The methodology employed for the purpose of the study was qualitative. The interviews were conducted by means of using a discussion guide and were based on the respondent's personal experience with the industry as a whole. To answer the research question as set out in the research problem as well as fulfil the objectives of this study, it was essential that the selected sample be representative of stakeholders in the mortgage origination industry, and a purposive or judgemental sample was selected using non-probability sampling. Overall, the mortgage industry is not as attractive as it used to be, yet it cannot be deemed to be completely unattractive either. On an average the industry is attractive. The research hypothesis can, therefore, neither be accepted nor rejected with confidence. Considering the current economic climate and market conditions, one would be tempted to reject the research hypothesis, but a positive economic turn would cause the industry to become attractive again. Finally, it is recommended a more detailed analysis of the industry be conducted. The methodology employed for the purpose of this study was qualitative, as exhaustive quantitative research was not required. Furthermore, it is recommended that a quantitative approach be utilised to verify the results of the study. Furthermore, it is also recommended that the mortgage origination industry be analysed in terms of its fundamental attractiveness every one to three years, as strategies need to be re-examined as events unfold. An accurate diagnosis of the industry is necessary for deciding on a sound long-term direction, setting appropriate objectives and crafting winning strategies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie se titel is: "'n Ondersoek na die industrie-aantreklikheid van die residensiele verbandopnemingsindustrie vir ondernemers in die Wes-Kaapse streek van Suid-Afrika". Die Suid-Afrikaanse verbandopnemingsindustrie dateer terug na 1998 toe Mortgage.com die banke genader het om huislenings op te neem via die Internet. Die VSA het 'n toename in die aanwending van sulke webtuistes ervaar en daar is voorspel dat hierdie platform fisiese kanale sou verbysteek. Dit het nie gebeur nie, maar dit het tot die stigting van Mortgage SA gelei. Die verbandopnemingsindustrie het vinnige groei sedert sy stigting beleef en is gesien as hoogs aantreklik ingevolge inkomste en geleentheid. As gevolg egter van die oligopolistiese struktuur van die industrie, die gebrek aan mededingendheid van kleiner opnemers wat toegeskryf is aan laer kommissiekoerse wat finansiele instellings aan hulle aangebied het en optimale winsvlakke wat behaal is, kom dit voor asof die verbandopnemingsindustrie minder aantreklik raak as wat dit vantevore was. Die primere oogmerk van die studie is om tot gevolgtrekkings te kom oor die fundamentele industrie-aantreklikheid van die verbandopnemingsindustrie vir ondernemers in die Wes-Kaapse streek van Suid-Afrika. Sekondere oogmerke sluit in om vas te stel of die verbandopnemingsindustrie steeds 'n lewensvatbare of winsgewende industrie is vir ondernemers om te ontgin, om die huidige status van die verbandopnemingsindustrie na te gaan, om die sleutelkwessies en probleme wat die verbandopnemingsindustrie raak, na te vors en om vas te stel wat die binnekoms- en verlatingsversperrings is, asook hoe uitvoerbaar dit vir nuwe toetreders is om tot die industrie toe te tree. Hierdie studie was 'n samevoegingspunt van literatuur vanuit verskeie bronne, navorsingsteoriee, menings en persepsies aangaande verbandopneming in Suid Afrika. Verskeie webtuistes, koerantartikels en boeke is geraadpleeg as deel van die navorsingsproses om die navorser se begrip van die verbandopnemingsindustrie, sy rol en funksies te verdiep. Sekondere navorsing is onderneem by wyse van 'n literatuuroorsig wat 'n beter begrip geskep het van die verbandopnemingsindustrie, 'n inleiding tot industrie-aantreklikheid verskaf het en ook 'n basis vir die primere navorsing daargestel het. Die primere navorsing is onderneem by wyse van een-tot-een onderhoude met sleutelbesluitnemers vanuit 'n oorwegend eksterne (klient) asook 'n interne (verbandopnemer) perspektief. Om bevooroordeeldheid te vermy en 'n oorhoofse perspektief van die industrie te verseker, was dit belangrik dat die steekproef verteenwoordigend van die betrokke rolspelers in die verbandopnemingsindustrie sou wees, insluitende huiskopers (beleggers), eiendomsagente, verbandopnemers, prokureurs en leners (banke). Die metodologie wat vir die doel van die studie aangewend is, was kwalitatief. Die onderhoude is gevoer deur middel van die gebruik van 'n besprekingsgids en is gebaseer op die respondent se persoonlike ervaring van die industrie as 'n geheel. Ten einde die navorsingsvraag te beantwoord, asook om te voldoen aan die oogmerke van die studie, was dit noodsaaklik dat die geselekteerde steekproef verteenwoordigend moes wees van die belanghebbendes in die verbandopnemersindustrie. 