In the professional services industry, it is no secret that people are the greatest assets. The investment in human capital is the core of the business, the dividends of which can never be under-estimated. The continued success of the professional services firm therefore lies in being able to retain that investment within the organisation. The current high rate of turnover within the firm, and in the professional services industry, is indeed a big challenge for management. One that necessitates a review into a variety of ways of keeping the talent within the firm. This research study was commissioned to look into one of the proposed initiatives for retaining employees; that of wealth creation. The aim was to source the views of employees on wealth creation as a way of increasing the rate of retention or otherwise as well as identify the preferred structure of such a scheme. The results of the research showed that employees deem financial remuneration to be highly important and would stay with the firm longer if provided with a wealth initiative. There was preference for a short to medium term scheme rather than a long term one, with some particular suggested schemes coming out as preferred favourites than others. Respondents also went further to highlight other factors that were contributing to loss of talent within the firm. The responses from the survey have been comprehensively analysed and recommendations made on the implementation of the wealth creation scheme. / Graduate School for Business Leadership / (M.B.A.)

In the professional services industry, it is no secret that people are the greatest assets. The investment in human capital is the core of the business, the dividends of which can never be under-estimated. The continued success of the professional services firm therefore lies in being able to retain that investment within the organisation. The current high rate of turnover within the firm, and in the professional services industry, is indeed a big challenge for management. One that necessitates a review into a variety of ways of keeping the talent within the firm. This research study was commissioned to look into one of the proposed initiatives for retaining employees; that of wealth creation. The aim was to source the views of employees on wealth creation as a way of increasing the rate of retention or otherwise as well as identify the preferred structure of such a scheme. The results of the research showed that employees deem financial remuneration to be highly important and would stay with the firm longer if provided with a wealth initiative. There was preference for a short to medium term scheme rather than a long term one, with some particular suggested schemes coming out as preferred favourites than others. Respondents also went further to highlight other factors that were contributing to loss of talent within the firm. The responses from the survey have been comprehensively analysed and recommendations made on the implementation of the wealth creation scheme. / Graduate School for Business Leadership / (M.B.A.)

Cette thèse a pour objectif de démêler la nature de la relation entre « actionnariat salarié » et « création de valeur », dans le cadre de la gouvernance actionnariale et partenariale. Les principaux résultats dégagés montrent que la relation entre « actionnariat salarié » et « création de valeur actionnariale » est curvilinéaire prenant la forme de U-inversé : elle est positive pour des niveaux faibles d’actionnariat salarié et négative si le pourcentage de droits de vote revenant aux salariés dépasse 3%. Aussi, un effet positif de l’ « actionnariat salarié » sur la « part de la valeur créée allouée aux salariés » est constaté, et ce uniquement pour un actionnariat salarié significatif. Au dessous du taux de 3%, le pourcentage du capital et le pourcentage des droits de vote détenus par les salariés ne montrent aucune influence significative. Quant à l’étude de l’influence de certains mécanismes de contrôle sur la relation étudiée, les principaux résultats dégagés se résument comme suit : Au-delà du seuil stratégique légal de 33%, la concentration du capital semble avoir un effet de modération positif sur la relation actionnariat salarié - création de valeur actionnariale et la relation actionnariat salarié - part de la valeur créée allouée aux salariés. La propriété managériale, si elle dépasse le seuil stratégique légal de 33%, semble modérer négativement la relation actionnariat salarié - création de valeur actionnariale et positivement la relation actionnariat salarié - part de la valeur créée allouée aux salariés. La participation de salariés actionnaires au conseil modère négativement la relation entre « actionnariat salarié » et « création de valeur actionnariale » ; alors qu’elle modère positivement la relation entre « actionnariat salarié » et « part de la valeur créée allouée aux salariés ». / The present thesis investigates the nature of relationship between the employee stock ownership and the wealth creation, in the framework of the shareholder governance and the stakeholder governance. Results indicate a non linear relation between both the employee stock ownership and the shareholder value creation taking an inversed-U form. In fact, a positive relation associates these variables for low levels of employee stock ownership. Starting from a level of 3%, the relation became negative. Results notice also a positive impact of employee stock ownership plan on the share of value allocated to employees when the percentage of employee stock ownership is significant. Under than 3% the employee stock ownership and the voting rights held by the employees presents a non significant impact. The principal results on the influence of certain mechanisms of control on the studied relationship between the employee stock ownership plan and the wealth creation are summarized as follows : Beyond the legal strategic level of 33%, the concentration of capital seems to have a positive moderating effect on the relation employee stock ownership plan – shareholder wealth creation and the relation employee stock ownership plan - share of the wealth allocated to the employees. The management ownership if exceeds the legal strategic level of 33% seems to exert a negative moderating effect on the relation between employee stock ownership and shareholder wealth creation but a positive one on the relation between the employee stock ownership and the share of the wealth allocated to the employees. The presence of the employees’ shareholder in the board of directors moderates negatively the relationship between the employee stock ownership plan and the shareholder wealth creation and positively that between the employee stock ownership plan and the share of the wealth allocated to the employees.