'n Doelgerigte of beoordelende steekproef is gekies met gebruikmaking van 'n nie-waarskynlikheidsteekproef. Oorhoofs is die verbandindustrie nie meer so aantreklik soos vroeer nie, maar dit kan egter ook nie as totaal onaantreklik gereken word nie. Die industrie is gemiddeld aantreklik. Die navorsingshipotese kan dus met vertroue nog aanvaar nog verwerp word. Met inagneming van die huidige ekonomiese klimaat en markomstandighede, sou mens geneig wees om die navorsingshipotese te verwerp, maar 'n positiewe ekonomiese opbloei sou weer daartoe lei dat die industrie aantreklik word. Dit word laastens aanbeveel dat 'n meer gedetailleerde analise van die industrie onderneem word. Die metodologie wat vir die doel van die studie gebruik is, was kwalitatief, aangesien uitvoerige kwantitatiewe navorsing nie nodig was nie. Dit word verder aanbeveel dat 'n kwantitatiewe ondersoek onderneem word om die resultate van die studie te verifieer. Dit word ook aanbeveel dat die verbandopnemingsindustrie elke een tot drie jaar geanaliseer word ingevolge sy fundamentele aantreklikheid, aangesien strategiee telkens beproef behoort te word namate gebeure ontvou. 'n Akkurate diagnose van die nywerheid is noodsaaklik om op 'n gesonde langtermynkoers te besluit, om op gepaste doelwitte te besluit en om wennerstrategiee te formuleer.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: With the collapse of large multi-national companies such as Enron early in the new millennium, the focus on corporate governance increased due to stakeholders and shareholders alike demanding more protection of their interests. Countries across the world developed codes and acts such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the USA, in order to establish some form of enforceable governance on publicly listed companies. In South Africa likewise the King II report on corporate governance was published in 2002. Corporate governance provides protection to stakeholders, internal and external, by focusing on the accuracy and transparency of the information published by companies, reporting the financial well-being of the company by providing projected cash flows, the responsibility and accountability of executives towards stakeholders, and also on the management of risk. Projects and project management play a major role in most companies and can have a significant effect on its cash flow, risk and reporting, and therefore corporate governance can have a marked impact on how projects could, or should be managed. This can be seen as project governance, a subset of the overall governance strategy of the company. To date not much research has been done on how governance influences projects and what is to be considered 'good project governance'. Apart from some smaller project management consulting firms, the Association for Project Management (APM) in the UK is the only one to have done some work of real importance in this area with the establishment of their 11 principles for effective project governance. In this research report the focus is on how projects are influenced by corporate governance by analysing aspects such as planning, reporting, risk management and project audits. The benefits which good project governance hold for a company, besides the protection of its stakeholder's interests, is also examined. Lastly guidelines are established for effective project governance by studying existing models, such as that created by the APM, as well as the King II report on corporate governance to try and make it more relevant to conditions in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Met die ineenstorting van groot multinasionale instellings soos Enron vroeg in die nuwe eeu, is daar toenemend gefokus op korporatiewe beheer, omdat beide belanghebbers en aandeelhouers aangedring het op groter beskerming van hul belange. Lande wereldwyd het kodes en wette ontwikkel. soos die Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) in die VSA, ten einde een of ander vorm van afdwingbare beheer op openbaargenoteerde maatskappye daar te stel. In Suid-Afrika ingelyks is die King II verslag oor korporatiewe beheer in 2002 gepubliseer. Korporatiewe beheer verleen beskerming aan belanghebbers, intern sowel as ekstern, deur te fokus op akkurate en deursigtige inligting wat maatskappye bekend maak, verslae oor die finansiele welstand van maatskappye deur middel van geprojekteerde kontantvloei, verantwoordelikheid en aanspreeklikheid van uitvoerende beamptes teenoor belanghebbers, asook duidelikheid oor risikobestuur. Projekte en projekbestuur speel 'n belangrike rol in die oorgrote meerderheid maatskappye en kan 'n beduidende uitwerking he op kontantvloei, risiko en verslagdoening. Juis weens hierdie oorwegings kan korporatiewe beheer 'n aanmerklike impak he op die wyse waarop projekte bestuur, of behoort bestuur te word. Dit kan beskou word as projekbeheer, 'n onderafdeling van die oorkoepelende beheerstrategie van 'n maatskappy. Min navorsing is nog gedoen oor die invloed van beheer op projekte, asook wat beskou kan word as 'goeie projekbeheer'. Afgesien van enkele kleiner projekbeheer konsultantmaatskappye, is die Association for Project Management (APM) in Brittanje die enigste wat werklik substantiewe leiding op hierdie terrein gebied het, soos blyk uit hul ontwikkeling van 11 beginsels vir doeltreffende projekbeheer. In hierdie navorsingsverslag word gefokus op hoe projekte beinvloed word deur korporatiewe beheer, deur kwessies soos beplanning, veslagdoening, risikobestuur en projekouditte te analiseer. Voordele wat goeie projekbeheer vir 'n maatskappy inhou, naas beskerming van belanghebbers se belange, word eweneens ondersoek. Enkele riglyne word laastens ontwikkel vir doeltreffende projekbeheer, deur bestaande modelle te bestudeer, soos die van APM en die King II verslag oor korporatiewe beheer, om dit meer relevant te maak vir Suid-Afrikaanse toestande.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 1987.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Management make use of e-mail as a tool to enable them to do their daily tasks. E-mail is used as one of the best communication channels by management. Sishen Mine also makes use of e-mail as communication channel. The question however is whether e-mail has a positive or negative impact on management effectiveness. The history of e-mail as well as the reasons for e-mail use have been investigated. The different areas of use of email were discussed. Additional to this, the positive effects experienced by the individual as well as companies when using e-mail were highlighted and discussed. Unfortunately e-mail also has negative influences on the individual and the company and these were also highlighted and discussed. Data was obtained from the Sishen e-mail application in order to analyse the use of e-mail by the employees. The key insight from the e-mail application data was that a small group of employees send and receive the majority of e-mail at Sishen. A survey was sent out to all e-mail users at Sishen in order to determine the influence of e-mail on management effectiveness. The survey data enabled a detailed geographic analysis of the e-mail users at Sishen per department, gender, race, age and years of service as well as the details of the respondents. Analysis of the survey data revealed that e-mail has a positive impact on management effectiveness and that Sishen uses e-mail extensively. However, the data also revealed that e-mail impacts negatively on management effectiveness. The key insight from the survey was the extreme low levels of computer and e-mail training done by management. The lack of sufficient e-mail training was seen as one of the major contributing factors of high levels of frustration with e-mail experienced by management. Recommendations were made to Sishen as a result of the study to enable improvement of management effectiveness through the use of e-mail. Implementation of key recommendations with potential key positive impact was also highlighted. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Bestuur gebruik e-pos as 'n gereedskapstuk om uitvoering aan hul take te gee deur middel van die kommunikasiekanaal wat e-pos bied. E-pos leen hom daarna om 'n uitstekende kanaal te wees vir kommunikasie. Sishen Myn gebnuik ook e-pos as 'n kommunikasiekanaal. Die vraag is of die kommunikasiekanaal 'n goeie of slegte invloed het op bestuurseffektiwiteit van die bestuur van die myn. Die geskiedenis van e-pos en die redes vir die gebruik van e-pos is ondersoek. Die verskillende gebruike asook die waarde van e-pos vir die individu en maatskappye is uitgelig. E-pos het ongelukkig ook nadele vir die individu en maatskappye en hierdie nadele is uitgewys en bespreek. Na die toepaslike literatuurstudie is inligting vanaf die e-pos databasis onttrek om die e-pos gebruik van Sishen werknemers te evalueer. Die belangrikste insig vanuit die databasis-ontleding het daarop gedui dat 'n klein hoeveelheid mense die grootste hoeveelheid e-posse binne Sishen stuur en ontvang. 'n Vraelys is tydens 'n meningsopname aan alle e-pos gebruikers binne Sishen uitgestuur om die invloed van e-pos op bestuurseffektiwiteit te bepaal. Vanuit die analise van die vraelys inligting was dit moontlik om geografiese samestelling van die e-pos gebruikers te bepaal. Dit was moontlik om te sien hoeveel werknemers per afdeling, geslag, ras, ouderdom en jare diens e-pos gebruikers is, asook om die besonderhede van die gebruikers vas te stel. Verdere analise van die vraelysinligting het aangedui dat e-pos 'n positiewe uitwerking op bestuurseffektiwiteit het en dat werknemers dit goed gebruik. Ongelukkig het dit ook na vore gekom dat daar genoegsame bewyse is dat daar ook negatiewe invloed op bestuurseffektiwiteit is. Die mees insiggewende was die besonder lae vlakke van rekenaar en e-pos opleiding wat bestuur deurloop het. Dit word gesien as een van die grootste bydraende faktore tot die hoe vlakke van frustrasie wat ervaar word deur bestuur. Vanuit die bevindinge van die vraelys is daar aanbevelings aan Sishen gemaak om sodoende te help om die bestuurseffektiwiteit te bevorder deur die gebruik van e-pos. Die potensiele voordele wat verkry kan word wanneer die aanbevelings implementeer word, is ook aangedui.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research study investigates the impact of different leadership styles on group performance and group cohesiveness within a highly technical environment. A secondary study is conducted to assess the relationship between group performance and group cohesiveness. The literature provides information on the three main topics, namely leadership, performance and cohesiveness. The statistical information was gathered using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, the Teamness Index Questionnaire and the 2008 performance ratings of the technical company. A sample of 16 leaders and 173 raters were used to complete the questionnaires. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to determine the transformational and transactional leadership dimensions of each leader, while the Teamness Index was used to assess the group cohesiveness. The group performance ratings were obtained from the managers of the respective groups. All the data was statistically analysed to determine the relationships between the dependent variables (performance and cohesiveness) and the independent variables (transformational leadership, transactional leadership and cohesiveness). The research revealed that there is a positive correlation between performance and the leadership styles, as well as between group cohesiveness and the leadership styles. The strongest positive correlation was found between performance and group cohesiveness. Although these positive correlations were present, the research found a single significant positive linear relationship through regression analysis between cohesiveness and the transformational leadership style. No other significant relationships could be established through hypotheses testing. This research adds a new dimension to group performance, leadership and group cohesiveness. This research is significant in that no similar research exists within the South African context and it thus adds to the body of leadership knowledge. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die impak van verskillende leierskapstyle op groepprestasie en groepsamehang in 'n hoogs tegniese omgewing. 