This work introduces an alternative paradigm that claims that the primary industry of imperial Ethiopia has been (and still is) one that has evolved around the Abyssinian national mission vis-a-vis the populations it rules from a point of conquest. Abyssinia, like Catholic Spain in the Americas, carried out a series of 'civilising' missions (Christianising), that has spanned centuries to modern times. Around a theocratic mission evolved a service type industry, the author calls theo-industry. On that basis, the work demonstrates how well-known categories of 'land-tenure', namely, the gult/goolt, the gultenya/gooltenya, the rist, the ristenya, the gabbar and related others are categories of a fiscal system of theo-industry, not of an agrarian system or agrarian industry. It is argued how these rather complex categories belong in the realm of wages and pensions of a service-type industry, not in those of agriculture. By failing to establish the functional link between agriculture and the national mission of the rulers, the scholars of Ethiopian studies have so far been unable to identify this 'elusive' but all-pervasive primary industry of Ethiopia. That in turn, the author argues, has had a rub-off effect in hindering a clear and comprehensive understanding of issues such as poverty and famine. The central topic of this work is the 'identification' of this 'elusive' industry. The study of its evolution, set in historical grounds, of its dynamics and the intricate maze of multi-natured relations is attempted. On this basis, the option of creating an independent (from theo-industry), and more importantly, renewable agricultural industry is proposed as the key to tackling chronic levels of poverty and famine in Ethiopia / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The primary goal of a publicly traded company is to maximise the wealth of its shareholders. This implies that the management of the firm, as agents of the owners, has to manage the firm in such a manner as to create value from every decision taken. Value-based management (VBM) is a management strategy aimed at achieving shareholder wealth creation and is based on the effective management of a set of internal value drivers to maximise wealth creation. The primary objective of the current study is to investigate the quantification of the relationship between internal value drivers and shareholder wealth creation in the Mining sector of JSE listed companies in South Africa. In order to achieve this, the internal value drivers were identified from literature, the necessary financial data was collected and the value drivers as well as actual shareholder wealth were quantified. Revenue growth, operating profitability, capital requirements and weighted average cost of capital (WACC) were identified as the value drivers while total shareholder return (TSR) was identified as the actual shareholder wealth creator. For the purpose of the current study, WACC was excluded from the analysis. By application of linear regression, it was found that revenue growth and operating profitability have a positive, statistically significant effect of TSR. After analysing the effect size, it is however concluded that the effect is not practically significant. These findings concur with similar research in the field of VBM. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

The primary goal of a publicly traded company is to maximise the wealth of its shareholders. This implies that the management of the firm, as agents of the owners, has to manage the firm in such a manner as to create value from every decision taken. Value-based management (VBM) is a management strategy aimed at achieving shareholder wealth creation and is based on the effective management of a set of internal value drivers to maximise wealth creation. The primary objective of the current study is to investigate the quantification of the relationship between internal value drivers and shareholder wealth creation in the Mining sector of JSE listed companies in South Africa. In order to achieve this, the internal value drivers were identified from literature, the necessary financial data was collected and the value drivers as well as actual shareholder wealth were quantified. Revenue growth, operating profitability, capital requirements and weighted average cost of capital (WACC) were identified as the value drivers while total shareholder return (TSR) was identified as the actual shareholder wealth creator. For the purpose of the current study, WACC was excluded from the analysis. By application of linear regression, it was found that revenue growth and operating profitability have a positive, statistically significant effect of TSR. After analysing the effect size, it is however concluded that the effect is not practically significant. These findings concur with similar research in the field of VBM. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