'n Sekondere ondersoek is gedoen om die verhouding tussen groepprestasie en groepsamehang te bepaal. Die literatuurstudie werp lig op die drie hoofonderwerpe, naamlik leierskap, prestasie en samehang. Die statistiese inligting is ingesamel deur die gebruik van die "Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire", "Teamness Index Questionnaire" en die 2008-prestasiebeoordelings van die tegniese maatskappy. 'n Steekproef van 16 leiers en 173 beoordelaars is gebruik om die vraelys te beantwoord. Die "Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire" is gebruik om vas te stel wat die transformasionele en transaksionele leierskapsdimensies van elke leier is, terwyl die "Teamness Index" die groepsamehang bepaal het. Die groepprestasiebeoordelings is van die bestuurders van die onderskeie groepe verkry. Al die data is op 'n statistiese wyse geanaliseer om die verhoudings tussen die afhanklike veranderlikes (prestasie en samehang) en die onafhanklike veranderlikes (transformasionele leierskap, transaksionele leierskap en samehang) te bepaal. Hierdie studie het bevind dat daar 'n positiewe korrelasie bestaan tussen prestasie en leierskapstyle, en ook tussen groepsamehang en leierskapstyle. Die sterkste positiewe korrelasie is tussen prestasie en groepsamehang bespeur. Selfs al is hierdie positiewe korrelasies geidentifiseer, kon slegs 'n enkele betekenisvolle positiewe liniêre verhouding vasgestel word tussen groep samehang en transformasionele leierskapstyl. Geen ander betekenisvolle verhoudings kon deur die toetsing van die hipotese vasgestel word nie. Die ondersoek voeg 'n nuwe dimensie tot groepprestasie, leierskap en groepsamehang. Die studie is betekenisvol omdat daar geen ander soortgelyke studie in 'n Suid Afrikaanse raamwerk bestaan nie, en dus dra dit by tot die leierskapskennisgebied.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Kenya has historically depended on its coffee industry as a major contributor to foreign exchange earnings and farm incomes. Between 1975 and 1986, coffee was Kenya's leading foreign exchange earner, contributing over 40 percent of total foreign exchange earnings. But since 1988, the Kenya coffee industry has undergone a rapid decline, characterised by very low export earnings, a huge decrease in production and productivity and consequently, increased poverty amongst coffee farmers. By 2000, it contributed only 10 percent of total foreign exchange earnings. This decline has arisen due to the global coffee crisis, in other words, the persisting large imbalance between supply (production) and demand (consumption), that has led to a major collapse in world coffee prices. Given the fact that the coffee crisis is expected to persist for several years to come, this study attempts to formulate coffee industry proposals that would lead to the optimisation of Kenya's coffee potential, as well as increased international competitiveness. Towards this end, it evaluates the intricate supply and demand patterns in the world coffee market to try to identify where the opportunities lie. It is found that even though the overall demand for coffee is growing slowly, there is an emerging niche or specialty coffee market that has arisen owing to new consumption patterns and increased awareness and preference by consumers of premium coffee origins. This niche market offers a route to rising standards of living to farmers, such as those in Kenya, who grow premium quality coffees. It is recommended that Kenya should pursue intense value addition of her coffee to enable her capture a bigger portion of her export sales. Similarly, Kenya will need to alter her production and marketing strategy to feed the emerging niche market instead of the mainstream market, as is currently the case. Furthermore, it is suggested Kenya should strive to increase domestic consumption, which is currently negligible. Other proposals that will support increased competitiveness of Kenya's coffee industry include reducing the cost of coffee production and improving the efficiency and performance of producer organisations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kenia is baie afhanklik van hul koffie-industrie aangesien dit 'n wesenlike bydrae tot die land se buitelandse valuta en binnelandse boerdery-inkomste lewer. Tussen 1975 en 1986 het koffie die meeste buitelandse valuta vir Kenia gegenereer. Hierdie prestasie kon