The primary goal of a publicly traded company is to maximise the wealth of its shareholders. This implies that the management of the firm, as agents of the owners, has to manage the firm in such a manner as to create value from every decision taken. Value-based management (VBM) is a management strategy aimed at achieving shareholder wealth creation and is based on the effective management of a set of internal value drivers to maximise wealth creation. The primary objective of the current study is to investigate the quantification of the relationship between internal value drivers and shareholder wealth creation in the Mining sector of JSE listed companies in South Africa. In order to achieve this, the internal value drivers were identified from literature, the necessary financial data was collected and the value drivers as well as actual shareholder wealth were quantified. Revenue growth, operating profitability, capital requirements and weighted average cost of capital (WACC) were identified as the value drivers while total shareholder return (TSR) was identified as the actual shareholder wealth creator. For the purpose of the current study, WACC was excluded from the analysis. By application of linear regression, it was found that revenue growth and operating profitability have a positive, statistically significant effect of TSR. After analysing the effect size, it is however concluded that the effect is not practically significant. These findings concur with similar research in the field of VBM. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

Companies are faced with challenges constraining the achievement of set budgets, goals, profit and cost of product, to name a few, on a daily basis. These challenges influence value creation and sustainable value creation. Value-based management is an integrated management tool which may assist in achieving sustainable value creation within a company. Achieving sustainable value creation will result in benefits for both the shareholders and the various stakeholders. In 2008 and 2009 Eskom, South Africa’s sole electricity provider announced a major shortage of electricity and consequently major price increases. Since electricity consumption is a crucial part of the production process, this announcement had a devastating effect on mining companies. The primary objective of the current study is to investigate whether a local mining company is focusing on applicable endeavours to overcome the electricity constraint and price hikes in order to sustain value creation. This was done by studying the company’s financial & management reports, public announcements and media coverage, in conjunction with a quantitative study, collecting primary data by using standardised questionnaires distributed among the mining company’s employees. The results from this study indicate that the selected company is focusing on relevant projects to overcome the electricity constraints. Further, the conclusion made from the results of the questionnaires shows that the higher staff levels are more informed and aware of value-based management. It also points out that the lower levels and employees from the production and mining departments are less informed and aware of value-based management. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Companies are faced with challenges constraining the achievement of set budgets, goals, profit and cost of product, to name a few, on a daily basis. These challenges influence value creation and sustainable value creation. Value-based management is an integrated management tool which may assist in achieving sustainable value creation within a company. Achieving sustainable value creation will result in benefits for both the shareholders and the various stakeholders. In 2008 and 2009 Eskom, South Africa’s sole electricity provider announced a major shortage of electricity and consequently major price increases. Since electricity consumption is a crucial part of the production process, this announcement had a devastating effect on mining companies. The primary objective of the current study is to investigate whether a local mining company is focusing on applicable endeavours to overcome the electricity constraint and price hikes in order to sustain value creation. This was done by studying the company’s financial & management reports, public announcements and media coverage, in conjunction with a quantitative study, collecting primary data by using standardised questionnaires distributed among the mining company’s employees. The results from this study indicate that the selected company is focusing on relevant projects to overcome the electricity constraints. Further, the conclusion made from the results of the questionnaires shows that the higher staff levels are more informed and aware of value-based management. It also points out that the lower levels and employees from the production and mining departments are less informed and aware of value-based management. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Après avoir proposé un cadre général des opérations de fusion‐acquisition, notamment en tant que processus créateur de valeur, nous examinons empiriquement les effets de leur annonce au travers de trois essais. Premièrement, nous étudions les réactions intra‐journalières des investisseurs lors d’annonces diffusées aux États‐Unis. Nous trouvons des gains pour la cible, alors que l’impact s'avère neutre pour l’acquéreur. Ces résultats se déroulent dans une activité de marché soutenue, conjointement à une amélioration de la liquidité. Deuxièmement, nous étendons l’analyse aux concurrents des acquéreurs et des cibles. Considérant le marché canadien, la diffusion de l’information affecte négativement leurs rivaux. Troisièmement, nous soulignons les conditions sous lesquelles les dirigeants écoutent les marchés financiers. Analysant un échantillon d’acquisitions françaises, nous montrons que les dirigeants connectés sont plus enclins à réaliser une acquisition en dépit d’une réaction négative des marchés financiers lors de l’annonce. / After providing a general framework of merger‐acquisition, in particular as value‐creating process, we examine empirically the effects of their announcement through three essays. First, we study the intraday market reactions to announcements in the United‐States. We find gains for target firms, while acquiring firms do not earn significant abnormal returns. These results occur in a high trading activity and animprovement of liquidity. Second, we extend the analysis to the competitors of merging firms. Considering the Canadian evidence, the release of information affects negatively their rivals. Third, we study the conditions under which managers are more willing to listen to investors. Analyzing a sample of French acquisitions, we find that the well‐connected managers are more likely to complete a deal in spite of a negative market reaction on acquisition announcement.