egter nie volgehou word nie en sedert 1988 het Kenia se koffie-industrie agteruit geboer. Hierdie tydperk is gekenmerk deur verlaagde uitvoerverdienstes, en afnames in produksie en produktiwiteit wat grootskaalse armoede onder koffieboere teweeg gebring het. In 2000 het koffie-uitvoere slegs 10 persent van Kenia se buitelandse verdienstes bygedra. Hierdie negatiewe tendens is veroorsaak deur die globale koffiekrisis, oftewel die wanbalans tussen vraag (verbruik) en aanbod (produksie), wat internasionale koffiepryse tot baie lae vlakke gedryf het. Aangesien dit blyk asof die globale koffiekrisis vir nog 'n hele paar jaar sal aanhou, gaan hierdie navorsingsprojek poog om voorstelle vir Kenia se koffie-industrie te formuleer. Die voorstelle is gemik op die optimalisering van Kenia S8 koffie-industrie en om die land in staat te stel om internasionaal te kompeteer. Die navorsing evalueer ook die heersende intrinsieke patrone van vraag en aanbod in die wereld koffiemark en probeer om geleenthede te identifiseer. Dit is byvoorbeeld bevind dat alhoewel die totale vraag na koffie wereldwyd stadig toeneem, daar ontluikende nismarkte vir spesiale koffies onstaan het as gevolg van nuwe verbruikspatrone, asook 'n toenemende bewustheid van top gehalte koffie. Dit is veral verbruiksvoorkeure vir topgehalte koffie van 'n spesifieke gebied van oorsprong wat baie relevant is vir Kenia en dit is juis hierdie nismarkte wat 'n guide geleentheid bied aan Kenia se topgehalte koffieboere. Dit word dus aanbeveel dat Kenia op waardetoevoeging tot hul bestaande koffiebronne fokus, wat groter buitelandse valuta teweeg kan bring. Kenia sal egter hul produksie- en bemarkingstrategiee dienooreenkomstig moet aanpas om die fokus van die hoofstroom koffiemark na die ontluikende nismarkte te skuil. 'n Verdere voorstel is dat Kenia sy plaaslike koffie-verbruik vergroot en stimuleer aangesien dit tans baie laag is. Ander voorstelle wat Kenia se mededigingsvermoe in die koffiemark kan verbeter, sluit in inisiatiewe om produksiekostes te verlaag, asook om die effektiwiteit en prestasie van produsente-organisasies ta verbeter.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The sustainable growth rate of a company is investigated, by comparing the self-financeable growth rate as defined by Churchill and Mullins (2001), with the cash flow sustainable growth rate as defined by Hamman (1996). The purpose of this research is to identify the behaviour, characteristics and benefits that each rate displays by investigating changes in sales growth, profit margins, working capital and cash flow analysis. The biggest difference between the self-financeable growth rate (Churchill & Mullins, 2001) and the cash flow sustainable growth rate (Hamman, 1996) is the definition of cash as generated from sales (self-financeable growth rate) and cash generated from operating activities (cash flow sustainable growth rate). Cash generated from sales includes accounts receivable or payable, and represents the amount of cash that is available to reinvest in the growth of a company (according to the self-financeable growth rate). Because this cash (calculated for the self-financeable growth rate) is not immediately realised, the cash flow sustainable growth rate (based on cash flow from operating activities) represents a better measurement of cash available for reinvestment. If the percentage sales growth is less than the cash flow sustainable growth rate (Hamman, 1996), a positive sustainable cash flow from operating activities will be generated. The report also shows this to be true, when the self-financeable growth rate is less than or equal to the cash flow sustainable growth rate. When the growth in sales exceeds the cash flow sustainable growth rate, negative cash flow from operating activities is experienced. This is an indication that internal funding to support the working capital requirements is insufficient and external funding is required. In this investigation the self-financeable growth rate (Churchill & Mullins, 2001), always reflects a positive cash flow from operating activities, regardless of whether the percentage sales growth is higher or lower than that of the self-financeable growth rate. This leads to the question: What check is used to ascertain a company's sustainable performance when using the self-financeable growth rate? That is, if the self-financeable growth rate is exceeded by the sales growth, what indicator becomes relevant under the specific circumstances? As highlighted by Churchill and Mullins (2001), the benefits of sustainable growth rates, provide insight into the short and long-term decisions in a company with regards to: • Reducing overall costs • Changing the profit margins • Managing the working capital requirements • Changing the operating cash cycle. What matters most is not how fast a company can grow its business, but the way in which it is managed. Increasing competitiveness requires innovative ways of optimising resources, but without efficient management of cash flow, a company is most likely to fail. This report, illustrates that, compared to the self-financeable growth rate, the cash flow sustainable growth rate is a more effective tool, in addressing sustainable growth and the management of cash. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Maatskappy se volhoubare groeikoers word ondersoek deur 'n vergelyking te tref tussen die self-gefinansierde groeikoers van Churchill en Mullins (2001), en die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers van Hamman (1996). Die doel van die navorsing, is om die verandering in verkope, winsgrense, bedryfskapitaal en die kontantvloei ontleding te ondersoek, ten einde die aard, kenmerke en voordele van die groeikoerse te bepaal. Die grootste verskil tussen die self-gefinansierde groeikoers van Churchill en Mullins (2001), en die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers van Hamman (1996) is die definisie van die kontant gegenereer uit verkope (self-gefinansierde groeikoers) en die kontant gegenereer uit bedryfsaktiwiteite (kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers). Kontant gegenereer uit verkope sluit in rekeninge ontvangbaar of betaalbaar en verteenwoordig die bekikbaarheid van kontant wat herbele kan word in 'n maatskappy se groei (volgens die self-gefinansierde groeikoers). Omdat die kontant (self-gefinansierde groeikoers) nie ommiddelik gerealiseer kan word nie, is die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers (kontant gegenereer uit bedryfsaktiwiteite) 'n beter verteenwoordiger van beskikbare kontant wat herbele kan word. As die presentasie groei in verkope minder is as die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers (Hamman, 1996) sal 'n positiewe volhoubare kontantvloei vir bedryfsaktiwiteite gegenereer word. Die verslag dui aan dat bogenoemde ook geld, as die self-gefinansierde groeikoers kleiner of gelyk is aan die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers. Wanneer die groei in verkope groter word as die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers, word negatiewe kontantvloei vir bedryfsaktiwiteite gegenereer. Hierdie is 'n aanduiding dat die interne befondsing wat benodig word om die bedryfskapitaal te bevredig, nie voldoende is nie en eksterne befondsing benodig word. In hierdie ondersoek reflekteer die self-gefinansierde groeikoers (Churchill & Mullins, 2001) altyd 'n positiewe kontantvloei vir bedryfsaktiwiteite, ongeag of die groei in verkope groter of kleiner is as die van die self-gefinansierde groeikoers. Dit lei tot die volgende vraag: Watter maatslaf word gebruik om die volhoubare groei van 'n maatskappy te bepaal as die self-gefinansierde groeikoers toegepas word? Anders gestel, as die groei in verkope, die self-gefinansierde groeikoers oorskry, watter toepaslike aanduiding is relevant onder hierdie omstandighede? Soos beklemloon deur Churchill en Mullins (2001), gee die voordele van volhoubare groeikoerse, insig in kort en langtermyn besluite in 'n maatskappy met betrekking tot: • Vermindering van totale koste • Verandering in winsgrense • Bestuur van bedryfskapitaal behoeftes • Verandering in die bedryfs kontant siklus. Wat van belang is, is nie hoe vinnig 'n maatskappy kan groei nie, maar wat die beste manier is, om dit te bestuur. 'n Verhoging in kompetisie, benodig innoverende maniere om bronne te kan optimiseer en sonder effektiewe betuur van kontant, bestaan die moontlikheid dat 'n maatskappy hierin kan misluk. Hierdie verslag illuslreer, deur te vergelyk met die van die self-gefinansierde groeikoers, dat die kontantvloei volhoubare groeikoers 'n beter, effektiewe maatstaf is, wat betref die adressering van volhoubare groei en die bestuur van kontant.